Korean Immigration has recently implemented changes to their visa requirements. It is recommended that you contact the Korean Embassy your region to verify the information on obtaining an E2 visa to teach in Korea.

The visa process is different for Canadians than for all other countries. Canada did not sign the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Documents, therefore an apostille is not needed for verification. However, certain documents will still need to be certified by a notary public and then be verified through the embassy or consulate you are dealing with in your region. 

Be sure to carefully follow instructions and check that all documentation is completed properly.

Step 1

First, have the following documents notarised by a notary public

• Original degree - notarised on a photocopy
• Original criminal background check (with vulnerable sector search) - MUST be notarised ON THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT

Then, take/send these items to the Korean embassy or consulate in your region to be verified 

      In person

• Original degree - with notarisation
• Original criminal background check (with vulnerable sector search) - with notarisation ON THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT
• Call the embassy to find out if there's a fee for verification

*If you personally bring your documents to the consulate, some will accept this in place of the in-person interview (this only applies to first-time E2 applicants) *Please ask the officer receiving your documents if this will apply to you.

      By mail

• Original degree - with notarised photocopy
  
• Original criminal background check - with notarisation ON THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT
• Prepaid return envelope (Xpresspost or Priority post - In Toronto ONLY Xpresspost is accepted)

If you are sending them by mail, you need to send these documents by Xpresspost or Priority Post. You must contact the embassy to find out their preferred method of post. Some offices WILL NOT accept documents sent by certain couriers.

Step 2

• Original degree + notarised and verified photocopy (it will be returned to you shortly after you arrive in Korea)
• ONE set of unopened, official transcripts - sealed by the university over the back crease of the envelope (official seal)
• Original criminal record report (with vulnerable sector search) - notarised and verified on the original document
• Photocopy of your passport picture and information pages
• THREE passport sized photos - 3.5 x 4.5 cm, in color, and signed and dated on the back of one by the photographer (photo must have been taken withing the last 6 months and have a white background)
• ONE official health statement - completed and signed
• ONE copy of your resume/CV - with your correct address and contact information, signed and dated on every page
• ONE copy of the contract - signed and dated by you

You need to send these documents by DHL or FedEx only. Local priority post services cannot provide tracking numbers for Korean distribution. Once you send this package you need to email the tracking number to your Go East representative (this helps with planning).

Your employer in Korea will apply for your Visa Issuance Number with the documentation you've sent them. Korean Immigration takes 3-5 business days to process this number (depending on the volume of applications they are dealing with at the time). 

Step 3

Your Visa Issuance Confirmation Number will be sent to you via email, by either your Go East representative or your employer. You must then take/send another group of documents to the Embassy in that deals with your region.

* NOTE - First time applicants MUST apply from their home country.

Items you will need to take/send to the embassy in your region

• Photocopy of your degree certificate
• ONE set of unopened, official transcripts - sealed by the university (official seal)
• Photocopy of your criminal record report
• Valid passport - with at least 6 months validity and 2 empty pages for processing - MAKE SURE IT IS SIGNED
• ONE passport sized photo - 3.5 x 4.5 cm, in color
• ONE official health statement (yes, another one) - completed with the EXACT SAME ANSWERS as the first
• Completed E2 visa application
• Visa Issuance Confirmation Number (will be emailed to you from either us or your employer)
• Visa processing fee - C $55.00, although you should check with the Embassy, as it is subject to change (if you are mailing, the fee is payable to "The Korean Consulate General" by money order only)
• If you are mailing, you must include a prepaid postage return envelope (Xpresspost or Priority Post - In Toronto ONLY Xpresspost is accepted)

If you are sending them by mail, you need to send these documents by Xpresspost or Priority Post. You must contact the embassy to find out their preferred method of post. Some offices WILL NOT accept documents sent by certain couriers (like Toronto).

Before you take/send your documents to the embassy, call them to schedule an interview with them (for first time E2 Visa applicants only). The interview should be done in person but sometimes they will make an exception if you live far from their office, and conduct the interview by other means. DON'T BE AFRAID! The interview is only to find out a little about your personal character and to see if you're going to make an effort. They will ask you questions about your hobbies, interests and why you want to teach in Korea. It's really quite easy.

The processing time is about 5-10 business days (depending on the volume of applications they are dealing with at the time).

If you recieve your passport by courier with the E2 visa sticker in it, you've done everything correctly! You will then be ready to head off on your adventure in Korea!