To apostille documents for a South Korea study visa in India, you need to authenticate your educational and personal documents through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Since South Korea is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, the apostille stamp is sufficient for your documents to be accepted in South Korea for visa processing.
Key Documents for Apostille
- Educational Certificates: Degrees, transcripts, or high school certificates.
- Non-Educational Documents: Birth certificate and Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).
1. Introduction to Apostille for South Korea
For Indian students applying for a South Korea study visa, documents must be apostilled to confirm their authenticity. The apostille ensures the documents are legally recognized in South Korea as both countries are part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
2. Educational Documents for Apostille
Key educational documents requiring an apostille include degree certificates, mark sheets, transcripts, and high school diplomas. These documents demonstrate your academic qualifications for university admission in South Korea.
3. Non-Educational Documents for Apostille
Non-educational documents such as the birth certificate and Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) are essential for the visa process. These documents confirm your identity, age, and good conduct.
4. Notary Attestation
The apostille process begins with notary attestation, where a notary public verifies the authenticity of the documents. This step is mandatory before moving to state-level authentication.
5. Authentication
State-level authorities authenticate documents based on their type:
- Educational Documents: Verified by the State HRD Department.
- Non-Educational Documents: Authenticated by the Home Department or Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM).
6. MEA Apostille
The final step involves the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) affixing the apostille sticker on the documents. This sticker certifies that the documents are valid for international use and acceptable in South Korea.
7. Document Translation
In some cases, South Korean universities or immigration authorities require documents to be translated into Korean. Ensure the translations are certified and accurate.
8. Professional Apostille Services
To simplify the process, professional agencies like INFINITYGRO provide end-to-end apostille services. They handle notary attestation, state authentication, MEA apostille, and even certified translations, ensuring a hassle-free experience for students.