Thinking about teaching English in Korea? Below, we answer the most common questions about visa requirements, salary, housing, work hours, benefits, and daily life in Korea.
✔ Requirements & Visa (자격 요건 및 비자)
1. Which nationalities are eligible to teach English in Korea?
A: To obtain an E-2 teaching visa, strict Korean immigration laws require citizenship from one of the following 7 countries:
- USA
- Canada
- UK
- Ireland
- Australia
- New Zealand
- South Africa
Note: If you are a Canadian citizen from Quebec, you must provide proof that your education was conducted in English from middle school onwards.
2. Can I teach in Korea without a bachelor’s degree?
A: Generally, No.
A standard E-2 visa requires a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree (3 or 4-year program) from an accredited university. The major of your degree does not matter.
*Exception: TaLK scholars (Associate degree) or F-visa holders (Residency visa) may be exempt.
3. Is a TEFL/TESOL certification necessary?
A: It is highly recommended.
While a degree is the minimum legal requirement, a 100+ hour TEFL/TESOL certificate:
- Increases your chances of getting hired by preferred schools.
- Often qualifies you for a higher salary bracket.
- Is mandatory for the EPIK (Public School) program.
4. What is the process for obtaining an E-2 visa?
A: Once your documents arrive in Korea, the process typically takes 4 to 7 weeks.
- Job Offer: Signing a contract with a school.
- Document Submission: Sending apostilled Degree and Criminal Record Check (CRC) to Korea.
- Visa Issuance: The immigration office issues a Visa Issuance Number (VIN).
- Consulate Visit: You apply for the actual visa at the Korean consulate in your country.
5. Why is a photo required in the application process?
A: In Korean hiring culture, a professional headshot is standard practice. Since most interviews are conducted remotely, a professional photo helps schools gain a first impression of your demeanor and professionalism.
✔ Salary & Benefits (급여 및 혜택)
6. What is the salary range for English teachers?
A: As of 2026, the average monthly salary depends on your experience:
- Entry Level: 2.3 ~ 2.5 million KRW
- Experienced: 2.6 ~ 3.0 million KRW+
7. How often will I receive my salary?
A: Teachers are paid monthly.
Most contracts stipulate payday on a specific date (e.g., the 10th of the following month).
8. Is housing provided?
A: Yes, rent-free housing is the industry standard.
Schools provide a single studio apartment (Officetel) near the school. It comes furnished with a bed, refrigerator, washing machine, air conditioner, and stove.
*You are only responsible for monthly utility bills (Gas/Electric/Internet).
9. Is airfare to Korea covered?
A: Yes, in most cases.
Most contracts include One-way airfare reimbursement (upon arrival) or a flight ticket provided upfront. Some schools also offer return airfare upon completion of the 12-month contract.
10. Is health insurance provided?
A: Yes.
By law, E-2 teachers are enrolled in the National Health Insurance (NHIS).
- Cost: Approx. 3.5% of your salary is deducted, and the school matches this amount.
- Coverage: Medical visits and prescriptions are very affordable (e.g., a doctor’s visit costs ~$5 USD).
11. What is the cost of living in Korea?
A: Very affordable.
Since you have no rent to pay, your disposable income is high.
- Average Savings: Teachers typically save $800 – $1,500 USD per month.
- Utilities: $50 – $100/month.
- Transport: Subway/Bus is ~$1.00 per ride.
12. Are there any fees for your recruiting service?
A: No!
OK Recruiting is 100% free for teachers. Our fees are paid entirely by the hiring schools. You should never pay an agency to find a job in Korea.
✔ Work Life & Schools (업무 및 학교 유형)
13. How to find teaching jobs in Korea?
A: You can find verified teaching jobs through a reliable recruiting agency like OK Recruiting. We update our job board daily with positions from vetted schools.
14. What are the working hours and school types?
A: While Public Schools (EPIK) have standard day shifts (8:30 AM – 4:30 PM), Private Academies (Hagwons) have four main types of shifts:
- Preschool / Kindergarten: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (or 6:00 PM)
- Kindergarten + Elementary: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (or 6:00 PM)
- Elementary: 1:00 PM (or 2:00 PM) – 9:00 PM (or 10:00 PM)
- Adult English: Block shifts or Split shifts (Varies by academy)
Note on Teaching Teens: Because of Korea’s education system, most teenagers focus strictly on college entrance exams. For this reason, there are very few private English institutes that teach English conversation to teens only.
15. How many vacation days do I get?
A: The legal minimum for private academies is 11 days of paid vacation per year, plus Korean National Holidays. (Public schools typically offer more vacation days).
16. Are shorter contracts available?
A: Rarely.
The standard contract length is 12 months (1 year). This corresponds with the E-2 visa duration. Completing a 1-year contract also qualifies you for a Severance Pay bonus (one month’s extra salary).
17. Do I need to speak Korean?
A: No.
You are hired to teach English in English. Speaking Korean in class is often discouraged to maximize student immersion. However, learning basic “Survival Korean” is highly recommended for your life outside the classroom.
18. What support is available for first-time teachers?
A: You are not alone. OK Recruiting and your school provide:
- Pre-departure: Visa document guidance.
- Arrival: Airport pickup arrangements and housing setup.
- Training: Schools typically provide curriculum training and observation periods before you start teaching solo.
✔ Living in Korea (생활 및 꿀팁)
19. How can I prepare for cultural differences?
A: Korea is modern but traditional.
- Respect: Bowing is the standard greeting.
- Hierarchy: Respect for age and seniority is important.
- Safety: Korea is extremely safe, but always be respectful of local laws and customs.
20. Can I bring my pet to Korea?
A: Yes, but it is challenging.
- Process: Requires strict rabies tests, microchipping, and quarantine.
- Housing: Finding pet-friendly housing is difficult. You must inform OK Recruiting in advance so we can filter schools that allow pets.
21. What should I pack?
A: Pack for 4 seasons.
- Essentials: Deodorant (hard to find specific brands), toothpaste, and clothes/shoes if you wear larger sizes.
- Meds: Bring a supply of personal prescriptions.
✔ Documents, Contracts & Your First Month (서류·계약·첫 달)
22. Do I need to apostille my documents before I accept a job?
A: Before.
Have your apostilled degree and apostilled national criminal background check ready before you accept an offer. Korean immigration won’t issue your visa code until these documents arrive in Korea, and the apostille step alone can take weeks in your home country — so doing it early is what keeps your start date on track.
23. What is an ARC (Alien Registration Card), and when do I get it?
A: The ARC is your foreign-resident ID card in Korea, registered at immigration (hikorea.go.kr) within your first weeks after arrival — you can’t apply for it from abroad. It’s the key that unlocks a Korean bank account, a phone contract, and home internet, so most teachers prioritize it immediately on arrival.
24. Are repayment or penalty clauses in my contract enforceable?
A: Korean labor law sits above your contract.
A school can lawfully recover the actual airfare it paid if you leave early for your own reasons (public-school programs like EPIK work the same way) — but a fixed penalty for quitting, or extra recruiting/admin fees piled on top, are prohibited under Article 20 of the Labor Standards Act, and any term below the legal minimum is void under Article 15. Complete your 12-month contract and none of it applies.
25. What is a “housing management deposit,” and is it refundable?
A: It covers practical risks like unpaid utility bills or damage to the apartment, and it’s normally returned at the end of your contract if there are no outstanding bills or damage. Ask for the exact amount and the return conditions in writing.
26. Am I paid during the training period?
A: Yes.
Training days are paid at the rate stated in your contract — often a reduced rate for a few days of orientation and observation before you teach full classes. If that figure ever fell below Korea’s minimum wage for the hours you actually work, the minimum wage would apply, because the law overrides the clause.
27. The visa form asks for a Korean address and phone — what do I use if I don’t have one yet?
A: Use your school’s address and phone number for the “details of visit” and contact fields. For “details of invitation,” ask your school for its business registration number. Forms vary by consulate, so always fill in the exact one your recruiter sends you.
28. What are my upfront costs, and how much should I budget for my first weeks?
A: Budget for three things:
- Airport transport: ~₩15,000 (airport limousine bus).
- In-Korea medical check (for the ARC): ~₩80,000–150,000, not covered by insurance.
- ARC government fee: ~₩30,000–35,000 (set by immigration and subject to change).
Your first salary arrives on the school’s regular payday, which can be several weeks after you start — so land with a cushion.
29. Can I book my medical check and ARC appointment before I arrive?
A: No.
Both happen in Korea, after you arrive. The health check must be done at a designated Korean hospital (a checkup from your home country won’t be accepted), and the ARC is registered through hikorea.go.kr once you’re in the country. Most teachers complete both within their first few weeks.
30. How do utility bills work, and when are they connected?
A: Electricity and water are usually on from the day you move in; internet often can’t be installed until you have your ARC. Because the lease is usually in the school’s name, you’ll often pay utilities to the school, which settles with the providers — but confirm the exact arrangement, since schools handle it slightly differently.
31. How do I get from the airport to my apartment, and what’s the dress code / tattoo policy?
A: An airport limousine bus is usually the most comfortable way to your city; you can buy the ticket on arrival, and many schools meet you at the local stop. At work, smart casual is the norm at most academies, and visible tattoos are usually fine as long as they’re covered during school hours — though policies vary, so it’s worth asking before you arrive.
32. How much should I load on my T-money card at first?
A: About ₩20,000–30,000 to start. A subway or city-bus trip is roughly ₩1,500, and transfers within 30 minutes are discounted, so that covers your first week or two of commuting. There’s no need to load more up front — you can top up in seconds at any subway-station machine or convenience store (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven). The same card also works on most taxis and at convenience-store counters.
33. Can I pay for the airport bus with my T-money card, or is it separate? Card or cash?
A: It’s separate — you don’t need anything loaded on T-money for the airport bus. When you land, buy your ticket at the airport-limousine ticket booth or a self-service kiosk in the arrivals hall; both take a credit/debit card or cash (about ₩15,000–17,000 to central Seoul). Tapping a T-money card on board is mainly for buses heading to the airport, not leaving it. If you’d rather use rail, the all-stop AREX airport train lets you tap in and out with a T-money card.
34. Can I pay the medical check and ARC fees by card, or is it cash only?
A: Different answers for the two. The E-2 medical check (₩80,000–150,000) can be paid by credit/debit card — designated hospitals take cards at the payment desk. The ARC government fee (about ₩30,000) is effectively cash-based at the immigration office, so carry it in cash to be safe; many offices have a bank counter or ATM inside, and some now accept online pre-payment, but a plain foreign card isn’t guaranteed at the counter. Fees are set by immigration and can change — confirm the current amount at hikorea.go.kr.