The E-2 visa is the standard work visa for foreign English teachers in South Korea. The process looks daunting at first, but most teachers complete it in four to six weeks once their documents are in order. Here is exactly what you need and the order to do it in.
Who can apply
The E-2 is designed for native English speakers teaching conversational English. To qualify, you generally need to meet all of the following:
- Citizen of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland or South Africa
- A bachelor’s degree (any major) from an accredited university
- A clean nationwide criminal record
- Good physical and mental health, confirmed by a medical check after arrival
Public school programs may also ask for a TEFL certificate of 100+ hours or a teaching qualification, so check the job post before you apply.
Documents you’ll need
Gather these before you accept an offer, because the apostille steps cannot be rushed and missing paperwork is the single biggest cause of delays.
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, apostilled
- A nationwide criminal background check, apostilled and usually issued within the last six months
- A valid passport with at least six months remaining and blank pages
- Passport-style photos and a completed visa application form
- A signed health statement (self-check form)
- Sealed university transcripts, if your school or program asks for them
Step-by-step timeline
- 1
Get your degree and background check apostilled
Request your criminal background check and a copy of your degree — this usually takes 2–4 weeks. Getting both apostilled adds another 2–4 weeks.
- 2
Sign your contract
Send scans first, then the original documents to your school by tracked courier.
- 3
School applies for your Visa Issuance Number
Your employer submits your file to Korean immigration. This usually takes 1–2 weeks.
- 4
Apply at the embassy or consulate
Book an appointment, submit the issuance number with your documents, and attend a short interview if requested.
- 5
Receive your visa and book your flight
Visas are typically issued within one to two weeks. Your school will either book your flight for you, or you buy the ticket and the school reimburses you after you arrive.
Start the apostille process as early as possible — it is the step that most often causes delays.
After you arrive
Your school will usually arrange housing. Keep digital and physical copies of every document — you will need them again.
- Complete a medical check at a designated hospital (needed for your residence card)
- Apply for your Residence Card (ARC) within 90 days of arrival
- Open a local bank account and get a phone plan once your ARC is issued
- Check that you are enrolled in national health insurance and the national pension
After completing a full year with the same employer, you are entitled to severance pay of roughly one month’s salary. Citizens of some countries, including the US, Canada and Australia, can also claim back their pension contributions when they leave Korea.
Visa rules change from time to time. Always confirm the latest requirements with the Korean embassy or consulate in your country, or on the official Korea Visa Portal and HiKorea (for your residence card).