KOREA VISA

Date Modified: 12.30.2007
Content: E1, E2 Visas. Korean teaching visa procedure

NOTICE: E-2 VISA REGULATION CHANGES

E2 visa regulations are still a bit unclear due to the communication between the Korean government, Korean embassies aboard and both English teachers already in Korea and teachers applying for the first time. We highly recommend calling your local Korean Consulate and/or a Korean immigration office in Korea for the latest information.

Here is a list the additional requirements.

1. Criminal Background Check
2. Health Check
3. Interview at the Korean consulate in your home country

What you need

If you are planning on teaching in Korea, you will need to get an E1 or an E2 Visa. These are legal working visas for English teachers. English professors working at educational institutes higher than a junior college, need an E-1 Visa while those working as conversation instructors, require an E-2 Visa.

Obtaining the Visas

There are two ways to get an E1 or an E2 Visa.

1. In your country, complete the visa process through mail with Korean embassies or consulates. (click here for more info)
2. In Japan, complete the visa process at the Korean embassy in Japan. (click here for more info)

Obtaining a Teaching Visa in your Country

Step 1:
Find an employer. This can be done by posting your resume on esljobproject.com and applying for jobs posted on the site by email or phone. Once you have a found a job, the contract details have been negotiated and the contract has been signed by you and your employer, the visa process begins.

Step 2:
Prepare the following documents for mail:

a) Original or notarized degree by the Korean embassy in your country (click here for more details)
b) Contract signed by employer and employee
c) University transcripts, in a sealed official university envelope that is both stamped (official University stamp) and signed by an authorized University representative across the seal of the envelope.
d) Copy of your resume
e) Photocopy of the information page
f) Two passport-size photos

Send these documents to your employing school by courier mail, such as FEDEX, DHL or UPS.

Getting a notarized degree
You can get a notarized degree at the closest Korean consulate in your country by mail or in person.

By mail:
Send the following documents to the nearest Korean embassy or consulate in your country.

a) Letter requesting diploma confirmation
b) Original diploma and 2 copies
c) Diploma confirmation fee (money order payable to Korean Consulate General) *Due to possible changes in fees, call the nearest Korean Embassy or Consulate. Look in the left link bar under embassies in... to find the korean consulate nearest you.
d) A copy of your passport (also include copies of your driver's license, health card etc.)
e) If you are requesting that your notarized degree be returned by mail, send a self addressed stamped envelope. (If you will pick it up yourself, you don't need to send this.)

In Person:
Bring the following documents to the nearest Korean embassy or consulate in your country.

a) Original diploma
b) Identification (passport, driver's license, health card, etc.)
c) Diploma confirmation fee

Step 3: Your employer will complete this step.
Your employer needs to get a confirmation of visa issuance from the proper local immigration office in Korea. They will need the following documents: documents from the teacher (see above), employment contract, registration certificate of school, statement or purpose and sponsorship guarantee form.

Once your employer receives the confirmation of visa issuance, they should send it to you through courier mail.

Step 4:
Now you need to get your passport stamped with the E1 or E2 Visa. This can be done by mail or in person.

By mail: Mail the confirmation or visa issuance, your passport, letter of purpose (simply tell them what you want done) and a self addressed stamped envelope to the closest Korean embassy or consulate in your country.

In Person: Bring the confirmation or visa issuance and your passport to the closest Korean embassy or consulate in your country

You will now have a stamped passport with an issued 12 month teaching visa.

Step 5:
Once in Korea, you will need to register at a local immigration office to obtain a residence permit within 90 days of entry. Your employer will help with this procedure.

Getting an E2 Visa in Japan.

Step 1:
Find an employer. This can be done by posting your resume on esljobproject.com and applying for jobs posted on the site by email or phone. Once you have a found a job, negotiated contract details and the contract has been signed by you and your employer, the visa process begins.

Step 2:
Go to Korea (most contracts in Korea will provide a round-trip ticket) with the following documents:

a) Original or notarized degree by the Korean embassy in your country (click here for more details)
b) Contract signed by employer and employee
c) University transcripts, in a sealed official university envelope that is both stamped (official University stamp) and signed by an authorized University representative across the seal of the envelope.
d) Copy of your resume
e) Photocopy of the information page
f) Two passport-size photos

Step 3:
This step is for your employer. Your employer needs to get a confirmation of visa issuance from the proper local immigration office in Korea. They will need the following documents: documents from the teacher (see above), employment contract, registration certificate of school, statement or purpose and sponsorship guarantee form.

Once your employer receives the confirmation of visa issuance, arrange a round-trip ticket to Japan.

Step 4:
Bring the confirmation or visa issuance and your passport to the Korean embassy or consulate in Japan.

You will now have a stamped passport with an issued 12 month teaching visa.

Step 5:
You will need to register at a local immigration office to obtain a residence permit within 90 days of entry.

IMPORTANT: This is a guideline ONLY. It is very important to coordinate the visa process with your employer and the Korean Embassy or Consulates in your country.

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