Before You Read: Official Facts vs. Reported Details
This guide separates what is confirmed by the government and by the Korea Times report on the 2026 results from what comes from secondary summaries. The headline figures (181 certified universities, 20 universities under strict visa screening, a one-year restriction from the fall 2026 semester) come from the Education Ministry’s February 12, 2026 announcement as reported by the Korea Times. The names of all 20 restricted institutions beyond the four the Korea Times lists come from a Korean consultancy’s summary of the joint press release, so treat that table as reported, not official, and verify it against the ministries’ own notice. Certification status is reviewed every year, so always check the latest list before you pay a fee.
Introduction: The Check Most Applicants Skip
Most students choose a Korean university by ranking, tuition or a consultancy’s recommendation. Far fewer check the one government designation that can decide whether their visa process is smooth or blocked: IEQAS, the International Education Quality Assurance System. The designation affects how your visa is screened, how many hours you can work part-time, whether a university can host Global Korea Scholarship recipients, and, for a small group of institutions, whether they can bring in new international students at all.
In February 2026 the Ministry of Education announced its latest results. Certified universities rose to 181, and 20 institutions, 16 degree-program universities and four Korean-language institutions, were placed under strict visa screening, effectively barring them from issuing student visas for a year from the fall 2026 semester. For a Nepali student paying tuition upfront, an offer from the wrong institution can be an expensive mistake.
This guide explains what IEQAS is, how the tiers work, what certification gives you, what the restrictions mean, and how to verify any university yourself.
Quick Answer
- IEQAS is the joint Ministry of Education and Ministry of Justice system that rates how well universities recruit and manage international students.
- Certified universities get simplified visa screening, extra weekday part-time hours and preference as Global Korea Scholarship hosts. The 2026 results list 181 certified degree-program universities, up from 158 the previous year, and 123 language-program institutions.
- 39 universities carry the higher “excellent certified” designation.
- 20 institutions (16 degree-program and four language) are under strict visa screening, meaning they generally cannot issue student visas for one year from the fall 2026 semester.
- Check the official list, on the Study in Korea website, for the right program type and campus, before you pay anything.
What Is IEQAS?
IEQAS stands for International Education Quality Assurance System, known in Korean as the education internationalization capability certification system. The Education and Justice ministries have carried out joint annual evaluations of universities’ internationalization capacity and foreign-student management since 2012, according to the Education Ministry.
The Study in Korea portal describes certification as granted to universities that meet both basic requirements and evaluation criteria in areas such as strategy and recruitment, student support, and management and outcomes for international students. In practice, the government is asking one question of each institution: can it recruit international students responsibly, teach and support them well, and keep them in legal and academic good standing?
What the Evaluation Looks At
| Area | Examples |
|---|---|
| Recruitment and admissions | Screening quality and recruitment strategy |
| Korean-language education | Qualifications of Korean-language tutors and satisfaction with Korean-language courses |
| Student management | Illegal stay rates among foreign students |
| Support and outcomes | Student support services and career support |
The Korea Times reports that in the latest evaluation cycle the government revised the system to reduce administrative burdens on universities during the assessment while strengthening sanctions against institutions with inadequate admissions screening and career support.
Degree Programs and Language Programs Are Listed Separately
This matters for Nepali applicants. The Study in Korea site publishes separate lists for degree programs and Korean-language programs. A university can appear on one list and not the other, so a student applying for a D-4 language program must check the language list, while a D-2 degree applicant must check the degree list.
The Tiers: From Excellent to Strict Screening
The labels have varied between cycles, but the 2025 evaluation, effective in 2026, produced the following picture.
| Status | What It Means | How Many (Degree Programs Unless Noted) |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent certified | Certified, with outstanding internationalization capacity | 39 |
| Certified | Meets the standards; relaxed visa screening and other benefits | 181 in total, including the 39 excellent |
| Not certified | Not on the list; no certification benefits, though not restricted | The rest |
| Consulting tier | A group reported by a consultancy summary as receiving guidance; reported as 13 universities | Reported figure |
| Strict visa screening | Cannot issue student visas for one year, except in extraordinary circumstances | 16 degree-program universities, plus 4 language institutions |
The Korea Times uses the phrase “universities requiring strict screening on visa issuance” for the restricted group. Media, agents and social media often call these “blacklisted” universities, but that is not the official term.
2026 Results at a Glance
| Measure | 2026 Announcement |
|---|---|
| Certified universities (degree programs) | 181, up from 158 |
| Certified Korean-language institutions | 123, up from 103 |
| Excellent certified universities | 39 |
| Strict-screening institutions | 20: 16 degree-program and 4 language |
| Restriction period | One year from the fall 2026 semester |
| International students in Korea (2024, Education Ministry figure) | About 253,000, up 21% from 209,000 |
Different ministries and years count international students differently, so a later figure above 350,000 reported by the Justice Ministry in 2026 is not a contradiction. Always quote the source and year.
What Certification Gives You
1. Simpler Visa Screening
Certified universities receive relaxed visa screening for the students they admit. Reports on the 2026 results say that students admitted to a certified university can be screened on the strength of a standard admission letter, which makes the process considerably simpler. For Nepali applicants, other steps still apply, including the TB test, MoFA attestation and the Embassy’s document verification and submission process, so ask what your specific file will need. Toddle’s D-2 student visa counselling services explain how those steps fit together.
2. More Part-Time Hours
The Study in Korea portal notes that certified universities benefit from additional allowances for part-time work hours on weekdays. A university international office has published weekly caps of 30 hours for bachelor’s and language students and 35 hours for master’s and doctoral students at certified universities, with weekends and vacations unrestricted, applied since July 2023. Hours also depend on your Korean level and grades, and a work permit is needed before you start, so confirm the current rules with your university.
3. Global Korea Scholarship Hosting
Accredited universities receive preferential consideration when the government selects hosts for Global Korea Scholarship recipients, and the excellent tier gets bonus points in that selection. If you are applying for GKS, the status of your target universities matters.
4. Study Fair Priority and Policy Support
Certified universities are given priority in overseas study fairs. Excellent certified universities also receive simplified visa issuance procedures and preferential consideration in Education Ministry internationalization projects.
5. Better Treatment in Newer Visa Programs
Regional visa pilots have used certification as a filter. Seoul’s draft guideline for the metropolitan visa pilot, for example, excludes universities in the lowest tier, as covered in Toddle’s other guidance on that program.
What Certification Does Not Mean
- It is not a ranking of academic quality, and it does not tell you which program suits you.
- It does not guarantee a visa. Each application is still reviewed.
- It is not permanent. Status is reassessed every year.
- A certified university can still have weak departments, so check your specific program.
The 20 Strict-Screening Institutions
What the Restriction Means
According to the Education Ministry, as reported by the Korea Times, 16 degree-program universities and four Korean-language institutions have been classified as universities requiring strict screening on visa issuance. Except under extraordinary circumstances, they cannot issue student visas for one year, beginning with the fall 2026 semester. In effect, a student who receives an offer from one of these institutions generally cannot get a visa through it during that period.
The Korea Times names four of them: Geumgang University, Suwon Catholic University, Joong-Ang Sangha University and Hyupsung University.
The Reported List of 20
A Korean consultancy’s summary of the joint press release gives the following breakdown. Treat it as reported. Confirm every name against the ministries’ official notice, since English translations of institution names vary.
| Category | Institutions (as reported) |
|---|---|
| Degree track, general universities (4) | Geumgang University, Suwon Catholic University, Joong-Ang Sangha University, Hyupsung University |
| Degree track, junior colleges (3) | Busan Kyungsang University, Busan Arts College, Hanyeong College |
| Degree track, graduate schools (9) | Salvation Army Officer Training University, International Law and Business University, Nungin Graduate School, Baptist Theological Graduate School, Full Gospel Theological Seminary, Ezra Bible Graduate School, Healing Counseling Graduate University, Korea Counseling Graduate University, Hapdong Theological Seminary |
| Language track, general universities (3) | Daegu Haany University, Sangji University, Howon University |
| Language track, junior colleges (1) | Mokpo Science University |
Together these make 16 degree-program institutions and four language institutions, matching the official totals.
Why Institutions End Up on the List
Reports cite failures to meet mandatory standards for managing international students, including areas such as Korean-language tutor qualifications, illegal stay rates and student satisfaction with Korean-language courses, along with inadequate admissions screening and career support. The restriction is a sanction tied to how the institution manages students, not a judgment of individual students.
What It Means for Nepali Applicants
- Spring 2027 intake: because the restriction runs for a year from the fall 2026 semester, applicants for the next intake should assume a listed institution cannot sponsor new student visas unless an exception applies. Confirm in writing.
- Upfront payments: Nepali D-4 applicants have commonly been asked to prepay a full year of tuition, so a mistake can be expensive. Do not pay until you have verified the institution’s status. Toddle’s D-4-1 code student visa counselling services cover the language-training route.
- Agent claims: an agent saying “this university is fine” is not a substitute for checking the list yourself.
- If you already have an offer from a listed institution: ask the university for its official position in writing, and discuss alternatives before paying or submitting visa documents.
How to Check a University, Step by Step
- Open the official list. Go to the IEQAS page on the Study in Korea website, where certified universities are listed. The National Research Foundation also publishes information, at nrf.re.kr, and the list is provided to Korean overseas missions.
- Choose the right tab. Select Degree Programs for a D-2 application or Korean Language Programs for a D-4 application.
- Search the exact English name. Lists are alphabetical and use capital letters, so look carefully for the university’s exact entry.
- Check the campus. Campuses can be listed separately. The Study in Korea list, for example, shows Konkuk University and Konkuk University Glocal Campus, and Korea University and Korea University (Sejong), as separate entries.
- Check whether it is in the excellent group. Excellent certified universities are separately designated.
- Check the restricted list. Look at the Education Ministry’s announcement for the strict-screening institutions, and compare the names with the reported list above.
- Check the date. The results announced in February 2026 follow the 2025 evaluation. Make sure you are looking at the current list.
- Ask the university in writing. Request confirmation of its current IEQAS status for your program type and of its ability to sponsor your visa.
- Save your evidence. Take dated screenshots of the list and keep the university’s reply.
- Cross-check with the Embassy or a trusted counsellor if anything looks inconsistent.
A Quick Checklist
| Question | Where to Find the Answer |
|---|---|
| Is my university certified for degree programs? | Study in Korea IEQAS list, Degree tab |
| Is my language institute certified for language programs? | Study in Korea IEQAS list, Korean Language tab |
| Is my campus listed separately? | The list entry for that campus |
| Is it an excellent certified university? | The excellent list on Study in Korea |
| Is it under strict visa screening? | Ministry of Education announcement and reports of the 2026 results |
| Can it sponsor my visa for my intake? | The university’s written confirmation |
Examples of Certified Universities
Reports on the 2026 results name universities such as the University of Seoul, Kyungpook National University, UNIST and Sejong University among the 39 excellent certified universities. Other well-known universities, including Korea University and POSTECH, are also described as certified, with Korea University and POSTECH described in one guide as excellent. Because lists change every year, use these only as examples, and always check the current list yourself.
How the October 2026 Reform Plans Connect to Certification
On October 7, 2026, Korea’s Ministry of Justice announced proposed reforms to the student visa system. As reported, they include stricter oversight of weekend, night and online courses created mainly for work, and a plan to suspend visa privileges for departments at certified universities whose operation conflicts with policy goals. The plans also include a registration system for overseas education consultancies, with Korean missions abroad. These are proposals, not final rules, so confirm final details before relying on them. The direction matches the lesson of the 2026 results: certification is not permanent, and institutions that mismanage international students lose benefits.
Choosing a University Beyond the Certificate
Certification is one filter. It does not replace the rest of your decision.
| Factor | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Program fit | Is the department and degree what you want, and is it taught in Korean or English? |
| Language requirement | What TOPIK level or English score does the program need? |
| Total cost | Tuition, housing, insurance and living costs |
| Location | Seoul or a regional city, and the cost and job market that come with it |
| Part-time rules | Your permitted hours and the local job market |
| Support | International office, dormitory, counseling and career support |
| Scholarships | Whether the university hosts or offers funding |
Toddle’s abroad study pathway overview explains how these decisions fit into one plan. Language preparation matters too: building real Korean through the basic Korean language class helps you meet admission requirements and adapt faster once you arrive.
Red Flags and Common Mistakes
| Mistake or Red Flag | Better Approach |
|---|---|
| Trusting an agent’s word that a university is “approved” | Check the official list yourself |
| Checking the wrong program tab | Use Degree for D-2 and Korean Language for D-4 |
| Ignoring campus differences | Check the exact campus entry |
| Using an old list | Use the latest announcement and note the year |
| Paying tuition before verifying status | Verify first, and ask about refunds in writing |
| Assuming “not certified” means “restricted” | They are different, but a non-certified university gets no benefits |
| Assuming “certified” means “best for me” | Check your program, costs and language needs |
| Relying on social media lists | Use the Study in Korea site and ministry announcements |
| Believing promises of guaranteed visas | No university or consultancy can guarantee one |
| Not keeping records | Save dated screenshots and written replies |
Planning Timeline
| Stage | What to Do |
|---|---|
| While shortlisting | Check each university’s IEQAS status and program track |
| Before applying | Re-check the list and ask the university to confirm in writing |
| Before paying tuition or fees | Verify again and confirm refund terms |
| Before visa submission | Confirm that the university can sponsor your visa for your intake |
| After arrival | Learn your part-time rules and register for your Residence Card on time |
| Each year | Check whether your university’s status changes |
Toddle’s guide on what not to do in Korea covers the legal boundaries on work permits and other rules that apply once you are enrolled.
How Toddle Helps
Choosing a university is easier when someone checks the official lists with you and explains what the status means for your visa file. Toddle, based on School Road, Hetauda-4, Makawanpur, helps Nepali students shortlist universities, prepare the visa file and build Korean-language skills. Instruction is led by founder Madhab Sapkota, a TOPIK Level 6 holder and certified Korean-language instructor, and you can read about the approach in why choose Toddle. Students who want to move on from the basics can continue with the advance Korean language class.
No consultancy can guarantee a visa or a place at a particular university, because those decisions rest with the university and the Korean authorities. What a good consultancy can do is help you verify the facts yourself. For a broader look at the national picture, the Korea Times report on the 20 universities placed under visa curbs is a useful starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does IEQAS stand for?
International Education Quality Assurance System, the education internationalization capability certification run by Korea’s Education and Justice ministries.
2. How many universities are IEQAS certified in 2026?
The 2025 evaluation, announced on February 12, 2026, certified 181 degree-program universities, up from 158, and 123 Korean-language institutions.
3. How many are “excellent certified”?
39 universities carry the higher excellent designation.
4. What benefits do certified universities get?
Simplified visa screening, additional weekday part-time hours for students, preferential consideration as Global Korea Scholarship hosts and priority in overseas study fairs.
5. Is IEQAS a university ranking?
No. It rates how well an institution recruits and manages international students, not academic quality.
6. What are “universities requiring strict screening on visa issuance”?
The official category for 20 institutions, 16 degree-program and four Korean-language, that generally cannot issue student visas for one year from the fall 2026 semester, except in extraordinary circumstances.
7. Is that the same as a “blacklist”?
Media and agents use “blacklist,” but it is not the official term. The official wording is strict visa screening.
8. Which institutions are on the strict-screening list?
The Korea Times names Geumgang University, Suwon Catholic University, Joong-Ang Sangha University and Hyupsung University. A consultancy summary reports the full list of 20, which you should verify against the official notice.
9. How long does the restriction last?
One year from the fall 2026 semester.
10. Will my spring 2027 visa be affected if I apply to a listed institution?
You should assume it cannot sponsor new student visas unless an exception applies. Confirm in writing with the university.
11. Where do I check the official list?
On the Study in Korea website, which publishes the IEQAS lists, and the National Research Foundation site.
12. Are degree and language programs checked separately?
Yes. The lists are separate, and a university can appear on one and not the other.
13. Are different campuses listed separately?
Yes. For example, Konkuk University and its Glocal Campus, and Korea University and its Sejong campus, appear as separate entries.
14. How often does the status change?
The evaluation is annual, so status can change every year. Always check the latest list.
15. Does certification guarantee my visa?
No. Each application is reviewed individually.
16. Do certified universities have different part-time hour limits?
A university international office has published caps of 30 hours for bachelor’s and language students and 35 hours for graduate students at certified universities, but confirm current rules and your own eligibility.
17. Does certification affect GKS?
Accredited universities receive preferential consideration as hosts, and excellent universities receive bonus points in host selection.
18. If a university is not on the certified list, is it restricted?
Not necessarily. It simply does not receive certification benefits, and it is separate from the strict-screening list.
19. What should I do if I already paid tuition to a listed institution?
Contact the university about its visa position and refund terms in writing, and seek advice before taking further steps.
20. How is a university evaluated?
On recruitment and admissions, Korean-language education, student support, illegal stay rates and outcomes for international students.
21. Can a consultancy tell me if a university is safe?
A consultancy can help, but you should verify the official list yourself and keep dated evidence.
22. What is the best way to protect myself?
Check the correct program tab on the Study in Korea list, confirm the campus, ask the university to confirm in writing, save your evidence and do not pay until you have verified the status.
Conclusion: Verify Before You Pay
IEQAS has become one of the most practical checks a prospective student in Korea can make. Certification brings simpler visa screening, more flexibility for part-time work and a stronger position in scholarship programs. A restricted designation can stop a university from sponsoring new student visas for a year. The 2026 results show the system tightening: more certified universities, 20 institutions under strict screening and sanctions that have been strengthened for weak admissions and career support.
The safest approach is simple. Check the official list for the right program type and campus, confirm the date of the evaluation, ask the university for written confirmation and keep your records. Treat certification as one filter alongside program fit, language requirements, cost and location, and do not hand over tuition until the facts are verified.
Ready to Check Your University Shortlist?
If you are comparing universities, preparing your visa file or planning your Korean-language study, Toddle’s counsellors can help you verify each institution’s status and build a realistic plan.
Contact Toddle through the contact page, or visit us at School Road, Hetauda-4, Makawanpur. You can also read about Toddle’s D-2 code student visa counselling services to see how university choice and visa planning fit together.
