Teaching English in South Korea is a dream opportunity for many. With competitive salaries, free housing (in many cases), and the chance to immerse yourself in Korean culture, it’s easy to see why the country is one of the top destinations for ESL teachers. But before you hop on a plane, you’ll need to secure the correct visa — typically the E-2 Visa, which is the official working visa for language instructors.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of how to get a teaching visa for South Korea.
Step 1: Meet the Basic Eligibility Requirements
Before you apply, ensure you meet the basic legal criteria for the E-2 Visa:
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- Be a native English speaker from one of these countries: USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa.
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- Hold at least a bachelor’s degree in any field.
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- Have a clean national-level criminal background check.
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- Be mentally and physically healthy (confirmed through a health check in Korea).
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- Have a valid passport.
Step 2: Find a Job with a Licensed Employer
You’ll need to secure a job offer from a Korean school or hagwon (private academy) that is approved to sponsor E-2 visas. You can find jobs through:
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- Recruiting agencies (like Korvia, Teach Away, or Adventure Teaching)
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- Job boards (like Dave’s ESL Café or Gone2Korea)
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- Government programs like EPIK (public schools), GEPIK, or SMOE
Tip:
Ask for references from current or past teachers and verify your employer’s credentials before signing anything.
Step 3: Collect Your Required Documents
Once you receive a job offer, you’ll need to gather and submit the following documents to your employer or recruiter:
Required Documents:
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- Apostilled copy of your degree
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- Apostilled national-level criminal background check
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- Signed contract from your Korean employer
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- Passport copy (valid for at least 6 months)
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- Resume/CV
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- Two passport photos
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- Health statement form (self-assessment)
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- Copy of TEFL/TESOL certificate (optional, but increasingly preferred)
Important:
If you’re from the US, documents must be apostilled by the Department of State. Other countries have similar processes for legalization.
Step 4: Employer Applies for Your Visa Issuance Number
After submitting your documents to the employer, they will file a Visa Issuance Number request to the Korean Immigration Office on your behalf.
This step can take 2 to 4 weeks. Once approved, your employer will send you a Visa Issuance Number, which you’ll need to apply for the visa in your home country.
Step 5: Apply for the E-2 Visa at the Korean Consulate
With the Visa Issuance Number in hand, you’ll now apply for your E-2 Visa at the nearest Korean consulate or embassy.
What You’ll Need:
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- Your passport
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- Completed visa application form
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- Passport photo
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- Visa Issuance Number
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- Visa fee (varies by country)
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- Additional documents (check with your local Korean consulate — requirements can vary)
Processing typically takes 5 to 10 business days.
Step 6: Arrive in Korea and Finalize Your Status
Once you enter South Korea with your E-2 visa, your employer will help you complete the final steps:
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- Health check at a designated medical center (within 90 days of arrival)
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- Apply for your Alien Registration Card (ARC) at the local immigration office
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- Open a bank account, register your address, and settle in!
Your ARC serves as your Korean ID card — it’s mandatory and must be carried at all times while in the country.
Bonus Tips for Success
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- Plan ahead: The whole process can take 8–12 weeks from job offer to visa approval.
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- Be honest: South Korea takes background checks seriously.
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- Read your contract carefully: Pay attention to working hours, overtime pay, vacation days, and housing support.
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- Stay in touch with your recruiter or employer throughout the process.
Final Thoughts
Teaching in South Korea can be an incredibly rewarding and life-enriching experience — but it all starts with getting your visa in order. Follow the steps above, stay organized, and you’ll be well on your way to an unforgettable journey.