The E2 visa is the specific visa for individuals coming to Korea as an English Teacher. The E2 visa is sponsored by educational institutions such as public schools, private academies (hagwons), and at universities.
The visa must have prior agreed upon sponsorship by one of those institutions in order to obtain. An E2 visa is valid for 13 months, and must be renewed with each new contract or continuing contract. For more information about the process regarding the different scenarios please visit the E2 Visa Process wiki.
Qualifications
Citizenship Requirements
The E2 visa is only issued to qualified personal who citizens of one of the seven recognized native English speaking countries: the United States, Canada, UK, Republic of Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Academic Requirements
Applicants must hold at least a bachelors degree in any field. Those who are in progress of obtaining a bachelors degree or hold an associates degree are not eligible for the E2 visa.
Criminal Record Requirements
Those who have any sort of criminal record (either misdemeanors or felonies) are not eligible for the visa. Criminal records are verified by a submission of a national level Criminal Record Check. Traffic violations (such as speeding and parking citations) do generally not affect your criminal record for teaching in South Korea.
Health Requirements
Applicants must be in a good health standing and submit a self-medical check survey. They then receive a preliminary visa to come to Korea, where they take an actual medical check at a Korean health center. The test checks for general health conditions, drug usage, and diseases.
Required Documents
The following documents are required by Korean consulates to obtain an E2 visa. Please keep in mind that after submitting, these documents will not be returned:
I’ll be submitting the following two documents to Korvia: 1) Apostilled photocopy of Bachelors degree and 2)
Apostilled National-Level Criminal Background Check. Will those documents be returned for me to use when applying for my E2 Visa?
Hi Kam,
Original documents will be submitted to the immigration office and it will be not returned.
Would you accept naturalised citizens from these 7 countries? I’m a naturalised Irish citizen.
Hello Iris,
Yes, we do accept applicants that are naturalized from the seven countries.
How to process for e2 visa ? Im from nepal
My daughter is teaching English in S Korea under the most despicable conditions and wants to leave. Can she cancel her E2 visa without a letter of release? The school will not give her this letter; however, she has been treated horribly for the entire time she has been there. She has been there 7 months too long already and has been sick most of the time. Please help!
Please try to contact her recruiter to resolve this situation and she can’t transfer her visa without a letter of release.
for anyone viewing this later, if she has been treated horribly and it qualifies as harassment, she could have reported it and that could serve as a letter of release at immigration and she can change jobs
Hi
I’m in Korea now and can’t leave to get this visa. I have found a school who want to hire me. I have all the paperwork ready.
Is it possible to get a visa here, without leaving?
Thanks
I would say speak to the school who is trying to hire you. They should be able to talk to your local immigration office for guidance.
As a Drama Teacher who has got a job in korea, what visa would I be applying for
South Africains are not native speakers so you might change that list
And this native thing is just nonsense
Yes it is, what are you talking about?
I agree, I have better grammar than some native speakers (at least that’s what I have been told) studied a Masters degree in Australia, but because I do not have a passport from one of those countries I can’t even apply
We classify as native speakers because of the fact that English is one of the official languages of South Africa. We have multiple languages and if you can’t prove that you had at least seven years of schooling in English you can’t work in the public school sector. So there are issues for us as well. But we do qualify as native.
Hi Donna, do you mind me asking her teaching company? I plan to go in November and hopefully not with the same company…
Hi good day!
I am from Philippines. I just want to ask if I am qualify to apply and get E-2Visa even I am not from the said countries?
I am willing to apply as a teacher in Korea.
Unfortunately, the Korean government requires that those coming to Korea to teach English to be citizens of one of the 7 Native English Speaking countries (USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, or New Zealand).
Hello.
What about other languages such us Russian, Spanish, French or others?
The E2 visa is not only for English teaching nor only English speakers but for any Native speakers from certain countries (don’t remember all of them). Therefore, if you’re a Native French speaker you can obtain the E2 visa to teach French.
What about spanish?
Teaching Spanish can get an E2 visa as well. The E2 visa is not applied to English teaching jobs but other languages such as Chinese, Janpanese, Spanish, French and etc.
E2 visa still not available from philippines??
Good morning,
Would you happen to have a link to the Government website where this is stated: “An E2 visa is valid for 13 months, and must be renewed with each new contract or continuing contract.” Korean or English would be fine.
Thank you so much.
E2 visa can be valid for up to 24month. However, one additional month will be added automatically for any duration when you will apply for E2 visa.
Most of the school will sign a contract for 12 months in Korea.
https://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/main_en.pt
Peace be with you!
I was wondering if someone with an E2 Visa and teaching at a school can also teach and tutor children for money?
Peace and blessings!
Hello, I’m from New Zealand but am currently in Korea on a working holiday (H1) visa. Do I have to return to NZ to apply for the E2 visa or can I do it while Korea and transfer my visa? Also, how recent does the criminal record check from NZ have to be considering I have been in Korea for almost 1 year? Thank you~
You have to go back to New Zealand to obtain an E2 visa. Criminal Background check only valid for six months.
Is there an age limitation for the E2 visa?
Can Turkish citizens apply E2 visa to teach turkish in South Korea?
Unfortunately, Turkey is not one of the seven designated countries that are eligible for the E2 visa. ):
I just have a quick question, I am a South African citizen and I just got a teaching job in South Korea. My question is that, I obtained my qualifications in Lesotho so will this be a problem for me to get the E2 visa
Hello.
I am from Greece and I have my BSc degree in English Language and Literature of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki [4year english spoken department] and I am specialized in Teaching English as a Foreign Language [TEFL]. Why does the goverment not bear in mind those who are certified to become english teachers and who own a BCs in education as well as other certifications. I want to experience teaching in Korea but I am not allowed. Why
Hi, for the apostille for the bachelor degree and background check, does the apostille need to be on a state level or a government level?
You should obtain the apostille on a government level for a background check and FBI clearance must be obtained by D.O.S for public school teaching programs.
I had my degree and background check authenticated (apostille) in May 2018 in order for me to work in China, can I use these documents to apply for an E2 visa?
If I get an E-2 visa what does my spouse need? Does the E-2 sponsor them?
If you are legally married*, your spouse and/or children may come to Korea on an F3 “accompanying family” visa. They will not be able to legally work on this visa. If they want to work, they should apply separately for their own work visa.
*I’m not sure if this will work for a same-sex spouse regardless of whether such is legal in your country, not that this necessarily applies in your situation.
Good Morning all,
i am a non native qualified English teacher from Nigeria currently teaching in Vietnam for about 4 years now, is there anyway possible i can get an E2 Visa to work as an English teacher in South Korea?
Sorry bud, that’s gonna be a negative. been in korea for a while and you need to be from “1 of the 7 native english speaking countries”
Hi, i have a kind of complicated question .
i’m currently in korea on a tourist visa and have applied for an E2 visa and received my issuance number. However because of the corona virus i can’t go to another country and go to the korean embassy to get my visa because almost all countries have a 2 week quarantine to make it impossible to get to the embassy in that time or have blocked travel to people coming from korea.
is it possible to use a service to get someone to run my passport/documents(by mail) to a korean embassy in another? Thank you for your time
Hi Mark – just wondering what the outcome of this was when you tried to transfer your tourist visa to an E2 one? Thanks
Hello, does USA territories like Puerto Rico and Guam Qualify for E-2 Visa since both speak English since birth? If not, why is the reasoning for this?
Hey Folks. I’m applying for an E2 Visa from the UK. I’m having trouble obtaining a new copy of my degree. My University isn’t currently shipping reprints due to coronavirus with no issue date in sight. Are there any alternatives to this during the pandemic? Your help will be greatly appreciated.
Same issue as Kellee’s comment from above but from the US. I have a stamped copy of my transcripts, can I use this? Any help would be appreciated.
Hi I am in korea at the moment with only a tourist or holiday visa. I wish to find employment tecahing and have all documents, celta teaching cert, degree, transcript,criminal check, but nothing is apostilled, was it essentail to do this in my country ireland?
Is a TEFL level three certificate good enough to get a job teaching English in South Korea.
Is it possible to get the E2 visa if my citizenship comes from Poland, but I have lived and studied in the UK since the age of 10?
I got caught stealing when I was 18, but i got the charged dropped and removed from my record. Do I still qualify for the E-2 visa?
[…] Korea, and was trying to get there as soon as possible. There is a very precise string of steps to procuring said visa (which has been discussed ad nauseum on many excellent websites, so I won’t go into detail […]
Hi I’m interested in teaching English in South Korea, but I have epilepsy? I haven’t had a seizure in years since I started my medication, would I be able to get a E2 visa because of the health check..
Please contact the Korean immigration office for your condition. You can call 1345.
I’m from Nigeria which is one of the official English speaking countries in Africa and I have a BSc in chemistry education… Which visa would apply to me if I want to teach there?
Nigerian citizens may not eligible for an E2 visa. We suggest you contact the Korean immigration office directly. You can call them by dial 1345.
Hey Emily,
I was wondering if you heard back from the immigration office?
I also have epilepsy.
x
I’m a US citizen, but I got my bachelors in China. Anyone know how to get a diploma apostilled in China?
Try this link. This is an international Apostille service that is verified and accepted by most countries.
https://www.monumentvisa.com/korvia%20china/
Did you already get answers? I have a similar situation.
I`m a British citizen, but i graduated college here in the Philippines
Hello,
I have an employment arrangement as an English Speaking/Debate Teacher at a private institution in Korea.
They can offer me a long term contract for 24 months. My question is, after 24 months, would it be possible to extend a contract and still work under the same visa?
[…] city will have at least one academy, or hagwon, that employs a foreign teacher from one of the following countries: the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Australia, New […]
Hi, Once I receive my e-2 Visa how long do I have before I need to be in the country?
You will be able to check your expiration date on your visa grant.
If I am going to Korea to teach, potentially in a university, can my spouse come along if they will not be teaching? Like a spouse visa?
Yes, your wife can have a spouse visa. You can apply for her visa when you will obtain your working visa.
Do I apply for the spouse visa (F3) while still in my home country? Or when I get to Korea? and where do I apply for them
Hello!
Im British and have a British passport but Ive lived and studied in the UAE my whole life. Would I be considered eligible?
If so, would a background check conducted by the UAE government suffice? Thanks.
Hi!
Im a british passport holder but i obtained a law master degree from a non-english speaking country, Hungary, Europe.
Am i still eligible to get an E2 visa for teaching english in South Korea?
I’m from the US and I have a misdemeanor on my record from 15 years ago. Even though the charges were dropped it still shows up on my record. Will this hold me back from obtaining the E2 visa? Thanks.
Hi, I am a British citizen but my bachelor’s is from an online accredited American university. Is this okay? Can the degree be from another English speaking country?
I am currently in Thailand teaching English. I am from the U.K. Would I need to go to England to get a visa or can I do it from inside Thailand?
Thank you.
Hi there, as an E2 visa holder, how much do I need in my bank account to bring over my spouse on F3 visa?
Asking on behalf of a friend, they are currently resident in Korea under an E2 visa, they have had a family emergency back in the UK. Is is easy to leave Korea and return visa-wise. Obviously the quarantine will be a problem. Does anyone have experience of quarantine exemption while on an existing Visa. Thanks
Hi, I’m a native speaker born and raised my whole life in the US but I got my bachelors degree in a non native english speaking country (Brazil) I majored in English though. Am I eligible to teach in Korea?
I am looking for the specific conditions that apply to the E2 visa such as which subjects can be taught, how many hours, etc. I know that there are certain regulations and limitations that apply to the E2 visa. Do you have any information or specific websites that I can look at in order to obtain this information? Thank you in advance!!
I am looking to find the information that shows the regulations and limits of the E2 visa such as which subjects can be taught, how many hours, etc. Do you have this information or a website that you would recommend that can give me the specifics on what an E2 visa holder is able to do at a school? Thank you in advance?
Does teaching English online qualify for an E2 teaching visa?
Thank you.
Bettye
Will a criminal infraction limit my ability to obtain this visa? The article mentions misdemeanor and felony, but does not touch on infractions. Thanks!
If it is something that may show up in your criminal background check, then yes.
Hello! I am currently under an E-2 visa here in Korea, however, the job I am under contract has not been very pleasant. Can I look for another job meanwhile in Korea, or do I have to leave, and reapply again under a new contract?
If you do quit your job before your contract is over, you will have to obtain a letter of release from your employer and then will have to transfer the visa. You are able to stay in Korea until your expiration date even if you quit the job that you obtained your E2 visa.
Greetings
I have my graduation letter and it’s notarised and apostilled and was asking if this was acceptable.
Thanks
My E2 visa on my residence card expires 2022/ 12/16. I quit my job.
I think my E2 visa is still valid until I leave South Korea or can
my employer cancel my visa without me present I plan to leave South Korea soon but just not sure
how much time I have here legally.
Amy, you are valid until the expiration date. However, if you are hoping to find a new job until that date, you will have to obtain a letter of release from the employer in order for you to find a new job and transfer your E2 visa.
How long can a person on an E2 visa stay outside of Korea? I know the visa is valid for 13 months, but say the person is teaching classes online, and leaves Korea and continues to teach online from a different country. Is the E2 visa valid until the expiration date? Or does the person have to be physically present in Korea for a certain amount of time? What say if a person spends 5 months consecutively outside Korea, and the returns while the E2 visa is still valid?
With the E2 visa, one can travel in and out of Korea as many times. However, spending 5 months outside of Korea is more than 90 days, so that would not be possible.
Hello,
My documents only need to be apostiled. No need to stamp them in the embassy of Korea in the USA ?
Hi I was offered a job in Gwangju and am waiting for my contract in the mail. I am still in US I just need to apply for the visa. I am having trouble finding the application…i only find links telling me what the requirements are
Hi Zaida, you should be able to find the application on the Korean Embassy website. If not you can email our support desk and they can send you a copy as well.
Hello, I am currently in S. Korea on a tourist visa. I am an American and presently waiting for my apostille on the FBI criminal background check to be returned to my family address in the States. A family member intends to mail the apostille to me. After I submit the documents to my employer, I trust it’s possible to get a courier to send the documents to the US, or perhaps immigration officials here. I’m hoping that I can then get the courier service to return my passport, and then make a visa run so I may re-enter Korea. Is my plan above board?
Thank you for sharing such an insightful and well-presented post. I learned a lot from it.
I want to express my gratitude for your informative and engaging post. It was a pleasure to read.
Hi Korvia,
I’m Canadian and currently in process of gathering my documents. Since Canada is part of the Apostille Convention, I understand I no longer require going to the Korean Consulate in Toronto to get an affix or apostille. But my question is, in the past I had to include a university transcript along with the other documents. Is a transcript no longer a requirement? I don’t see it in the requirements anymore. I just wanted to double check that with you.
As far as we are aware, you should not need to submit a transcript with your diploma for an apostille. That was a requirement from the Korean Consulate, which you no longer need to visit.
Thank you for your response. However, does my Korean employer need me to submit a transcript to them for immigration?
Thank you
Hi ~ I’m currently on an E2 visa and would like to quit, if I do quit my job do I have to leave the country right away or does the date on my E2 card stay valid until then ? I’m aware if not given a letter of release I won’t be able to find another workplace.
Hi, Given that im a native English speaker from USA. Does my bachelors degree have to be earned from an English speaking country or not ?
Hi Melissa, your Bachelor’s degree should also be from an English-speaking country as per Korea’s immigration laws. If you attended an English-speaking school and studied all in English, if you can provide a proof of English education letter from the school, it may be possible to get a position (this will vary from case to case, however).
How long will it be for traffic violations to no longer be considered preventing someone from getting a work visa in South Korea-even if this reads as ludicrous, this is what happened to me. I had 3 of them-two of which in 2007 and one in 2012.
Hello Lucis. To be eligible for E2 visa, the criminal record check must be clean.
“Traffic violations (such as speeding and parking citations) do generally not affect your criminal record for teaching in South Korea.” Again, why would this affect getting a visa? If this is the case that it does affect the visa process how long would this affect the process?
Hi Lucis, the only time that would affect your visa is if it shows up on your criminal background check. In that situation, your employer would not sponsor you for the visa, and as such, you would not be able to apply for your visa.
Just to be clear. The traffic violations were in SK not in my home country.
For those who have been in Korea, you are also required to obtain a Korean Background Check Certificate for your visa. If there is a record of your traffic violations, you would not be able to apply for your visa.
https://support.korvia.com/portal/en/kb/articles/obtaining-a-korean-background-check-certificate
This is absurd. I cannot apply for a work visa because of traffic violations?