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

Korean Embassy - London - (020) 7227-5500

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 instructions carefully, you shouldn't have any problems in obtaining your visa on time.

* NOTE - Your name should appear the same on ALL documentation. If your name appears different on any of the documents (example - one has a short form of your name and one doesn't), your application may be rejected by Korean Immigration. Contact your Go East representative if you are unsure about anything.

**UPDATE - As of April 2011, first-time applicants no longer have to apply from their home country.

***UPDATE - As of April 2011, you no longer need your university/college transcripts, in Korea, when applying for private school positions. You may still need them for your Consulate at home, so please check with the office in your region.

Items you will need to prepare - IN TOTAL

1. ONE COPY of your Degree Certificate - notarised and Apostille authenticated
2. ONE Criminal Record Report (Subject Access with Basic Disclosure ￡10) - notarised and apostille authenticated ON THE ORIGINAL
3. Valid Passport - with at least 6 months validity (12 or more recommended) and 2 empty pages for processing - MAKE SURE YOUR PASSPORT IS SIGNED
4. ONE photocopy of the photo and information pages in your passport (pages 2 & 3)
5. SIX passport sized photos - 3.5 x 4.5cm size, in color (photo must have been taken within the last 6 months and have a white or light background)
6. TWO COPIES of the Official Health Statement by Korean Immigration - both forms MUST be completed with the exact same answers
7. ONE Copy of your resume/CV - with your correct address and contact information, signed
8. ONE Copy of the school's contract - signed and dated by you
9. Visa processing fee - ￡25 Check with the Embassy, as it is subject to change

For a much more detailed description of the above items, visit our Requirements section. It's boring, but it should help in understanding all of this better.

* 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

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

1. ONE copy of your degree with attached apostille
   
2. ONE Original Criminal Record Report (Subject Access with Basic Disclosure) - notarised with attached apostille ON THE ORIGINAL
3. ONE Photocopy of your passport picture and information pages
4. THREE passport sized photos - in color, signed and date stamped on the back of one
   
5. ONE Official Health Statement - completed and signed
6. ONE Copy of your resume/CV - with your correct address and contact information, signed
7. ONE Copy of the school's contract - signed and dated by you

You need to send these documents, preferably, 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.

Your employer in Korea will apply for your E2 Confirmation of Visa Issuance number with the documentation you've sent them. Korean Immigration takes 5-10 business days to process this number (depending on the volume of applications they are dealing with at the time).

Step 2

Your Confirmation of Visa Issuance 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 London.

Items you will need to take/send to the embassy in London

1. Valid passport - with at least 6 months validity and 2 empty pages for processing
2. ONE passport photo
3. ONE Health Statement Form (yes, another one) - completed with the EXACT SAME ANSWERS as the first
4. ONE Completed E2 visa application
5. Visa Confirmation of Issuance number (will be emailed to you from either us or your employer)
6. Visa Processing fee - ￡25 - Check with the Embassy, as it is subject to change
7. *A prepaid postage return envelope, if mailing (Priority Post or express courier)

The three items below are not usually needed. It is a good idea to call the Embassy to find out if they will require them from you.

• ONE Photocopy of your degree certificate
• ONE SET of official transcripts
  
• ONE Photocopy of your Subject Access
  

If you are sending them by mail, you need to send these documents by courier 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.

Before you take/send your documents to the embassy, call them to let them know to expect your documents.

The process should take between 5-10 business days to complete (depending on the volume of applications they are dealing with at the time).

If you receive 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!