An apostille is an official certificate issued under the 1961 Hague Convention that authenticates the signature and seal on public documents for use in another member country. Since India and South Korea are both Hague Convention signatories, Indian documents bearing an MEA apostille are legally accepted in South Korea without further embassy attestation.
For Indian students planning to study in South Korea, apostille is commonly required for educational and personal documents submitted to universities, immigration offices, or scholarship authorities. Completing the process correctly and on time is essential to avoid admission or visa delays.
Most South Korean universities request apostilled educational documents, which may include:
Degree certificates (UG, PG, PhD)
10th and 12th certificates and mark sheets
Consolidated mark sheets or transcripts
Provisional degree certificate (if the final degree is not issued)
Migration certificate (if required)
Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate, if English is not mentioned
These typically fall under degree certificate attestation and related educational categories.
Some institutions or visa categories may also ask for:
Birth certificate (for age verification)
Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) attestation, especially for long-term stays
Equivalence certificate (for non-standard qualifications)
Parent ID proofs (Aadhaar or Voter ID), if requested
Always confirm the exact document list with your South Korean university before starting the apostille process.
Ensure all documents are original, clear, and unlaminated
Verify that university-issued documents carry proper seals and signatures
If colour copies are accepted, keep high-quality scanned PDFs ready
For educational documents, verification from the issuing authority or state is often required before MEA apostille.
Educational documents may require university or board verification
State attestation is done by the Home Department or General Administration Department
In some cases, SDM attestation may be accepted as a faster alternative
Documents usually required:
Original certificates
Passport copy
Authorization letter (if applying through an agent)
For strict cases, HRD attestation may be required before apostille.
After state-level verification, documents are submitted to the MEA through authorized centres for apostille.
Apostille is issued as a computer-generated sticker
Confirms document authenticity for international use
Valid in all Hague Convention countries, including South Korea
Processing time varies depending on document type and prior verification status. Professional apostille services in India help reduce delays.
South Korean institutions may require documents in English or Korean.
Documents not in English should be translated by a recognised translator
In many cases, the translated document also needs apostille
Translations must exactly match the original content
Certified document translation services help ensure acceptance.
University-specific rules: Each institution may have its own format or submission requirements
Visa requirements: Apostilled documents are often required for D-2 or D-4 student visas
Submission format: Digital copies may be accepted initially, with physical apostilled documents required later
Always verify requirements with:
The university’s international admissions office
The South Korean Embassy or Consulate in India
Start the apostille process early
Confirm whether apostille is needed on originals or colour copies
Keep multiple scanned copies of apostilled documents
Use secure and trackable courier services
Reconfirm requirements if your intake is deferred
What is the purpose of an apostille?
It authenticates Indian documents for legal acceptance in South Korea.
Do all documents need apostille?
Only documents specifically requested by the university or visa authorities.
Can colour copies be apostilled?
Yes, if the South Korean institution explicitly accepts apostille on colour copies.
How long is an apostille valid?
Apostilles generally do not expire, but institutions may set their own validity timelines.
Getting your documents apostilled correctly is a critical step for studying in South Korea. As requirements vary by university and document type, careful planning and accurate verification are essential.
For end-to-end support, PEC Attestation provides professional assistance for:
State verification
MEA apostille
Educational and personal document processing
Certified translations
For deeper insights, consult PEC Attestation experts to understand:
Country-wise apostille requirements
Document eligibility rules
MEA procedures and timelines