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Korean Immigration has recently implemented changes to their visa processing requirements. It is recommended that you contact the Korean Embassy in your region to verify the information on obtaining an E2 visa to teach in Korea. Korean Embassy - Washington - (202) 939-5654 www.koreaembassy.org/
Korean Consulate - New York - (646) 674-6000 www.koreanconsulate.org/
Korean Consulate – San Francisco - (415) 921-2251 www.koreanconsulatesf.org/
Korean Consulate - Los Angeles - (213) 385-9300 www.koreanconsulatela.org/english/index.htm
Korean Consulate - Boston - (617) 641-2830 www.kcgboston.org/index.php?lg=en
Korean Consulate - Chicago - (312) 822-9485 www.chicagoconsulate.org/en/index.php
Korean Consulate - Seattle (206)4411011 http://usa-seattle.mofat.go.kr/index.jsp
Korean Consulate - Atlanta - (404) 522-1611 https://www.koreanconsul.org/jsp/main/main.jsp
Korean Consulate - Houston - (713) 961-0186 www.koreahouston.org/english/index.htm
Korean Consulate - Honolulu (808) 595-6109 http://usa-honolulu.mofat.go.kr/index.jsp The visa process might seem somewhat daunting at first, but really it isn't. We have outlined the entire visa application process for you here in 2 basic steps. If you follow all intructions carefully, you shouldn't have any problems in obtaining your visa on time. By jumping through these hoops, you are proving to Korean Immigration that you are enthusiastic and diligent about your desire to teach in Korea.
* NOTE - Your name must appear the same on ALL documentation. If your name appears different on any of the documents (example - one has your middle name and one doesn't), your application may be rejected by Korean Immigration. Contact your Go East representative if you are unsure about anything.
Items you will need to prepare to apply for an E2 teaching visa - IN TOTAL - ONE original degree certificate
- + ONE notarized/apostilled photocopy
- + ONE more photocopy
- TWO sets of unopened, official transcripts - sealed by the university (official seal over back crease)
- ONE Certified Criminal Record Report (with "Name Background Search" OR "Name Background and Fingerprint Search') - notarized/apostilled
- Valid passport - with at least 6 months validity and 2 empty pages for processing - MAKE SURE YOUR PASSPORT IS SIGNED
- + ONE photocopy of the photo and information pages in your passport (pages 2 and 3)
- FOUR passport sized photos - 2 inches by 2 inches, in color, and date stamped on the back of one (photo must have been taken within the last 6 months and have a white or light background)
- TWO official health statement printouts - both forms MUST be completed with the exact same answers
- ONE copy of your resume - with your correct address and contact information included, signed and dated on every page
- ONE copy of the contract - signed and dated by you
- + ONE more copy of the contract - to take with you to get signed and use for reference
- ONE E2 visa application
- Consul's checklist
- Visa processing fee - You should check with the embassy, as it is subject to change
* NOTE - We highly recommend that you make photocopies of everything and leave them with a friend or family member in case of an emergency. Take a copy of the contract with you as a reference and have your director sign it when you arrive in Korea.
** REMINDER - Be prepared! Even if you are still searching for a job, we strongly recommend that you start preparing your documents immediately. The criminal background check can take a very long time to issue but is valid for 6 months from the date of issue by Korean Immigration. The entire visa process, even when you are fully prepared, will take anywhere from 3-5 weeks to complete.
Step 1
First, have the following documents notarised by a notary public - Original degree - notarized on a photocopy
- Original criminal background check (with "Name Background Search) - MUST be notarized ON THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT
Then, take/send these items to your State Department for the apostille legalization State Dept. Apostille locations and contact information for U.S. citizens: http://www.apostilleinfo.com/usa.htm In person (make and appointment) - Original degree - with notarization
- Original criminal background check (with "Name Background Search") - notarized ON THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT
*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 (make an appointment) - Original degree - with notarized photocopy
- Original criminal background check - notarized ON THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT
- Prepaid return envelope (Priority Post Courier, FedEx, DHL)
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
Once you've accepted a job offer, you will need to send the required documents to your employer in Korea to obtain your Visa Issuance Confirmation Number (authorizing the Korean Consulate in your country to process your visa). Your Employer will apply for the visa issuance number you will recieve it via email. Be sure to carefully follow instructions and check that all documentation is completed properly. Items you will need to send to your employer in Korea - Original degree with attached apostille (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 - notarized and apostille authenticated on the original
- Photocopy of your passport picture and information pages
- THREE passport sized photos - 2 inches by 2 inches, in color (photo must have been taken within the last 6 months and have a white or light background)
- ONE official health statement - completed and signed
- ONE copy of your resume/CV - with your correct address and contact information, signed on each page,
- ONE copy of the contract - signed and dated by you on each page
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 immediately email the tracking number to your Go East representative (this helps them with planning). Your employer in Korea will apply for your Visa Issuance Number with the documentation you've sent them. Korean Immigration takes 5-7 business days to process this number (depending on the volume of applications they are dealing with at the time).
Step 3Your 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 or consulate in 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/diploma 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
- ONE passport sized photo - 3.5 x 4.5 cm, in color, and date stamped on the back
- ONE official health statement (yes, another one) - completed with the EXACT SAME ANSWERS as the first
- Completed E2 visa application
- Completed Consul's checklist
- Visa Confirmation of Issuance number (will be emailed to you from either us or your employer)
- Visa processing fee - Check with the Embassy, as it is subject to change
- A prepaid postage return envelope (if mailing - Priority Post, FedEx, DHL)
If you are sending them by mail, you need to send these documents by Express 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.
Once you have taken/sent your documents to the embassy, they will contact you to schedule an interview with them. 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, family, etc. 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!
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