Qualifications & Required Documents for the E-2 Teaching Visa in Korea

Qualifications

To qualify for an E-2 teaching position in Korea, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Native English speaker and a citizen of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK, or the USA
  • Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • Teaching experience preferred but not required
  • TEFL certificate preferred but not required
  • Clean criminal record
  • No critical medical problems (including the ability to pass a drug test)

Required E-2 Visa Documents

The following documents are generally required to apply for an E-2 visa:

  1. Copy of university diploma with apostille
  2. Criminal record check with apostille, typically:
    • Australia & New Zealand citizens: National Police Check
    • Canadian citizens: RCMP check
    • South African citizens: Police Clearance Certificate
    • UK citizens: Basic Disclosure
    • US citizens: FBI background check
  3. Passport valid for at least 12 months
  4. 4 passport photos (size 3.5 x 4.5 cm)
  5. Self-medical check form — Download the form

Criminal Record Check by Country

Australia Citizens

Issuing organization: Australian Federal Police (AFP)

Link: https://www.afp.gov.au/what-we-do/services/criminal-records/national-police-checks

Canada Citizens

Issuing organization: RCMP

Link: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/

Ireland Citizens

Issuing organization: Garda Síochána

Link: https://www.garda.ie/en/About-Us/Online-Services/Data-Protection-FOI-Police-Certificates/Police-Certificates.html

New Zealand Citizens

Issuing organization: Ministry of Justice

Link: https://www.justice.govt.nz/criminal-records/get-your-own/

South Africa Citizens

Issuing organization: South African Police Service (SAPS)

Link: https://www.saps.gov.za/services/applying_clearence_certificate.php

UK Citizens

Issuing organization: mygov.scot

Link: https://www.mygov.scot/basic-disclosure/overview/

US Citizens

Issuing organization: FBI (processing can take up to 3 months)

Link: https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/compact-council/national-fingerprint-based-background-checks-steps-for-success

Tip: To speed up the FBI check, many applicants use an FBI-approved channeler (see the list on the FBI website).

Apostille & Document Authentication

Australia Citizens

Agency: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Link: https://smartraveller.gov.au/services/legalising-documents/pages/default.aspx

Canada Citizens

Link: https://www.international.gc.ca/gac-amc/about-a_propos/services/authentication-authentification/apostille-convention.aspx?lang=eng

Ireland Citizens

Agency: Department of Foreign Affairs

Link: https://www.dfa.ie/travel/our-services/authenticating-documents/

New Zealand Citizens

Agency: Department of Internal Affairs

Link: https://www.dia.govt.nz/apostille

South Africa Citizens

Agency: Department of International Relations & Cooperation (DIRCO)

Link: https://www.dirco.gov.za/consular/legalisation.htm

UK Citizens

Agency: Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO)

Link: https://www.gov.uk/get-document-legalised

US Citizens

List of trusted apostille/legalization agencies:

US Department of State — also provides authentication services but usually takes longer.
Link: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/replace-certify-docs/authenticate-your-document/authentication-certificate-requirements.html

■ For more details on visa types and requirements: Teach in Korea – Requirements & Visa Guide.

■ This also helps: From First Class to First Week: Your 7-Step Onboarding Checklist