Over 31,000 foreign students overstaying visas in Korea: data

The Korea Herald · Lee Seung-ku · 2026-10-23 05:46 UTC

More than 31,000 foreign students who had been issued either D-2 or D-4 visas were staying in South Korea illegally as of August, government data showed Friday.

Nearly 30% of language study visa recipients here illegally, with Vietnamese nationals making up the largest share

More than 31,000 foreign students who had been issued either D-2 or D-4 visas were staying in South Korea illegally as of August, government data showed Friday.

A total of 31,665 foreign students who had entered Korea on undergraduate or language training visas were in Korea without permission as of August, according to Ministry of Justice data obtained by People Power Party Rep. Kim Hee-jung.

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