E-2 Native English Teacher Visa — This page covers who is eligible, what documents are required, and how to apply for the E-2 visa to teach English in Korea. Based on the official Immigration & Foreigner Policy Manual.
1. Overview
The E-2 visa is issued to native English speakers from designated countries to teach English at Korean educational institutions — including public schools, private language academies (hagwons), universities, and government programs such as EPIK.
The visa is tied to a specific employer (sponsoring school or academy) and is typically valid for 1 year, renewable as long as the employment continues.
2. Eligibility Requirements
Eligible nationalities (7 countries):
- United States of America
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Ireland
- South Africa
Personal requirements:
- Bachelor's degree or higher (any field) from an accredited university
- Clean criminal background (no serious criminal convictions)
- Satisfactory health check results
- No history of immigration violations in Korea
- Valid contract / letter of invitation from a Korean school or language academy
3. Required Documents
Document requirements may vary slightly depending on the employer type (public school vs. hagwon vs. university). Contact us for a full case-specific list.
4. Application Process
- Secure a teaching contract from a Korean school or academy
- Korean employer submits documents to obtain a Certificate of Visa Issuance (CVI) from immigration
- Once CVI is issued, apply for the E-2 visa at the Korean embassy/consulate in your home country
- Enter Korea on the E-2 visa
- Complete the health examination within the required period after arrival
- Register as a foreigner and obtain your Alien Registration Card (ARC) within 90 days of entry