Getting a Teaching Visa, Korea

EPIK Visa Process

Here is a brief rundown of how to go about obtaining the E2 visa.

Here is a checklist of the documents that you will need to prepare and send to ESLstarter:

• An Apostilled photocopy of your original Bachelor's degree certificate PLUS photocopy of this document. If you are a Master’s degree holder, you must also send a photocopy of your MA degree certificate. The copy of your MA certificate does not need to be apostilled.
• 2 Passport Photos (4cm X 3cm)
• 2 Photocopies of the Picture Page of your passport and also, where applicable, photocopies of past E2 Visas
• 2 Original Letters of Recommendation (must be from a professional / academic source). These letters must contain ink signature, phone number and address of recommender. They must be from two different sources
• Apostilled Original Criminal Record Check PLUS a photocopy of this document
• Original Signed Application Form PLUS a photocopy of this document (please ensure your form is signed in ALL the required places, including the consent form, medical assessment and survey. Also, please make sure to include your personal essay and personal medical assessment when sending your application form)
• One Sealed Set of University Transcripts (a breakdown of your Uni modular scores) - these must remain sealed in an official university envelope with the university stamp across the seal of the envelope. Where applicant has both a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree, sealed transcripts for both must be sent.
• Proof of full-time teaching experience from institution with exact dates. This must be an original document with signature or stamp. (where applicable)
• Two Photocopies of TEFL/TESL/TESOL or CELTA certification (where applicable)
• Two Copies of Teachers License or certificate (where applicable)

These documents need to be sent to eslstarter via courier mail (UPS, Fedex etc.). Once we get your documents, we will send you an appointment package which includes a Notice Of Appointment and two contracts once the documents have been approved by EPIK. 

What I need to prepare at home:

After your application is processed in Korea and you have received your appointment package (namely your two contracts and Notice of Appointment), you will need to take this package to your local Korean Embassy (or you can do it by mail) along with:

• Original Diploma 
• Criminal Record Check (photocopy)
• Visa Application Form (we will send this to you)
• 1 Sealed Set of Uni Transcripts (this depends on your nearest Korean Embassy, please call them to double check whether they will require you to take a set of transcripts with you to get the visa once you have the appointment package). Please find the contact information here: South Korean Embassy and Consulate directory
• Passport
• 1 Passport Photo

The Embassy will then put the visa into your passport which can take up to 5 working days from handing it in and then you are ready to go!

What to do if...

I'm from Canada where we don't use Apostille

• In this case, you need to submit a Criminal Record Check notarized by your local Korean Consulate / Embassy.
• Your check must include a Vulnerable Sector Search
• Canadians who are currently residing in Korea do not have to submit a VSS
• You need to attach a notary from the Korean Consulate / Embassy to the copy of your diploma

I have not yet graduated

• You can submit an Apostilled 'letter of expected graduation' and then submit the Apostilled Diploma as soon as you get it.
• You must also initially send us a set of sealed incomplete transcripts and then submit the full final transcripts as soon as you receive them.

Remind me about:

My signed recommendation letters

• This must include the name, status, address, contact number and ink signature of the reference.
  

Proof of full-time teaching experience (where applicable)

• Please include the name of the school or institute, address, and contact number in the header.
• Exact dates must be provided and must state that you were a full-time teacher.
• The proof of service letter must be dated after the end-date of your previous teaching contract.
• Letters must be issued by the administrational office of the institution.
• Proof of teaching must be an original document with signature or stamp (faxes, email and photocopies will not be accepted).
• Previous contracts or visas are not accepted as proof.
• Kindergarten or pre-school teaching will not be accepted.

Teaching English as a Second Language Certificate (e.g. TEFL / TESL / TESOL / CELTA (where applicable)

• To qualify for a pay increase, your certificate must be at least 100 hours and this must be clearly stated on your certificate.
• If the number of hours is not clearly stated on your certificate, please include some supporting documentation.
• CELTA certificates do not require proof of hours.

If you have any questions about the documents that are required to get your E2 visa, drop us a line at info@eslstarter.com and we will get right onto it!

Hagwon Visa Process

How do I get the E2 visa for a Private School Position?

Several steps need to be taken in order to obtain the E2 teaching visa for a Private School position. These steps can be easily negotiated by following the guidelines below.

After you have found a position in Korea, these documents need to be prepared:

• Original Uni Diploma (or an Apostilled copy) you will also need to send an additional copy of either one
• 4 Passport size Photos
• 1 Set of Sealed University Transcripts (these are a breakdown of your Uni modular scores and must remain sealed in an official Uni envelope)
• Criminal Record Check (this must be Apostilled by your local Legislation Office - for more details see...)   You will need to send the original plus one copy
• Applicant Health Statement (can be requested from ESLstarter)
• Signed contract with the school
• Photocopy of the picture page of your passport

Once you have all of these documents ready, they need to be sent to Korea via courier mail (DHL, FEDEX etc.). The school will then take your documents to immigration who will process your blue number. This number is your visa issuance number and usually takes around 5 days to process at Korean immigration.

When finalised, the school will email you the blue number and it needs to be taken to your local Korean Embassy or Consulate along with your passport and one passport photo. This is the point where you can arrange to have an interview with the Embassy which is just a very brief chat and nothing to fear! Sometimes this isn't necessary but it's usually best to schedule one anyway.

The visa is then put into your passport (can take up to 5 working days) and you are ready to go. For more information on how to get your Diploma and Criminal Record Check Apostilled in your home country, please see our Apostille section. Alternatively, contact us at for more info.