Korean Visa for ESL Teachers

IMPORTANT: This is a guideline ONLY and Visa requirements and processes do change from time to time. It is very important that you coordinate the visa process with your recruiter and/or employer along with the Korean Embassy or Consulates in the country where you will apply for the visa. There are a lot of documents required so it’s always a good idea to double check with your school/recruiter and the consulate to ensure you have everything you need and do not send unnecessary things.

Korean Consulate Visa Webpages:

Korean Consulate in Australia

Korean Consulate in Canada

Korean Consulate in Ireland

Korean Consulate in New Zealand

Korean Consulate in South Africa

Korean Consulate in the U.K.

Korean Consulate in the U.S.A.

Visa Types:

The legal working visas for teaching English in Korea are the E-1 or E-2 Visas unless you are working for a short-term summer or winter camp in which case you will need a C-4 (Short-term Employment Visa). E-1 Visas are for university teachers and professors. E-2 Visas are for all other teachers, such as those working in elementary schools or private language institutes.

Where to apply:

1. In your home country, you can apply for the visa either in-person or through the mail with Korean embassies or consulates.
2. A country other than Korea, many times you can apply for a Korean visa in another country (like Japan). This is usually fairly easy if you have already taught or worked in Korea, but we have heard of people having problems if they never worked in Korea before. Make sure you check with the embassy or consulate before spending your time and money traveling to a country that is not your home to apply for a visa.

Visa Application Steps:

Step 1 Find a job. You can easily find a job that suits your preferences by searching our database. Filling out all sections of your resume on ESL HitchHiker makes finding a job even easier as many recruiters search our site looking for qualified teachers. Once you find a job, negotiate, settle and both you and the employer sign the contract, you can begin the visa application process.

Step 2 Gather the following documents for your visa application:

1. One completed visa application form
2. Notarized copy of university degree with Apostille
3. Two official and sealed university transcripts in envelope
4. Notarized criminal background check with Apostille
5. Applicant's Health Statement
6. Photocopy of passport information page (remaining validity of at least 1 year)
7. A copy of your resume
8. Signed employment contract
9. Two recent passport color photos (3.5*4.5 size, white background)

*Note on Criminal Background Check*

Canadian Teachers:

• Must be issued within the last 3 months by Ontario or Manitoba police
• Notarization on the copy of original certificate* is required

Other Nationalities:

• Issues by the Federal/Provincial Police within last 3 months
• Notarized original criminal record check by Apostille

Step 3 Send these documents to your recruiter or school in Korea. Send the package tracking number to your recruiter or school so that they can track the package and its expected arrival.

*Note on Sending Documents* It is safest to send the documents by FedEx or DHL. While this will cost more money, it will arrive in Korea much quicker and enable you to track the documents until they are delivered.

Step 4 The recruiter or school will bring your documents to the local immigration office. Within 7-10 days the immigration office will issue a Confirmation of Visa Issuance Number. The school or recruiter will send you this number via email.

Step 5 Time to go to your local consulate or embassy. You can apply for your visa in-person or through the mail. You will need the following things:

1. One completed visa application form with your Confirmation of Visa Issuance Number
2. Original passport (remaining validity of at least 1 year)
3. One recent passport color photos (3.5*4.5 size, white background)
4. Visa application fee (Cash or Money Order Only). Amount varies by country.
5. Official Transcript in Sealed University Envelope
6. Original or notarized copy of university degree with Apostille
7. Notarized criminal background check with Apostille
8. Filled out interview form
9. Applicant's Health Statement (Make sure your answers are the same)

*Note on Applying by Mail* If you apply by mail, you will need to include a prepaid postage return envelope with your complete address for the consulate to return your passport.

Step 6 (Only for first time teachers) Once the consulate receives all of your application and documents they will set up an interview with you. All first time teachers need to have a face-to-face interview with the consulate although some may make exceptions if you live far away. It’s a good idea to let them know you would like to pick up your passport and visa after the interview so you don’t need to make two trips to the consulate. Now you have your brand new visa in your passport and you are ready to fly over to Korea.

Once in Korea you will have a few more steps to obtain your Alien Registration Card, which you must obtain within your first 90 days, and do an official medical check, where they will test for TBPE, Marijuana, and HIV along with general health. Your employer will help you with both of these steps.

Back to: