After receiving and accepting a job offer to teach English in Korea, the next step is to get your E-2 work visa. There are some differences between public schools and private language institutes and we will be here to assist you along the way. The total cost of obtaining your visa to work in Korea will amount to around $110 and take about 3-4 weeks.

Private Language Institutes

1. Prepare all required documents:

• Copy of diploma with apostille authentication (BA or higher)
• Signed Contract
• Personal Health Statement
• Criminal Background Check with Apostille authentication (must be state-wide for Americans)
• Copy of Passport photo page
• Copy of Resume
• 2 Photos (passport size)
FROM JANUARY 1, 2011 AMERICANS MUST USE NATIONAL FBI CHECK AND CANADIANS MUST USE NATIONAL RCMP CHECK

2. Send required documents to Korea via FedEx, DHL, or UPS

• Time: 3-5 days
• Cost: $40-80

3. Email FedEx, DHL, or UPS tracking number of shipment

• Be sure to retain invoice

4. After checking your documents, we will forward them on to your employer

• Time: 1-2 days

5. Korean employer submits documents to local immigration office for visa issuance

• Time: about 8 days

6. Employer receives Visa Issuance Letter from local immigration office and sends to teacher

• Time: 3 days
• Cost: paid by employer

7. Teacher submits required documents to nearest Korean Consulate

• Visa Application Form
• Consul's Checklist
• Visa Issuance Number
• Original Passport
• 2 photos (passport size)
• 1 set of unopened transcripts
• Time: 2-7 days
• Cost: $45

8. Korean Consulate issues E-2 visa and returns passport to teacher

• Time: 2-5 days
• NOTE: Your E-2 Visa will be attached to your passport so make sure to have at least 2 or 3 empty pages in your passport before submitting the documents to the Korean Consulate. For people who have used up all the pages in their passport, new pages can be added or a new passport can be issued.