Contents
1. What is the E-2 Visa?
The E-2 visa (회화지도 체류자격) is Korea's visa for native language instructors, primarily used by native English speakers who teach English at language academies (학원/hagwon), public schools, kindergartens, and other educational institutions in Korea.
The E-2 is one of Korea's most popular work visas — tens of thousands of teachers hold it at any given time. It is employer-sponsored, meaning your school or academy must invite you and provide a Contract of Employment before you apply.
- Stay period: 1 year (renewable annually)
- Employer-tied: Yes — must change status when changing employers
- Work permit: Included in the visa status
- Criminal check: Mandatory (FBI, ACRO, etc.)
- Health check: Mandatory (done in Korea after arrival)
2. Eligible Countries
Only citizens of the following 7 countries can apply for the E-2 visa:
| Country | Criminal Check Authority |
|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | FBI Identity History Summary Check |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | ACRO Criminal Records Office |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | RCMP Certified Criminal Record Check |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | Australian Federal Police National Police Check |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | NZ Police Vetting Service |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | An Garda Síochána (Police Clearance) |
| 🇿🇦 South Africa | SAPS Criminal Record Centre |
If you are a native English speaker from a country not listed above (e.g., Philippines, Singapore, India), you cannot apply for the E-2 visa. However, you may be able to teach English under an E-7 visa if you meet the specialist worker requirements. Contact us to discuss your options.
3. Eligibility Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Citizen of one of the 7 qualifying countries above |
| Education | Bachelor's degree (4-year) or higher from an accredited university |
| Criminal record | Clean — no serious criminal convictions. Sex crimes or drug offenses are automatic disqualifications |
| Health | HIV test and drug screening required after arrival in Korea (done at designated hospitals) |
| Job offer | Must have a signed employment contract with a Korean educational institution |
| Age | No official minimum age beyond degree requirements; most employers require 21+ |
4. Required Documents
Documents You Prepare (Before Leaving Your Country)
| Document | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Valid passport | At least 12 months validity; 2+ blank pages |
| Degree certificate | Original diploma + apostille + certified Korean translation |
| Degree transcripts | Official transcripts + apostille |
| Criminal background check | Issued by national police authority (see table above) + apostille + Korean translation. Must be recent (within 6 months) |
| Employment contract | Signed contract from Korean employer; must be notarized or authenticated |
| Passport-size photos | Recent, white background |
| Visa application form | Completed at Korean embassy/consulate |
Documents Your Employer Provides
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Business registration certificate | Employer's Korean business registration (사업자등록증) |
| School/academy establishment permit | For hagwons: 학원 설립·운영 등록증 |
| Employment contract (counter-signed) | Employer's original signed copy |
| Employer letter / invitation letter | Official letter confirming hiring |
Korea accepts apostille for countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention (USA, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, Ireland all qualify). South African documents may need to go through consular authentication instead — verify with the Korean embassy.
5. Application Process
- Secure a job offer — Find an English teaching position in Korea. Most teachers use job boards (Dave's ESL Café, Korvia, EPIK for public schools) or recruitment agencies.
- Get criminal background check — Apply for the national police clearance (FBI check, ACRO, etc.). Allow 4–12 weeks depending on country. Get it apostilled.
- Get degree apostilled — Contact your university or state/provincial authority for apostille. May take 1–4 weeks.
- Prepare all documents — Gather passport, photos, employment contract, degree + apostille, criminal check + apostille, and get Korean translations.
- Apply at Korean embassy/consulate — Submit in person at the nearest Korean diplomatic mission in your country.
- Receive E-2 visa — Processing typically takes 3–10 business days after full submission.
- Enter Korea — Travel to Korea and report to your employer.
- Health check in Korea — Within the first few weeks, your employer will arrange HIV test and drug screening at a designated hospital. Required to maintain legal status.
- Register ARC — Apply for your Alien Registration Card within 90 days of arrival.
6. Renewal & Changing Employers
Renewing the E-2 Visa
The E-2 visa is issued for 1 year at a time. To renew:
- Apply at the immigration office at least 1 month before expiry
- Bring updated employment contract and employer documents
- No new criminal check required for first renewal (may be required every 2–3 years)
Changing Schools
The E-2 visa is tied to your employer. If you change schools — even for the same type of work — you must notify immigration and apply for a Change of Place of Work (근무처변경). Working for a new employer before getting approval is illegal.
| Situation | Required Action | Processing |
|---|---|---|
| Same school, contract renewed | Apply for E-2 extension | 2–4 weeks |
| New school, same city | Report change of workplace (근무처 변경) | 2–4 weeks |
| New school, different status needed | Full status change application | 4–6 weeks |
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Our immigration specialists can review your documents, verify apostille requirements, and guide you through the application — in English.
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