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Korean Translation: GKS, NIIED, Korean University Student Visa 2026

The National Institute for International Education (NIIED) Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) programme, the Korean Embassy in Delhi visa review, the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA Korea) consular desk, and Korean universities each read Indian documents in Korean or in English. Two GKS-specific handling rules drive how SiZA runs this work: MEA apostille on a notarised true-copy of the degree and transcript (so the Original stays with the applicant for university enrolment), and the family-relationship bundle (birth certificate, parents\' passport copies, joint affidavit) that NIIED accepts in place of a single Indian family-relationship certificate. Regional-language Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal board marksheets run through certified English translation first. Korean translation, where required, runs from the scan.

Korean translation: key facts for 2026

  • NIIED Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) Embassy track (~28 places for India in 2027) and University track (~50 places). Both read apostilled Indian documents in Korean or English translation.
  • GKS-specific rule: apostille on a notarised true-copy of the degree and transcript, not on the Original itself. NIIED keeps the apostilled copy through the application; the Original stays with the applicant for university enrolment after selection.
  • India does not issue a single family-relationship certificate the way Korea does (Gajok Gwangye Jeungmyeongseo). NIIED accepts a bundle: applicant's birth certificate naming both parents + apostilled passport copies of both parents + optional joint sworn affidavit from parents.
  • Regional-language Class 10/12 marksheets (Kerala Malayalam, Tamil Nadu Tamil, West Bengal Bengali, AP/Telangana Telugu, Karnataka Kannada) need certified English translation before MEA apostille.
  • • Translation runs from a scan; the Original Indian document does not travel for translation. The Original travels separately for the MEA apostille leg.
  • Korean Embassy in Delhi is the visa-track desk after GKS or university admission.

Which Korean case do you have, and how does GKS or visa documentation move?

GKS is the most demanding. Korean university files and MOFA Korea use follow the same general logic.

Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

NIIED runs the GKS programme. Indian applicants need apostille on Class 10, Class 12 and degree (where applicable), plus a family-relationship proof bundle that India does not issue as a single document. We coordinate the apostille on a notarised true-copy where appropriate (since NIIED keeps the apostilled copy and the original has to stay with the applicant for enrolment).

Common files: Class 10 / 12, degree, transcripts, parents' passport copies, family-relationship affidavit, language proof.

Korean university student visa

Korean universities pre-screen documents. The visa is the next step. Apostille and English or Korean translation as the institution and the Korean Embassy ask. The Korean Embassy in Delhi reviews the visa file.

Common files: Acceptance letter, degree, transcripts, financial documents, language proof.

Family relationship proof for Korea

Korea uses a Gajok Gwangye Jeungmyeongseo (family relationship certificate) as a single document. India does not issue this as one document. NIIED accepts: applicant's birth certificate naming both parents, apostilled passport copies of both parents, sometimes a joint sworn affidavit from parents declaring the relationship, apostilled. Korean Embassy reviewers may ask follow-up.

Common files: Birth certificate naming both parents, parents' passport copies, joint sworn affidavit.

MOFA Korea consular use

For some Korean consular use (residency, family, work), MOFA Korea may need supporting Indian documents apostilled, with Korean or English translation depending on the case. We coordinate per case.

Common files: Varies by case.

Which Indian documents go to GKS or Korean universities most often in 2026?

Class 10 / Class 12 marksheet for GKS

For Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and other state board candidates, the regional-language marksheet (Malayalam, Tamil, Bengali, Telugu, Kannada) needs certified English translation, with notary handling, attached to the original. Then apostille on the package. NIIED requires English or Korean.

Common risk: Apostille on the regional-language marksheet alone, without the attached English translation, gets bounced at NIIED Embassy review.

Degree certificate

For GKS-Graduate or Korean Masters/PhD university files, degree with HRD attestation (or SDM as document type asks), MEA apostille, English or Korean translation as the institution requires.

Common risk: For GKS specifically, apostille on a notarised true-copy is the safer path (the original stays with the applicant for enrolment).

Family relationship affidavit

Joint sworn affidavit from parents declaring relationship to the applicant. Notary, SDM countersign, MEA apostille, then Korean or English translation.

Common risk: NIIED reviewers sometimes ask for additional family-relationship documents beyond the affidavit. Be prepared with parents' passport copies and the birth certificate.

Birth certificate for Korea

Birth certificate naming both parents. MEA apostille. English certified translation if the source is regional Indian language.

Common risk: Hospital discharge slip is not a birth certificate. The Registrar of Births and Deaths certified copy is.

Parents' passport copies

Parents' passport copies for family-relationship proof. Notary, apostille (where the destination asks).

Common risk: Korean Embassy reviewers may follow up on the validity dates and the passport number references.

What is unusual about NIIED and Korean Embassy documentation in 2026?

Apostille on the notarised true-copy for GKS

NIIED keeps the apostilled copy of the academic document. The original has to stay with the applicant for university enrolment. The safer path is apostille on a notarised true-copy of the original, not on the original itself. Some applicants apostille the original and then lose it in the GKS application process.

Family relationship is multiple documents in India

India does not issue a single family-relationship certificate the way Korea does. NIIED accepts a bundle: birth certificate, parents' passport copies, joint affidavit. Korean Embassy reviewers sometimes ask follow-up questions on this bundle.

Regional-language marksheet needs English first

Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka state board marksheets in regional language need certified English translation attached before MEA apostille. NIIED Embassy review bounces apostille-only-on-regional-language packs.

Korean Embassy in Delhi is the visa desk

After GKS or Korean university admission, the Korean Embassy in Delhi reviews the visa application. Documents need English or Korean translation as the visa officer asks.

How does SiZA handle a GKS or Korean university case end to end?

India-side: regional-language to English translation, notarised true-copy preparation for GKS where appropriate, family-relationship bundle assembly (birth certificate, parents\' passports, joint affidavit), HRD or SDM as document type asks, MEA apostille. Korean translation runs alongside or after.

For the GKS story specifically: SiZA has handled GKS-bound files. The one shared publicly is an anonymised case where flexible support helped a hardship-case student. Customer privacy stays preserved.

What we will not pretend

  • That SiZA is a Korean sworn translator or NIIED partner. We are not.
  • That GKS selection follows our work. Selection sits with NIIED.
  • That a Korean university will admit you. We are not an admissions consultant.
  • That public prices apply.

Frequently asked questions

For GKS, should I apostille the original degree or a notarised true-copy?

Safer path is apostille on a notarised true-copy of the original degree. NIIED keeps the apostilled copy. Your original has to stay with you for the university enrolment after selection. Some applicants apostille the original and lose it in the GKS process.

My Class 10 marksheet is in Malayalam. Will NIIED accept it as is?

No. NIIED requires English or Korean. The order is: certified English translation of the Malayalam marksheet (with notary handling), SDM countersign, MEA apostille on the package. Apostille on the Malayalam-only marksheet without the English translation attached will be bounced at Embassy review.

India does not issue a family relationship certificate. What works for NIIED?

NIIED accepts a bundle: birth certificate of the applicant naming both parents, apostilled passport copies of both parents, and sometimes a joint sworn affidavit from parents declaring the relationship. The bundle has to be apostilled. Korean Embassy reviewers may ask follow-up.

Is SiZA a Korean sworn translator?

No. SiZA itself is not authorised by any Korean court or by MOFA Korea as a sworn translator. We coordinate Korean translation through translators experienced with NIIED and Korean Embassy expectations.

How long does Korean translation take?

Depends on document set and translator queue. Typically 5 to 10 working days for a standard pack. WhatsApp the scan and the GKS or visa deadline for a real turnaround estimate.

Related desks

Reviewed by SiZA Global documentation desk. Last updated 23 May 2026. NIIED requirements, Korean Embassy review and university expectations can change; we re-verify against the receiving authority before accepting each file.

Send the GKS or Korean university documents. We will tell you the order of work.

WhatsApp the document, the GKS or university stage, the deadline. We confirm the regional-to-English step, true-copy apostille, family-relationship bundle and Korean translation.