Choosing a school is the biggest decision for an international student, because it affects both visa screening and later part-time work. Korea has no official "visa ranking", but the government runs an evaluation system you should know: IEQAS (교육국제화역량 인증제, International Education Quality Assurance System), operated by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Justice.
What is IEQAS?
IEQAS evaluates schools that enroll international students, both degree and Korean-language programs. It aims to raise schools' internationalization capacity and reduce illegal stays and dropouts. Criteria include the share of students staying illegally, admissions practices, student support, tuition payment rate (80% or higher), dropout rate, language proficiency and student satisfaction.
Three groups to tell apart
1. Certified schools. According to Korea.net, the 2024 evaluation certified 158 colleges and graduate schools and 103 language programs. Certified schools get easier visa screening, preferential treatment at study-in-Korea fairs and extra points for the GKS scholarship. According to reports in September 2026, students at certified schools are also allowed more part-time hours during the semester.
2. Excellent certified universities (우수인증대학). The announcement of 12 February 2026 named 39 institutions: 32 four-year universities, 2 junior colleges and 5 graduate schools. This is the top grade in the 4th evaluation cycle. Students get even simpler visa screening (reportedly only a standard certificate of admission is needed, which may shorten the time) and the school gets extra points when hosting GKS recipients. Examples named in the press: Konkuk, Kyung Hee, Keimyung, Dongguk, Busan University of Foreign Studies, Sungshin Women's, Sejong, Jeju National, Chung-Ang, Hanyang and Hongik. Each school's certification is valid until about February 2027. See the official sources below for the full list.
3. Schools with visa restrictions. In February 2026 the two ministries published a list of schools restricted from issuing student visas, applying from the September 2026 semester for one year.
- Degree programs (D-2), 16 schools: Geumgang University, Suwon Catholic University, Joong-Ang Sangha University, Hyupsung University, Busan Kyungsang College, Busan Arts College, Hanyeong University, The Salvation Army Graduate University for Officer Training, Transnational Law and Business University, Nungin University, Bible Baptist Theological Seminary, Sunbokeum Theological Seminary, Ezra Bible Institute for Graduate Studies, Healing & Counseling Graduate University, Korea Counseling Graduate University and Hapdong Theological Seminary.
- Language programs (D-4), 4 schools: Daegu Haany University, Sangji University, Howon University and Mokpo Science University.
Schools that miss the standards (for example a high illegal-stay rate) also face stricter visa screening of language ability and finances.
Coming reforms
The Education Ministry announced a new strategy in September 2026: international students have passed 300,000. Key points:
- Schools that are not certified, or are judged to carry financial or operational risk for two years in a row, will face limits on issuing student visas and a cap on international freshman enrollment.
- The current IEQAS remains in effect until 2028, and a revamped version applies from 2029 to 2032.
- Tighter oversight of study-abroad agencies, with a standard school-agency contract expected in the second half of 2026 that bans false advertising and requires schools to refund tuition if admission is canceled over visa problems.
How to check before choosing
- Open Study in Korea (studyinkorea.go.kr) and look at "우수 인증 대학" for the certified list.
- Check whether the certification covers all campuses or only the main one, as some campuses are evaluated separately.
- Compare with the list of schools under visa restrictions from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Justice.
- Ask the school about programs, tuition, dormitories and part-time work, then compare with your own documents (see our articles on visa documents and part-time work).
- Be careful with agencies promising "guaranteed visa" or "easy-screening schools".
Notes
- IEQAS is a standards certification, not an academic ranking. A school that ranks high in other university rankings does not necessarily get easier visa screening.
- Easier screening does not guarantee approval, because your financial and education documents are still reviewed.
- Lists change every year. Check the latest official sources and ask the school or a Korean mission directly.
Note: this article is for reference and is not legal advice.
Sources: Korea JoongAng Daily, "20 Korean universities face visa restrictions for international students"; Korea JoongAng Daily, "Korea shifts international student focus from quantity to quality" (8 Sep 2026); Korea.net, "158 colleges accredited for int'l education quality assurance" (25 Feb 2025); Asia Business Daily, Keimyung University (12 Feb 2026); Study in Korea, 우수 인증 대학. The cover photo is copyrighted by NEWS1. This English version was compiled by Cẩm Nang Hàn Quốc.
