Essential Guide to Apostille Attestation for Pakistani Students for Korea Study

Apostille attestation is essential for verifying the authenticity of documents when they are used internationally. It ensures that your documents are legally recognized in foreign countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention.

Why Do You Need Document Attestation?

Attestation verifies your documents’ authenticity for foreign governments. Korea requires attested educational and personal documents to process visas, admissions, or job applications.

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Which documents need to be attested?

1. Original Graduation Certificate

2. Original Transcript

3. Original Family Relationship Certificate

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Step by Step Guide

1. Attest Matric/FSC Certificates from IBCC

   1. What to do: Take your original Matric (O-Level) and FSC (A-Level) certificates to the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC).

   2. IBCC will verify and attest these documents, converting them into Pakistan’s equivalence certificates.

IBCC Step

1. Create an Online Account: Visit the IBCC portal (www.ibcc.edu.pk) and sign up to create an account.

2. Submit the Online Application: Fill out the required fields including your personal information, educational details, and the purpose of attestation.

3. Pay the Fee: Submit the attestation fee through the specified banks. The fee is generally PKR 400 per original document and PKR 200 for photocopies.

3. Submit Documents: Take the original documents, photocopies, and the fee receipt to an IBCC office or send them via approved courier services.

4. Verification Process: The IBCC will verify the certificates with the issuing boards, which typically takes 3-5 working days.

5. Collection of Attested Documents: You can collect your attested documents in person or have them delivered through courier.
   

Tip: Carry 2-3 photocopies and your original CNIC.

2. HEC Attestation for Higher Education Degrees (For Bachelor’s, Master’s, MPhil, PhD)

   1. What to do: Take your original Original degree + transcripts to the Inter Board Higher Education Commission (HEC).

   2. HEC will verify and attest these documents, converting them into Pakistan’s equivalence certificates.

   3. HEC Step

      1. Create an Account on HEC e-Portal: Visit HEC e-Services and sign up.

      2. Fill Out the Online Application: Provide details about your degree, personal information, and purpose of attestation.

      3. Upload Documents: Scan and upload all required documents, including degrees, transcripts, and certificates.

      4. Appointment Scheduling: Select a date and HEC center (Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, etc.) for your attestation.

      5. Payment of Attestation Fee: The fee for attesting original degrees is PKR 1000 per document and PKR 700 for photocopies.

      6. Visit the HEC Office: On the day of your appointment, visit the HEC office with your original documents and the paid fee receipt.

      7. Collection of Attested Documents: After verification, the attested documents are returned the same day or by mail.
         

3. MOFA Attestation for All Documents

   1. What to do: Submit your IBCC/HEC-attested Matric/FSC certificates and original FRC (from NADRA) to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

      1. Office: MOFA headquarters in Islamabad or regional offices in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta.

   2. MOFA will add an attestation stamp/Apostille, confirming the documents are valid for international use. Note: Fees apply! Keep cash ready.

      
      

4. Korean Embassy Attestation

   1. What to do: Take your MOFA-attested documents (Matric/FSC certificates + FRC) to the Korean Embassy in Islamabad/Karachi.

   2. Submit them for final attestation. The embassy will stamp the original documents.

      
      

5. Create “True Copy” Substitutes (Most Important!)

   1. Why: You can’t submit original attested documents to Korean institutions.
      

   2. What to do:

      1. Make color photocopies of your embassy-stamped original documents.

      2. Return to the Korean Embassy and request a “True Copy” stamp on these color copies.

      3. These stamped copies will be accepted as official originals in Korea.

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Document-Specific Roadmap

Documents	Steps
Degree Certificate	HEC → MOFA → Korean Embassy
O/A-Level	Education Board → IBCC → MOFA → Korean Embassy
Transcripts	Education Board/University → IBCC → MOFA → Korean Embassy
FRC	MOFA → Korean Embassy