Your E-2 documents are the make-or-break part of teaching in Korea — and two of them, your degree and your criminal check, have to be apostilled before they’ll be accepted. Get those moving first; everything else is faster.
A step-by-step E-2 visa document checklist for foreign English teachers, maintained by OK Recruiting, a Korea-based agency placing teachers since 2006. Current as of 2026.
Before you submit: immigration rules change, and the accepted age of your criminal check and apostille varies by consulate. Always confirm current requirements with the Korean embassy/consulate in your home country or via HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr).
Who qualifies
The E-2 teaching visa is open to citizens of Korea’s seven designated English-speaking countries who meet three core requirements:
- Citizenship of the USA, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa.
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
- A clean, national-level criminal record.
The two documents you must apostille
Almost every delay traces back to these two. Start them the day you decide to apply.
University degree
A notarized copy of your diploma, then apostilled by the competent authority in the country that issued it.
National criminal check
A national-level background check (FBI, ACRO, RCMP, etc.), apostilled. It must be recently issued — confirm the accepted age with your consulate.
All seven eligible countries use the Hague Apostille system, so no embassy legalization is needed — an apostille is enough.
How the E-2 process actually flows
Knowing the order saves weeks. A typical timeline:
- Prepare and apostille your degree and criminal check (the slow part — start early).
- Send your documents to your recruiter or school in Korea, along with a signed contract, passport copy, photos, and health statement.
- Your school files for a Visa Issuance Confirmation 사증발급인정서 · VIN at its local Korean immigration office. This step happens in Korea, not by you.
- You apply at the Korean consulate in your home country using the issued confirmation number — this makes the consulate step faster.
- Enter Korea and complete the medical check, then apply for your Alien Registration Card (ARC) at immigration within your first weeks.
Some applicants apply directly at the consulate without a pre-issued confirmation number; your recruiter or consulate will tell you which route applies to you.
Document prep by country
Where to notarize and apostille each document, by nationality:
| Country | Degree — apostille authority | Criminal check — issuer & apostille |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Notarize copy → apostille from your state Secretary of State | FBI check (use an approved channeler for speed) → apostille via the US Dept. of State |
| United Kingdom | Notarize → apostille at the FCDO | Basic DBS or ACRO certificate → apostille at FCDO |
| Canada | Notarize → apostille via Global Affairs Canada or province | RCMP fingerprint-based check → apostille (Canada joined the apostille system in Jan 2024) |
| Ireland | Notarize → apostille from the DFA | Police certificate from An Garda Síochána → apostille |
| Australia | Notarize → apostille from DFAT | AFP National Police Check → apostille from DFAT |
| New Zealand | Notarize → apostille via the NZ Government | Criminal Conviction History from the Ministry of Justice → apostille |
| South Africa | Verify via SAQA → notarize → apostille from DIRCO only | SAPS police clearance (fingerprints) → apostille via DIRCO. Start months ahead. |
Key terms
- Notarization
- Certification by a Notary Public confirming a copy is authentic.
- Apostille
- An international validation under the Hague Apostille Convention that makes a document legally acceptable in Korea. All seven eligible countries use it.
Your final submission package
- Apostilled copy of your university degree
- Apostilled national criminal record check
- Signed employment contract
- Photocopy of your passport ID page (passport valid 6+ months)
- E-2 health statement (provided by your recruiter)
- Passport photos, 3.5×4.5 cm — see the note below on how many
On photos: the consulate visa application itself usually needs just one photo, but you’ll use more later — for visa issuance, the medical check, and your ARC. Bringing about four to six covers every stage, so you’re never caught short.
Public-school (EPIK) applicants: you’ll also need official sealed transcripts; most hagwon E-2 applications don’t require them.
Frequently asked questions
Which countries qualify for the Korean E-2 teaching visa?
Citizens of the USA, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa who hold a bachelor’s degree and a clean national-level criminal record.
Do I need to apostille my degree for the E-2 visa?
Yes. Both your university degree and your national criminal background check must be apostilled before you submit them. All seven eligible countries use the Hague Apostille system.
How many passport photos do I need for the E-2 visa?
The consulate visa application itself usually needs only one 3.5×4.5 cm photo, but you’ll use more later for visa issuance, the medical check, and your Alien Registration Card. Preparing about four to six covers the whole process.
What is a Visa Issuance Confirmation (사증발급인정서)?
It’s a confirmation your school applies for at Korean immigration on your behalf. With the issued number, your consulate application in your home country is quicker. Some applicants instead apply directly at the consulate — your recruiter will tell you which route applies.
How long does the E-2 visa process take?
Once you have a signed contract, the consulate application usually takes about two to three weeks. The apostille steps are the slow part, so prepare your degree and criminal check well in advance.
Do I need my transcripts for the E-2 visa?
For most hagwon E-2 applications, no — the apostilled degree and criminal check are the core documents. Public-school (EPIK) applicants, however, also need official sealed transcripts.
Sources & notes: Requirements per Korea Immigration (hikorea.go.kr) and issuing-country authorities linked above. Apostille and criminal-check recency rules vary by consulate; this checklist is general information current as of 2026 — always confirm the current requirements with your Korean embassy/consulate before submitting.
