Visa guide · Asia

E-2 Visa for Teaching English in South Korea

Korea's standard work visa for native-English ESL teachers. Bachelor's, criminal check, sealed transcripts.

The E-2 is the visa almost every ESL teacher in Korea uses. It's tied to a specific employer (hagwon, EPIK, university, or international school) and runs in one-year contracts that match the standard hiring cycle. Switching jobs requires a release letter from your current employer and a fresh visa run.

What you need

  • 1Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in a native-English country (US, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa)
  • 2Original sealed university transcripts plus a sealed apostilled degree certificate
  • 3Criminal background check from your home country, apostilled, issued within the last 6 months
  • 4Medical check confirming negative for HIV and drug use (administered after arrival)
  • 5Passport-style photos and a clean passport
  • 6120-hour TEFL/TESOL certificate strongly preferred and increasingly required

The process

  1. Step 1

    1. Secure a job offer

    EPIK, GEPIK, or a specific hagwon. The employer initiates the visa paperwork.

  2. Step 2

    2. Apostille and ship your documents

    Apostille the FBI check (US) or equivalent, plus your degree certificate. Mail to the employer or recruiter in Korea.

  3. Step 3

    3. Issuance number arrives

    Korean immigration issues an E-2 visa number once your paperwork is verified. Typically 2-3 weeks after documents arrive in Korea.

  4. Step 4

    4. Apply at a Korean consulate

    Take the issuance number plus the rest of your application to a Korean consulate in your home country. Visa stamped in 5-10 business days.

  5. Step 5

    5. Land in Korea, complete on-arrival steps

    Medical check within 30 days, Alien Registration Card (ARC) within 90 days. Your employer arranges most of this.

Common questions

Can I switch jobs on an E-2?

Yes, but you need a Letter of Release from your current employer. Without it, you must leave the country and re-apply. Many hagwons issue these without trouble; some don't.

Do I have to apply from my home country?

Yes. The consulate that issues your E-2 must be in your country of citizenship. Some teachers do visa runs via Fukuoka, Japan after the first contract.

Is the F-series visa better?

If you qualify, yes. F-2 (resident) and F-4 (overseas Korean) visas let you work for any employer. F-6 (marriage) is similar. These don't tie you to a sponsor like the E-2 does.

Country guide

Teach English in South Korea

EPIK, hagwons, and university roles. E-2 visa support is standard.

See the full South Korea guide →

Other visa guides

Z Visa (China)

China's work visa for foreign teachers. Two years' work experience, TEFL, and a notarized background check required.

Instructor Visa (Japan)

Japan's visa for K-12 ALT and public school teaching roles. Bachelor's required, native-English speaker preference.

Auxiliares de Conversación (Spain)

Spain's government language assistant program. Stipend plus a student visa for non-EU citizens.

Work Permit and TRC (Vietnam)

Vietnam's combination of Work Permit plus Temporary Residence Card. Bachelor's + TEFL + health check.

Non-Immigrant B Visa (Thailand)

Thailand's work visa for foreign teachers. Bachelor's + TEFL + Thai teacher license (waiverable for first 2 years).

Work Visa (UAE)

Tax-free employment visa for licensed K-12 teachers in the UAE. Strict credential requirements but high pay.