The bottom line... It is completely illegal for an E2 visa holder to teach privately in Korea.

With that being said, you've probably already heard that many people do it and make LOADS of extra cash! While this is very true, you need to know the consequences in getting caught teaching illegally in Korea.

When your school applies for your visa, only that school's name will be listed on the Alien Resident Card. Your visa states that you are only legally permitted to teach at that institution, as they are responsible for you while you are in Korea. The name and location of that institute will be listed on your ARC and if you are caught working anywhere other than that location, you can potentially face fines and deportation. This is something to be cautious of with some schools requesting you to teach at other branches of their institution. EACH LOCATION MUST BE APPLIED FOR BY THE SCHOOL AND LISTED ON THE ARC. If it is not listed, you shouldn't be working there and if you do, you are at risk. You can apply for a addendum to your visa to allow you to take a part-time job, in which you would have to get permission from your employer and then register with immigration. While possible, it is highly unlikely that your employer would grant you permission to work elsewhere... unless it would bring him more business.

This applies to any type of work other than what your visa states. Television or movie extras, modelling, teaching at another school or whatever, must be permitted by your host employer and registered with your regional immigration office. Even volunteering has gotten people into trouble at times.

Teaching Privately/Private Tutoring

Not all Koreans that want to learn English want to go to an academy to do it. Therefore you are likely to get requests to teach them privately at their home or a coffee shop. You'll hear that many teachers are doing it to supplement their income.

Be warned that teaching privately is illegal and is viewed by many schools as "stealing their business". There are small campaigns from time to time asking the public to call the police if they suspect that someone is teaching illegally. A reward is offered (even by immigration) for information leading to an arrest of persons involved in illegal activities in Korea. Please, be careful...