A University Diploma is a requirement by the Korean government to teach English in South Korea. Applicants will need to obtain an apostilled photocopy of their diploma to submit with their Final Documents Package for each program.
University Diploma Requirments
The University Diploma must be obtained from a 3-4 year bachelors degree program at an accredited College or University. University Diplomas obtained from an online university are accepted as long as it an accredited school.
Undergraduates & Individuals Completing their Degree
Those that have not graduated can still apply to the teaching programs in South Korea. You must however obtain a Letter of Intent to Graduate from their university’s admissions office. The letter must be printed on official school letterhead, state your anticipated graduation date, state the expected date that you will receive your diploma, and contain a ink signature by an office official or an official school stamp.
Photocopy, Notorization, & Apostille
Only a photocopy of your diploma is needed and not the original certificate. The photocopy will need to be notorized at a notary public or by a notarization official. To do so, take your original certificate to a notary public and have the notary official make a copy of your diploma. They will then notarize the copy and you will need to fill out a “Sworn Oath” form, where you will write a sentence that says the original document is real and authentic” and then sign your name. Your document may be rejected if your notarization does not include the Sworn Oath form.
After getting the photocopy of the diploma notorized, individuals will need to submit the notorized photocopy to their state’s secretary of state for apostille. Individuals do not need to obtain a federal apostille for this document.
Hello,
I have been told by the staff at the school which hired me that I need to send my original diploma with an apostille. However, I have only one and from my research (including this post) have gathered that the original is not nescessary for immigration. How should I handle the situation since my school insists on the original? Thanks!
Hi Rachel,
We believe your school meant to obtain an apostille stamp on a copy of diploma. Please try to contact Korvia recruiter so he/she can explain about the regulations.
Best way to get diploma notarized while living in Korea without traveling home to do so? ^^
Hi, I was wondering the same thing as Brad above. How do you get your diploma appstille while in Korea without having to go back to the states? Does the U.S consulate in Korea handle such cases?
Hi Grace,
We suggest you contact Monument Visa service, they can help you to obtain Apostille while you are in South Korea.
https://www.monumentvisa.com/korvia-consulting.html
Hi,
my university is being a pain and won’t alllow me to get my degree until after the deadline to submit for EPIK (I will be graduating this year). I was wondering if EPIK and other programs needs it at a certain time because of the visa or are there other reasons?? I’ve already obtained my f4 Visa. I can still get the diploma to them but just not by the deadline.
Hi,
This is probably a silly question but a lot of recruiters have been giving me the run around with a direct answer so I’m still extremely confused. I’m from South Africa and I have a Diploma, unfortunately there is no degree option for my exact course so I cannot study it further. Could you please tell me what else I can do to come to Korea?
Thank You
Hello,
I just noticed that my diploma has the wrong date for the graduation. However the transcript has the right one. Will this be a problem?
My notary signed and notarized that it was a legitimate copy of my diploma.
As for my “sworn oath” is that a separate document I have to sign or is my sworn oath signature on the copy of the diploma its self?
thanks
thanks for sharing this such an amazing post
Hello,
I have a question about the Sworn Oath form. Is this separate form that has to be notarized or can I just write something above where the notary stamps? Does the notary have to sign this sworn oath separately from their notary check?
Does the sentence need to say “This is a notarized copy of my real and authentic diploma from “University Name”
Thank you
Hello LW,
Please notarize on your photocopy of the diploma only. Immigration office does not require notarization on your original diploma.
Hi,
I am a bit confused on starting the notorization of my diploma. I read elsewhere that I need to have the copy of my diploma certified by an official at my educational institution attesting that the document is an official record or true copy first. Here and other places it says to start the process by getting the copy notarized at a notary public. Which way do I start the process?
Thank you!
Muna! Hi, I just did this yesterday. And so far it seems you just need to bring your original (I also brought photocopies of it that I got at Office Depot for $0.71 a copy). I brought that to a UPS store that does notarizing. The guy made his own photocopy however and notarized that one. I’m getting it apostilled at my State Secretary today. I called ahead and for my state all I need to bring is the original and the notarized copy. The lady I spoke with also told me that they can do it same day right in front of you and it’ll cost me around $15. Soooo beware! There are a lot of third party places that say they can do this for you, for a sizable fee. Call ahead once you’re ready to get it apostilled and you might save yourself some time and money :). God bless you I hope your process goes well!
Hello!
I have 2 questions regarding my degree certificate.
I studied a Ba hons and passed. However my degree was a 2-year ‘accelerated’ degree, meaning I did the same number of units as a regular 3-year course, but condensed into 2 years. Will this suffice?
Also, on my certificate I have a shortened first name. Will this be a problem?
Thanks in advance!
Hello!
I am currently in my final year of university. Due to how my university processes diplomas, I will only receive my physical diploma further down the line.
My university is able to provide a Letter of Completion. Would this still be acceptable or would it be recommended to wait until I receive the physical and official diploma?
Thank you for your time!
Due to visa rules and regulations, you are required to submit an apostille of your university diploma.
If you will not be getting your physical diploma until later on, we recommend waiting to apply for a teaching position until you have been able to secure the letter the diploma.
Hello, Do I have to have a bachelor degree from specific countries? I am a citizen of Canada but my bachelor degree is from another country….. would that be accepted? Would it be possible to get an equivalent here in Canada? Thank you for your time and reply.