If you have Korean parents or Korean heritage and you want to apply for KAIST scholarship then there are special rules. KAIST treats these applicants differently from regular international students. The main goal is to make sure only true international students get the international track and scholarship.
This post explains the rules in detail. It covers who counts as Korean-origin and what extra documents you need. All facts come from KAIST official guidelines for 2026 admissions.
Special Rules About KAIST Scholarship for Korean-Origin Applicants
Basic Rule for International Track and Scholarship
KAIST international admissions and scholarships are for non-Korean citizens. You must hold foreign citizenship. Korean citizens cannot apply on the international track even if they have dual citizenship.
If you have Korean heritage then you must meet extra conditions to qualify as international. These rules apply to both undergraduate and graduate applications.
Who Counts as Korean-Origin Applicant
You are Korean-origin if one or both parents are or were Korean citizens. This includes people born outside Korea but with Korean family background. KAIST calls them applicants of Korean origin or overseas Koreans.
Normal international applicants must satisfy one of these two things:
- Neither parent is a Korean citizen.
- If you have Korean origin then you must have received your entire education outside Korea.
For undergraduate this means elementary school through high school outside Korea.
For graduate it often means your previous degree was completed abroad but the main focus is on citizenship and parent status.
Special Rules for Korean-Origin Applicants
If you have Korean heritage then follow these steps to be eligible:
- You must not hold Korean citizenship now. Dual citizenship is not allowed for international track.
- Your parents must not hold Korean citizenship at the time of application. Some guidelines say neither parent is a Korean citizen.
- You must prove that you completed your full education outside Korea. For undergraduate this includes elementary junior high and high school.
- Schools in Korea even international schools do not count as foreign education.
If you meet these then KAIST may accept you as international and consider you for scholarship. Scholarship is automatic for admitted international students.
Required Documents for Korean-Origin Applicants
Submit these extra papers to prove your status:
- Certificate of Facts Concerning Entry and Exit. This comes from Korean Immigration Office. It shows all your entry and exit records from birth to now. Get it within two months of application deadline.
- Proof of Loss of Korean Nationality. This includes Family Relation Certificate or document showing you gave up Korean citizenship if you had it.
- Passport copy to show your current foreign citizenship.
- For education proof some cases need school certificates showing you studied abroad.
If records show false information or issues with dual passports then admission can be canceled.
Differences Between Undergraduate and Graduate
Undergraduate has stricter education rules. You need entire elementary to high school outside Korea. Many sources repeat this for undergrad.
Graduate focuses more on citizenship and parent status. Some programs ask for Certificate of Renunciation of Korean Citizenship if you ever had it. But main rule is non-Korean citizen.
Both levels give full scholarship if admitted as international.
What Happens If You Do Not Meet the Rules
If you hold Korean citizenship or dual then you cannot apply as international. You must apply through domestic track if possible but that has different rules and no international scholarship. you can check the complete eligibility criteria here.
If your education was partly in Korea or parents hold Korean citizenship then you may not qualify.
Tips for Applicants with Korean Heritage
Check your family documents early. Contact Korean Immigration for certificates. Upload everything clearly in the online system.
If unsure email KAIST admissions office for your case.
Always go to official KAIST site admission.kaist.ac.kr. Download the 2026 admission guideline PDF there. It has full details.