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Epik_Teacher
Joined: 28 Apr 2010
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 Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 10:28 pm Post subject: Letter to Korean Embassy About Diploma Apostilling |
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The FBI check has pretty well been hashed over, 3 forms; the fingerprint form, request form and the form that you authorize payment by credit card. Takes 3 months, give or take. There is also a link to a checklist to make sure you've completed everything for the Fibbie forms:
http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/forms/checklist.pdf
About the diploma apostille, I sent a letter to the Korean Embassy for information about having diplomas apostilled. There doesn't seem to be any clear information on this issue--at least that I've found. I'm in Korea and have been teaching for several years. I don't have any desire to fly back to the USA to have this minor thing done. So, I emailed them and will post their answer on this thread.
Here is the email:
Korean Embassy, Chicago
To Whom It May Concern,
I am a resident of xxxx who has lived in Korea since 2xxx. I am currently in my xth contract with EPIK in xxxx, Korea. Recently, immigration has made changes to renewing contracts and this concerns having your diploma apostilled instead of using unopened records from the university you graduated from. My question is, my contract is over in FEB 2011, but if I must get it apostilled, should I mail it to your Embassy or where? As I understand it, I cannot get it done in Korea and the closest Korean Consulate to my location is Fukuoka, Japan.
Should I send my diploma/records to your location? Or should I do it in Fukuoka? What is the procedure to do so? The information on the Korean immigration page is sparse, stating only that it must be done. Can someone please give me the proper information and procedures?
Thank you,
Mr. XXXX
XXXX, Korea |
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emilylovesyou
Joined: 14 Oct 2008
Location: here
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| Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 10:39 pm Post subject: |
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Pretty sure this has been covered.
Your school has to contact the Korean Council for University Education. Then your school has to send them a copy of your diploma and a copy of your passport. The council will contact your University and verify you. Then, the Council will attach a note for immigration that says this diploma is ok. All set. |
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aaron.southkorea
Joined: 20 Jan 2010
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 10:41 pm Post subject: |
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nathanrutledge
Joined: 01 May 2008
Location: Marakesh
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| Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 11:00 pm Post subject: |
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Or you call your university and request a copy of your diploma apostilled. They either print out a copy, or you have to provide them a copy (which can be done via email or fax), they stamp their notary on it and then mail it to your secretary of states office. Then, the SOS puts the apostille on it and voila, you're done.
I just did it for myself and a friend. She faxed a copy of her diploma (which is in Korea with her) to the university, they certified it, then i picked it up and took it to the capitol building, had it apostilled and tossed it in the mail. A few extra days and postage, they would have handled all the mailing for her.
No problemo. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 11:19 pm Post subject: |
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| nathanrutledge wrote: |
Or you call your university and request a copy of your diploma apostilled. They either print out a copy, or you have to provide them a copy (which can be done via email or fax), they stamp their notary on it and then mail it to your secretary of states office. Then, the SOS puts the apostille on it and voila, you're done.
I just did it for myself and a friend. She faxed a copy of her diploma (which is in Korea with her) to the university, they certified it, then i picked it up and took it to the capitol building, had it apostilled and tossed it in the mail. A few extra days and postage, they would have handled all the mailing for her.
No problemo. |
ummm,... yes, problemo
After Sept. 1, 2010 this is no longer acceptable to K-immi.
You have 2 choices:
a) K-consulate certified COPY of your degree
b) KCNU verification of your degree.
They will no longer accept an apostilled copy nor will they accept the original degree (with transcripts).
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nathanrutledge
Joined: 01 May 2008
Location: Marakesh
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| Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 11:54 pm Post subject: |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| nathanrutledge wrote: |
Or you call your university and request a copy of your diploma apostilled. They either print out a copy, or you have to provide them a copy (which can be done via email or fax), they stamp their notary on it and then mail it to your secretary of states office. Then, the SOS puts the apostille on it and voila, you're done.
I just did it for myself and a friend. She faxed a copy of her diploma (which is in Korea with her) to the university, they certified it, then i picked it up and took it to the capitol building, had it apostilled and tossed it in the mail. A few extra days and postage, they would have handled all the mailing for her.
No problemo. |
ummm,... yes, problemo
After Sept. 1, 2010 this is no longer acceptable to K-immi.
You have 2 choices:
a) K-consulate certified COPY of your degree
b) KCNU verification of your degree.
They will no longer accept an apostilled copy nor will they accept the original degree (with transcripts).
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I have never brought my diploma to Korea, I've always had an apostilled copy. I just got my new visa, and helped my friend with hers. She is IN Korea WITH her diploma, and had to fax a copy, get it notarized and apostilled in the US, and sent back to her to turn in. She did it, has her visa.
I did the same thing and just got my visa, which will actually have a start date of 5 September, after the new regulations go into effect. I specifically asked immigration about this new rule, if there was anything else I had to do this year OR in the future, they said I was A-OK.
So, Ooh, uh, yeah. I'm going to have to go ahead and sort of disagree with you there. Yeah. Uh.
Do you have a link which shows that ONLY those two options are available? I know that what immigration says and what they publish and what is actually enforced is rarely the same thing. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2010 12:18 am Post subject: |
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| nathanrutledge wrote: |
I have never brought my diploma to Korea, I've always had an apostilled copy. I just got my new visa, and helped my friend with hers. She is IN Korea WITH her diploma, and had to fax a copy, get it notarized and apostilled in the US, and sent back to her to turn in. She did it, has her visa.
I did the same thing and just got my visa, which will actually have a start date of 5 September, after the new regulations go into effect. I specifically asked immigration about this new rule, if there was anything else I had to do this year OR in the future, they said I was A-OK.
So, Ooh, uh, yeah. I'm going to have to go ahead and sort of disagree with you there. Yeah. Uh.
Do you have a link which shows that ONLY those two options are available? I know that what immigration says and what they publish and what is actually enforced is rarely the same thing. |
So you have a start date of Sept 5 and your application was made BEFORE Sept 1?
Still on the old rules.
And it does not say those are the only 2 options but it DOES say that the choices of using an original AND/OR the choice of a copy with an apostille will no longer be accepted (again, always subject to K-immi changing their collective minds and the policy book at some point in the future) AND it DOES state that if you have NOT submitted a K-consulate certified copy then any renew that takes place AFTER Sept 1 WILL require one of the 2 outlined options.
oh, and http://www.immigration.go.kr/
And lastly, I am not immigration and I can be wrong but I wouldn't usually bet against me.
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nathanrutledge
Joined: 01 May 2008
Location: Marakesh
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| Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2010 12:31 am Post subject: |
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Well, I did bet against you (but normally I wouldn't, you're usually on the ball).
http://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/InfoDetailR_en.pt?categoryId=2&parentId=382&catSeq=385&showMenuId=374&visaId=E2
Down the page, under E-2 requirements it lists:
| Quote: |
# A certificate of degree(Applicants may choose one of the following)
- Original copy of the diploma (will be returned to the applicant after making a copy and having it sealed as a legitimate copy)
- Copy of the diploma (verified by the Korean consulate or attached with documents verifying highest education, issued by �Korean Council for University Education�)
- Certificate of academic degree issued by the relevant university. (Affixed with an apostille or attached with documents verifying highest education, issued by domestic verification agency)
- Certificate of graduation that lists acquisition of diploma (Affixed with apostille or attached with documents verifying highest education, issued by domestic verification agency)
※ Nationals of countries that have not signed the apostille treaty must get verification from the local Korean consulate or attach documents verifying highest education, issued by domestic verification agency
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That line "certificate of academic degree" just means a copy of the diploma with the words "This is a copy of a degree awarded by --- on such and such date signed chancellor/dean whatever"
Thanks for the link.  |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2010 1:01 am Post subject: |
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Actually, I WILL EAT HUMBLE PIE.
I had to go back and check it again.
A copy of the degree with an apostille WILL still be acceptable but an original degree will NOT BE.
See highlighted portions below:
Conversation teacher (E-2) related system improvement notice.
1. Aim of improvement.
When first applying for the visa status for the first time, although it takes some time we will verify the qualification thoroughly. After the verification is done the related procedure will be greatly simplified.
2. The details
○ Criminal background check reinforcement
- A criminal backgro | | |
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