Working in Korea · E-2 Visa at the Consulate
Once a Korean school hires you, the visa itself is issued at a Korean consulate (or a visa application center) in your own country — the final step before you fly. This guide covers how that consular step works in 2026: booking, documents, fees, and processing time. Written by OK Recruiting, a Korea-based teacher recruiter (since 2006).
The short version
- Your school first obtains a Certificate of Confirmation of Visa Issuance (a visa issuance number). You then complete the visa at the consulate — the number is valid 3 months, single use.
- Most Korean missions now require you to book an appointment online first — walk-ins are increasingly not accepted.
- Plan for 2–4 weeks of processing (no paid express service), and don’t book flights until the visa is in hand.
- As of 2026 Procedures and fees vary by consulate and nationality — always check your own mission’s page.
How the Consular Step Works
Teaching visas are issued in two halves. First, your employer applies to Korean immigration and receives a Certificate of Confirmation of Visa Issuance (사증발급인정서) — a number valid for three months and good for one visa application. Then you take that number to a Korean consulate or visa center to have the E-2 issued into your passport. Here’s the current process, step by step.
Book your consulate visit online
Most Korean missions now require an advance reservation through the 365 Overseas Korean Portal (consul.mofa.go.kr) — bookings can’t be made by phone or email. Some consulates (for example Chicago and Seattle) still accept mail-in applications for residents who live far away. Check your consulate’s own notice before you go.
Prepare your documents
- The current visa application form, with your visa issuance number written on it (download the form from your consulate or KVAC — not from old third-party copies)
- Passport with at least 6 months validity
- One recent color photo — 2×2 in (US) or 3.5×4.5 cm biometric (KVAC), taken within 6 months, not home-printed
- The visa fee (see below)
- Any consulate-specific extras: a consul’s checklist, health statement, or proof you live in that consulate’s jurisdiction
Submit — in person, by mail, or via KVAC
How you submit depends on your country (see the table below). In the US and Canada you apply directly at the consulate; in the UK and much of Europe you go through an IOM-run Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC).
Wait for processing
Allow roughly 2–4 weeks. Los Angeles quotes “more than 14 days,” Seattle “3–4 weeks,” and KVAC applications (adjudicated in Berlin) up to 3 weeks — longer during the summer and winter peak seasons. There’s no paid expedited service. Your passport is held during processing; you can track status on the Korea Visa Portal (visa.go.kr).
Collect your visa and travel
Pick up in person or by courier return. Korea now issues a printed Visa Grant Notice rather than a passport sticker in many cases. Once issued, you generally need to enter Korea within 3 months. Book your flight only after the visa is confirmed.
Where You Apply, by Country
| Where you’re applying | How to submit | Note |
|---|---|---|
| USA / Canada | Directly at the Korean consulate — by appointment, or mail-in where offered | Some consulates (e.g. Seattle) say do not mail your original passport; send a notarized copy for mail-in |
| UK, Germany, France, Netherlands | IOM-run Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC) | KVAC London is postal-only, and European applications are reviewed by the Korean Embassy in Berlin |
Visa Fees in 2026
| Applicant | Fee |
|---|---|
| US applicant — single entry, over 90 days (E-2) | US$60 |
| US citizen — any visa type (flat) | US$45 |
| UK national via KVAC London | €180 visa fee + €60 KVAC service fee (+ €15 optional courier) |
Visa fees are set by nationality on a reciprocity basis, so the exact amount depends on your passport — check your consulate’s fee notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an appointment to apply for an E-2 visa at a Korean consulate in 2026?
At most Korean consulates, yes. In-person applicants must book a visit in advance through the 365 Overseas Korean Portal (consul.mofa.go.kr); reservations cannot be made by phone or email. Some consulates, such as Chicago and Seattle, also accept mail-in applications for residents who live far away. Check your consulate’s own notice before you go.
What documents do I need at the consulate if I already have my visa issuance number?
You typically submit the current visa application form with your visa issuance number on it, your passport with at least 6 months of validity, one recent color photo (2×2 inches in the US, or 3.5×4.5 cm biometric at KVAC), the visa fee, and any consulate-specific extras such as a consul’s checklist, health statement, or proof of residency. Requirements vary slightly, so download the checklist from your own consulate’s website.
How long does E-2 visa processing take in 2026?
Plan for roughly 2 to 4 weeks. The Korean Consulate in Los Angeles states processing takes more than 14 days, Seattle quotes 3 to 4 weeks, and KVAC applications reviewed by the Korean Embassy in Berlin take up to 3 weeks, longer during the summer and winter peak seasons. There is no paid expedited service.
How much does the E-2 visa cost in 2026?
In the United States, the standard fee for a single-entry visa over 90 days is 60 US dollars, but US citizens pay a flat 45 dollars for any visa type. UK nationals applying through KVAC London pay a 180-euro visa fee plus a mandatory 60-euro service fee. Fees are set by nationality, so check your consulate’s fee notice.
How do UK citizens apply for an E-2 visa in 2026?
Through the Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC) in London, run by IOM, because the Korean Embassy in London does not accept work-visa applications. KVAC London accepts applications by post only, with the original passport included, and applications are reviewed by the Korean Embassy in Berlin, since Korea centralized European visa processing there.
How long is my visa issuance number valid?
The Certificate of Confirmation of Visa Issuance is valid for 3 months from issuance and can be used for one visa application only. You must apply at the consulate within that window, and once the visa is issued you generally need to enter Korea within 3 months. Track your application on the Korea Visa Portal (visa.go.kr).
Disclaimer: Consular procedures, fees, and forms differ by mission and change over time; this guide is current as of 2026. Always confirm the requirements with the specific Korean consulate or visa center you will use before applying.
