Korean Job Discussion Forums

[seoul101]

I know there are a few threads that touch on this topic, but I'd like to hear from anyone who has successfully gone through the process.

I've read the guidelines at http://ukinrok.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/22531103/korean-degree-cert-notice but am curious if there is an easier way of going about it, or whether immigration will accept anything less.

Looking to extend my E2 visa by the way...

Thanks.

[morrisonhotel]

That sounds a rather overly difficult way of doing things.

Step 1: Send your degree home and get someone to take it to a solicitor's office to have it notarised/certified. Maximum cost = 10 quid.

Step 2: Have them forward it to the FCO for the apostille. They will process it and return it to you in Korea for an extra fee.

That's much simpler and is accepted by immigration. It certainly used to be possible to do the certification stage at the British Council in Seoul then forward it to the FCO yourself. I don't know where the embassy comes in to it. The BC used to just copy it and certify it themselves. Seems like they've added an extra step just to make some more money or perhaps immigration no longer accepts a BC certified copy. I'd suggest probably the former.

[seoul101]

What you're suggesting does sound easier

Will a solicitor certify a copy of my degree or will I need to mail the original?

[morrisonhotel]

[plato's republic]

I recently went through the same process and posted about it in another thread. You can go through the BC in Seoul, but once they've contacted your university and confirmed that you actually graduated, you'll then have to go to the embassy to get your degree(s) copied and signed, before taking it to the BC for another stamp/signature. Once that's done you'll be ready to send your copy off to the FCO. I'm not sure why the embassy's been involved, it may be down to immigration, but it's not cheap. It shouldn't take more than a week or so to get it all done.

[missty]

I've just gone through this whole process last week, and I did not do anything in that link.

You will need to send the original degree to the UK, because the solicitor wont sign the copy without seeing the original first. It cost me a fiver at my local solicitors.

Then, send it to the FCO. You will need the fee (mine was a postal order, but you can do it online), the application form, a blank envelope (for return postage) and the stamped document.

I paid 25 pounds for return postage to Korea and it got here in less than a week. It was seriously simple. You can find all the information (with application forms/online payment) here:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/what-we-do/services-we-deliver/legal-services/Legalisation/030-Links/010-How-to-apply/)

As an extra note: When I contacted the embassy about doing the certification, they refused. They told me that they can give you a letter saying that it is the original, but this was refused by my company as it looked terrible! (It really did.) I know the British Council is slightly different, but I thought that I would mention it anyway.