Getting a Teaching Visa For South Korea

SLOW DOWN and READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS

The process from here is critical. A missed step, an opened transcript or a forgotten signature can extend the process by a month.

Once you have agreed to a contract to teach English in South Korea, the next step is getting your visa.

The procedure to get your visa has been subject to a great many changes and evolutions recently so if you come across any new changes please immediately inform us. As an example, in British Columbia, Canada, applications who are from neighbouring provinces who are applying do not need to come to the consulate in-person to interview. Instead, they can send a CD with a voice-recording...

Read on. The procedures and required documents outlined here are the standard procedures accepted and bases in all Korean Consulates as far as we are aware. Again, if you learn of any new or relevant information please let us know korea@footprintsrecruiting.com

A teaching visa in Korea is called an E-2 visa.
This visa is valid for one year from the date of entry.
Once issued it will say you have 90 days to enter the country.
The visa is good for 1 year from your date of entry into the country.
A single entry visa does not allow you to leave and return to Korea on the same visa. If you are planning on traveling internationally during your sojourn in Korea be sure you get a multiple entry E-2 visa.
- Americans are given multiple entry visas when automatically when they enter Korea, allowing them to travel internationally while living in Korea.
- Other nationalities must pay for for a multiple entry visa when applying for their Alien Registration Card after arrival in Korea. After arrival in Korea, your school owner or director will take you to the local immigration office to apply for an Alien Registration Card- which is essentially an ID card during your stay in Korea. (For those of you who really are aliens, this is your first step towards public recognition.)

Important Considerations*

2 or 3 year college DIPLOMA's do not qualify for an E2 work visa, even if you have a TESOL certificate.
Teachers must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited degree granting institute. Degree mill degrees are NOT accepted. Bachelor's degree programs that are 3 or 4 years are accepted.
An E-2 visa is specific to one school. You are not eligible to wor at multiple schools unless the director of your school applies for a rider for you. You are not allowed to work for another company with an E2 teaching visa or have a part time job.
An E2 visa is renewable in the country if you decide to re-sign with the school.
If you want to terminate your contract, you need a letter of release from your employer. Then you can sign another contract and you don't have to travel to Japan for another visa. Your visa will be transferred to the new school.
If you leave your school and you do not get a release letter from your employer then you can't come back until after your contract has expired.
You should give your employer two months notice before you leave so they can get a replacement for you. Remember this is about your students so please keep them in mind.

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