Recommendation Letters for MEXT/GKS (Singapore) 2026: Who to Ask, How to Brief, and Sealed-Envelope Rules
TL;DR
A Singapore-student friendly guide to recommendation letters for MEXT and GKS applications (and Japan/Korea admissions more broadly): who to ask, what to give your referee, and the official sealed-letter requirements you must not mess up.
21 Jan 2026, 00:00 Z
Reviewed by
Marcus Pang·Managing Director (Maths)
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> **Q:** What’s the fastest way to avoid last-minute chaos for recommendation letters?
> \
> **A:** Treat the recommendation letter like a *document workflow*, not a favour. Choose the right referee, give them the right briefing pack, and follow the official sealing/signature rules exactly — because some programmes will reject letters that aren’t sealed, signed, or dated.
> **TL;DR (60 seconds)**
> - Read the official instructions for your programme:
> - MEXT research sample form (shows sealed-envelope handling): https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/_mt/2025/04/07-2026_Research_SampleRecommendation.pdf
> - GKS recommender instructions (sealed + signed across flap): https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/cmm/fms/FileDown.do?atchFileId=FILE_000000000492848&fileSn=3
> - Ask early: in Singapore school calendars, **4–6 weeks** is a safer lead time than “next week”.
> - Your job is to make it easy for your referee to write a *specific* letter, not a generic one.
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*Status:* Last reviewed 2026-01-21. This is a planning guide. Always follow the current-year instructions on the official pages linked above.
If you’re still deciding between Japan vs Korea overall, start here:
* https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/Study-Abroad-Japan-vs-South-Korea-Checklist
---
## 1) Who should you ask? (Singapore reality)
You want someone who can write a specific letter about:
* your academic ability (not just “good attitude”)
* your growth trajectory (how you improved)
* your character under stress (deadlines, responsibility)
* your fit for your intended field
Common choices for Singapore students:
* a subject teacher who knows your work deeply (best for most students)
* a research mentor / internship supervisor (if relevant to your field)
* a school leader (only if they actually know you and can write substance)
If you can only choose one: choose the person who can write the most *evidence-based* letter.
---
## 2) MEXT (Japan): what the official sample shows
The Study in Japan application page includes a recommendation letter sample:
* https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/smap-stopj-applications-research.html
* Direct PDF (FY2026 sample): https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/_mt/2025/04/07-2026_Research_SampleRecommendation.pdf
What the sample form makes clear (in plain English):
* the applicant provides an envelope marked “confidential”
* the recommender seals the letter/form in the envelope
* the recommender signs across the seal
* the applicant submits the unopened envelope with the application
Also: the sample states that other formats can be accepted (so long as the official instructions for your channel accept them). Always follow the current-year application page.
---
## 3) GKS (Korea): the sealed-envelope rules are explicit
In the GKS application forms (Form 4), the instructions state:
* the recommendation letter can be in any format, but must be submitted separately
* your referee should **seal** it in an envelope and **sign across the back flap**
* letters that are not **dated**, **signed**, or **sealed** may not be accepted
Official forms:
* https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/cmm/fms/FileDown.do?atchFileId=FILE_000000000492848&fileSn=3
The official guideline FAQ also discusses recommendation letters (including who to obtain them from and freshness windows):
* https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/cmm/fms/FileDown.do?atchFileId=FILE_000000000492848&fileSn=1
If you’re applying from Singapore, be extra careful about copy counts and first-round submission rules (these can differ by embassy/university):
* https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/GKS-Scholarship-Singapore-Embassy-Guide-2026
---
## 4) The “referee briefing pack” (what to give them)
Handing your referee a blank form and saying “please write something” produces a vague letter.
Give them a simple pack (all in one PDF if possible):
* your CV (one page)
* your transcript / results summary (one page)
* your intended programme + major (one paragraph)
* your draft personal statement / study plan (if available)
* 3–5 bullet points of what you hope they can comment on (strengths + growth)
* the official link to the recommendation instructions (MEXT/GKS)
* your deadline (and a buffer deadline earlier than that)
If you want a Singapore document checklist for certified copies, translations, and “multiple sets” handling:
* https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/Singapore-Overseas-Scholarship-Document-Pack-Playbook
---
## 5) A Singapore-friendly timeline (so you don’t ruin your referee relationship)
Use this as a planning guideline:
* **6 weeks before deadline:** ask your referee (politely, with your pack).
* **3–4 weeks before deadline:** send a gentle reminder + updated draft statement (if you improved it).
* **1–2 weeks before deadline:** confirm sealing/signing requirements, and confirm how you will collect the sealed envelope safely.
If your school has exam periods or major events, shift this earlier.
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## 6) Next action (today)
Do these three things:
1. Choose one referee and ask them early (don’t “collect names”; actually ask).
2. Build your briefing pack (CV + transcript summary + 1-paragraph programme plan).
3. Read the official sealing rules for your programme and print them for your referee:
- MEXT sample: https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/_mt/2025/04/07-2026_Research_SampleRecommendation.pdf
- GKS Form 4 instructions: https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/cmm/fms/FileDown.do?atchFileId=FILE_000000000492848&fileSn=3
