Enrolling a foreign-national child in school — no notice will come
This page is machine translated from Ieumi's guide written in Korean. If the meaning is confusing, please look at the Korean original text. View original text (Korean)
Korean-national children automatically receive an enrollment notice. Foreign-national children do not — the parent must apply to the school directly.
📌 Key points
A child can enroll regardless of immigration status — the right to education is protected even for children without status. If a school refuses, contact the multicultural education support center at your provincial education office. Find your local center through the multicultural education portal; if Korean is difficult, the Danuri line (1577-1366) can interpret.
📍 Where to go
The elementary school for your district (apply to the principal)
⚠️ Things to watch out for
Documents: proof of entry/exit or of alien registration. Without those, a lease contract or other proof of residence can substitute. If the child attended school abroad, bring enrollment and grade records; if there are none, the provincial education office holds a review to determine grade placement.
Basis
- 경기도교육청 「경기도 초등 학적 길라잡이」 (2025-01-06) https://www.goe.go.kr/resource/old/BBSMSTR_000000030136/BBS_202501060143446932.pdf — 외국 국적은 취학통지서 없이 같은 절차로 입학 · 학교장 승낙 · 미등록 아동 입학 허용 · 출입국/외국인등록 사실증명 · 없으면 임대차계약서 등 · 외국 학교 증명서 · 학력심의위원회 (조사원 보고)
- 경상남도교육청 다문화교육 「입학 안내」 https://www.gne.go.kr/multiculture/inform/admission.jsp (2026-10-05 확인) — 「체류 신분에 관계없이 초등학교와 중학교의 입학이 가능합니다」
- https://file.edu4mc.or.kr/nime_upload/attach/00000/2742/20220527104734032.pdf (2022 판 — 2025 판 「우리아이 학교보내기」는 사이트가 접속을 끊어 못 받음)
This content was checked on 2026-10-05.