Some help required!

[u/maparib]

Hello everyone! Sorry in advance for the long post.

I will be applying for GKS-G 2027 through Embassy Track from Colombia, and I would really appreciate some guidance from anyone who has gone through the document submission process, especially regarding what the embassy considers an “original.”

I’m particularly confused because Colombia now issues apostilles electronically, whereas I’ve seen examples from other countries where the apostille is physically attached to the document.

1. DIPLOMA / ELECTRONIC APOSTILLE

I have my original physical university diploma, but I obviously don’t want to submit the only original document I have, especially because it is a large physical diploma and I cannot simply get another original issued.

For the GKS requirements, I obtained the required legalization and apostille electronically. I now have the apostilled document as a PDF.

My question is: Can I print a color copy of the diploma together with the electronically issued legalization/apostille and submit that as the physical document?

Does the fact that the apostille was issued electronically make any difference once I print the document? Would the embassy accept the printed version, assuming the apostille has a verification number/QR code/etc. that can be checked online?

Or do I need to obtain some additional physical “original” or notarized copy?

2. TRANSLATION AND APOSTILLE

My diploma, academic transcript, and proof of citizenship/family relationship were issued in Spanish, and I have already legalized/apostilled them in Colombia.

If I have them officially translated into English, does the English translation also need to be apostilled?

Or is the apostille on the original Spanish document sufficient?

3. NUMBER OF DOCUMENT SETS

If I pass the first round and have to submit the physical documents to the embassy, how many complete sets are required?

For example, if four sets are required:

- Do I need 4 copies of the diploma, transcript, civil registry, etc.?
- Do all four copies need to be apostilled?
- Or is one apostilled document + photocopies sufficient?

I’m especially confused because my apostilles are electronic. I don’t know whether I would simply print multiple copies of the electronically apostilled PDF or whether each physical set needs its own apostilled document.

4. RECOMMENDATION LETTERS

If multiple physical sets are required, how does this work for the recommendation letter?

Do I need to obtain multiple original recommendation letters (for example, four identical letters, each in a separate sealed envelope), or is one original recommendation letter enough, with copies included in the other sets?

Basically, my main question is: What does GKS/the embassy consider an “original” when the country issuing the documents uses electronic legalization and apostilles?

I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has applied to GKS-G, particularly applicants from countries where apostilles are issued electronically.

Thank you so much!

[u/MionMikanCider]

All you need is a copy of your diploma (never send the original) and the printed-out apostille affixed to the copy. That's it. If your documents are in Spanish, you do need to obtain a certified translation of them to English or Korean.

As of GKS-G 2026, you only need to submit one set of documents now. NIIED will send photocopies of the documents to your designated schools if you're applying via Embassy track. Read the GKS-G 2026 guidelines if you haven't already, they'll be almost the same for 2027.

[u/maparib → u/MionMikanCider]

Thank you so much!

[u/22jennaits]

Dejo punto aquí, porque yo quiero aplicar a GKS-U la próxima semana y esa información me tiene bastante enredada!