Getting a Teaching Visa, Korea

EPIK Visa Process

Getting the E2 teaching visa for South Korea need not be a long, arduous process! All it takes is a little preparation and organization and immigration obstacles can be sidestepped completely, making the visa process smooth and straightforward.

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

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

Once you have secured a position with the public school system, the first step is for you to collect and send the following seven documents.

What I need to send to Korea:

• Original Degree Certificate or an Apostilled / Notarized Copy
• 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 Letters of Recommendation (can be from a previous employer, teacher, family friend)
• Criminal Record Check (must be Apostilled) and also a photocopy of this document
• Original Signed Application Form
• One Sealed Set of University Transcripts (a breakdown of your Uni modular scores) - these must remain sealed in an offical Uni envelope
• IMPORTANT: One set of Transcripts needs to be sent to Korea direct from your University.

These documents need to be sent to the EPIK Office Head Coordinator in Korea (contact us for the address) via courier mail (DHL, Fedex etc.). Once EPIK gets your documents, they will send you an appointment package which includes a Notice Of Appointment and two contracts.

What I need to prepare at home:

You will also need to keep some documents with you at home in order to complete the visa at your local Korean Embassy or Consulate.  Below is a list of the things you need to keep with you:

• Passport
• 1 Set of Sealed Uni Transcripts
• 1 Passport Photo
• Photocopy of your Apostilled criminal record check
• Photocopy of your Diploma with Apostille or the original, depending on which one you sent to EPIK - Visa Application Form (we will send this to you)

And finally.. After your application is processed in Korea and you have received your appointment package (namely your two contracts and Notice of Appointment), you take this package to your local Korean Embassy along with:

• Diploma (original or copy depending on what you sent to Korea)
• Criminal Record Check (photocopy)
• Visa Application Form
• 1 Sealed Set of Uni Transcripts
• 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!

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.

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 a notarized 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.