Jecheon has 1,101 students with student (D-2) status and 420 with language training (D-4) status, 1,521 students in all (as of the end of June 2026). That is about one in every three foreign residents of Jecheon. If you want to work and live in Jecheon after finishing your studies, learn in advance what you must follow while studying and what paths are open after graduation.
Extending your stay while studying
- Your period of stay is granted in line with the semester, and you must extend it before it expires (you can apply from 4 months before the expiry date).
- Your grades, enrollment status and financial situation are checked. If you take a leave of absence or have poor grades or attendance, your extension may be granted for a shorter period or may be difficult to get.
- For language trainees (D-4), the attendance rate is especially important.
What you must follow
- Reports within 15 days: if you move, report your change of address (this applies even if you only change dormitory rooms), and if you change schools, report it
- Always get permission before part-time work: you must get your school's confirmation and receive a part-time employment permit before you start working. Keep to the permitted hours and places.
- No delivery or courier riding: of the 734 foreign nationals caught doing illegal delivery work from January to May 2026, 410 were international students. If you are caught, you must pay a fine, and if it happens again, you may be ordered to leave the country.
October 2026 announcement: upcoming changes
On October 7, 2026, the Ministry of Justice announced a plan to improve the visa system for international students.
- Exemption from proving financial ability for those with TOPIK level 4 or Korea Immigration and Integration Program (KIIP) level 4 or higher
- Part-time work permit requirements to focus on Korean language, with the standard raised to KIIP level 3 (applied after a grace period)
- The period of the post-graduation job-seeking visa (D-10) to differ depending on Korean language ability
This is not yet a finalized law but a plan being pursued. For details, see Student visas for international students are changing.
Ways to stay in Jecheon after graduation
| Route | For people who |
|---|---|
| Job seeking (D-10) | are looking for a job after graduation |
| Specially designated activities (E-7) | have a confirmed job in an occupation related to their major |
| Region-specific outstanding talent (F-2-R) | want to live and work in Jecheon. Requires a local government recommendation and meeting degree and income requirements |
Nationwide statistics show that 55.1% of international students who completed an associate degree stayed in Korea after graduation by changing to an employment, residence or permanent residence status. Because it is difficult to go directly from language training (D-4) to a work visa, students usually move on to a degree program (D-2) and then prepare for life after graduation.
Chungcheongbuk-do (Chungbuk) is taking part in the 2025–2026 wide-area visa (study) pilot project. From 2027, the Ministry of Justice plans to reorganize the wide-area visa around regional industries, giving opportunities first to international students already in Korea, and to give wide-area-visa international students who find jobs in the region after graduation an advantage when switching to a work visa (E-7).
Jecheon Bareun Visa can help
- Foreign resident registration, extensions of stay and reports of change of address on your behalf
- Applications for part-time employment (part-time work) permits
- Applications to change to D-10, E-7 or F-2-R before and after graduation, and preparing F-2-R recommendation application documents
- Guidance on the procedures needed when you transfer schools or go on to further study
We do not introduce jobs or part-time work. We first review the visa requirements and give you accurate guidance on the documents and procedures you need. You can Book a visit to see us near Semyung University and Daewon University, or leave a question via Ask a question.
Related article: Jecheon is a population decline area: region-specific visas
Sources
- Ministry of Justice explores shifting visa policy from "attracting" to "growing" international students, preparing for the era of 400,000 international students — Ministry of Justice press release, 7 Oct 2026.
- "Understanding international students through data": an analysis of international students' stay and settlement — Ministry of Justice press release, 7 Sep 2026.
- Wide-area visa system fully reorganized around regional industry and regional settlement — Ministry of Justice press release, 24 Aug 2026.
- 734 foreign riders caught over 5 months making illegal deliveries with 'other people's accounts' — Ministry of Justice press release, 7 Jul 2026.
- Ministry of Justice Immigration and Foreign Policy Monthly Statistics, June 2026 (법무부 출입국·외국인정책 통계월보)
The information above is as of the date of the Ministry of Justice press release. Actual requirements must be checked against the laws and guidelines in effect when you apply. If you have any questions, please leave them via Ask a question.