GKS-U 2025 Apostille Guide: Required Docs & Process

Learn Korean With Us
Aug 24
4 min read

If you're applying for the Global Korea Scholarship Undergraduate (GKS-U) 2025, one of the most important — and often misunderstood — steps is getting your documents apostilled.

Failure to apostille even one required document can lead to immediate disqualification, no matter how strong the rest of your application is.

If you've searched for:

What is apostille for GKS?
How to apostille GKS documents in India?
Do I need apostille for GKS 2025?
Apostille vs notarization for Korean scholarship

You're in the right place.

This guide will cover:

✅ What apostille means (and why GKS requires it)

📑 Which GKS-U 2025 documents require apostille

📍 Step-by-step apostille process in India

💼 Best apostille service for GKS applicants (LKWU,duh!)

⚠️ Mistakes that can get you rejected

📌 What Is an Apostille? Why Is It Required for GKS?

An apostille is a government-issued certificate that confirms a document’s authenticity for international use. It's a standardized process under the Hague Apostille Convention, which both India and South Korea are members of.

In the context of the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS-U), the NIIED (National Institute for International Education)requires that all academic documents (like transcripts and graduation certificates) be apostilled to prevent document fraud and to verify that your records are legitimate and recognized by your home country’s government.

🔍 Common GKS Applicant Questions:

Is apostille mandatory for GKS?
✅ Yes — Apostille is the gold standard for verification.
Who issues apostille in India?
✅ The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India.
Is notarization enough for GKS?
❌ No — notarization is not accepted unless explicitly allowed by the Korean embassy. Always follow NIIED's official apostille guidelines.

📋 Documents That Must Be Apostilled for GKS-U 2025

Here is a GKS-specific checklist of documents that must be apostilled:

📄 Document	Apostille Needed?	Why
Applicant's Birth Certificate/Voter ID/Family Register	✅ Yes	Apostille if used as citizenship proof
Parent 1's Voter ID/Death Certificate	✅ Yes	Apostille if used as citizenship proof
Parent 2's Voter ID/Death Certificate	✅ Yes	Apostille if used as citizenship proof
High School Graduation Certificate (or certificate of expected graduation)	✅ Yes	Proof of education qualification
Final High School Mark Sheets / Transcripts	✅ Yes	Academic performance verification
🛂 Passport (Applicant)	❌ No	Submit a photocopy
📝 Recommendation Letter	❌ No	Must be sealed and original, but not apostilled
🧑‍🎓 Personal Statement & Study Plan	❌ No	Typed and signed only
🎓 Language Proficiency Certificates (TOPIK/IELTS/TOEFL)	❌ No	Submit official copies
🩺 Medical Form	❌ No	Required after final selection, not for initial round

⚠️ Do NOT apostille original document except affidavit.

Apostille for South Korea is valid only on scanned copies which are stamped to become officially certified true copies.

🕐 When to Start Apostille Process?

Start your apostille process as soon as:

Once you make up your mind after Class 12 results are out
You have your final mark sheet and certificate in hand or get a certificate of excpected passing from your school

📅 Ideal time: July to August (for September–October GKS application)

🇮🇳 How to Apostille Documents in India (Standard Way)

Here’s the usual process for apostille in India:

State-level attestation (if required) — for state board students
Submit to MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) through an authorized agency
Wait for processing (7–15 business days)
Collect documents and prepare multiple attested copies

Sounds simple? Not really.

Many students face:

Long queues at government offices
Confusion over required stamps
Lost documents during courier
Delays in apostille delivery
Poor tracking or communication

💼 Why LKWU Apostille Services Is the Best Option for GKS-U

LKWU Apostille Services is one of the most reliable and student-friendly apostille facilitators for Indian students applying abroad, including GKS-U.

✅ Top Reasons to Use LKWU for GKS

Feature	Why It Matters
📍 Pan-India Delivery	We offer delivery anywhere in India, saving you travel time.
⏱️ Fast Turnaround	Apostille completed in 5 working days (priority available within same day)
🔒 Safe Document Handling	Insured courier, proper tracking, and confirmation at every stage
💬 Student Support	Dedicated team for GKS-U applicants who understand specific embassy/university requirements
🧾 Scanned Copies	They'll provide scanned copies for safekeeping.
💰 Transparent Pricing	Fixed rates, no hidden charges

💬 Real Student Reviews

“Used LKWU for GKS 2024. Fast, professional, and they handled translation for me as well. Got my documents in 2 days!” — Sakshi, Delhi

“They knew exactly what NIIED wants. Didn’t have to explain anything. Smooth delivery.” — Arjun, Hyderabad

💡 Pro Tips: GKS Apostille Best Practices

Searching for "how to apostille documents for GKS" or "apostille requirements for Korean scholarship 2025"? Here’s what you need to know:

✅ Don’t wait till the last week, some documents need extra time for verification

✅ Apostille only final, scanned copies, clean, color scanned PDFs work best

✅ Keep 5–6 color photocopies for embassy/university submission

✅ Follow the official GKS checklist and format (label all files in English)

✅ Track your deadlines, Embassy Track usually closes by mid-September

The apostille step is where many GKS-U applicants struggle and some get disqualified. Avoid this mistake by using a reliable, experienced apostille service like LKWU. It saves you time, ensures compliance with Korean embassy rules, and provides peace of mind when every document counts.