Process to Get an E2 Teaching Visa in Korea

Alright, so there's a job offer on the table, you have now accepted it and the school has accepted you as their teacher. Congrats! That's great! The adventure is about to begin!

The process to get your E2 teaching visa in South Korea differs slightly if you are going to work in a Public School from a Private School, Private Language School or International School.

Getting an E2 Visa for Private Language Schools, Private Schools and International Schools

First you send your documents to Korea (by DHL, FedEx or UPS)
Do NOT send your documents via the Post Office or Purolator. Deliver can take 5 days to 2 weeks or more and there is no way for us or the school to keep track of your documents once they are in Korea (USPS can't track it within Korea).
Once you've sent your documents, please retain a copy of your invoice with the tracking # of your package and the address you sent it to and please send Footprints a copy of the tracking number and tell us what company you used.
This will cost $40 to $80 to send depending on the company you chose, the weight and the service you use. It sounds rather expensive- and it is- but well worth it when you are sending your original degree, transcripts and your record check that all can take a very long time to replace if lost.
Once the school has received all of your documents, they will bring your documents to their local immigration office.
Within 7-10 working days, the immigration office will issue a Confirmation of Visa Issuance Number.
The number will look something like this: UJBO 08007392 (The first four characters are letters, the remaining characters are numbers)
The school will then forward this number (by e-mail) to you (or us). You will need this code to put on your visa application for the consulate. NEXT STEP: Interview at the Korean Consulate

Getting an E2 Visa for Korean Public Schools

send original or notarized copy of your degree
send sealed transcripts
send 2 passport sized photos
send a signed copy of the contract
health check statement - certifying you are in good health
criminal background check
2 letters of reference

Once all these documents arrive in Korea the following occurs:

Your employer takes those documents to the Ministry of Justice.
Your employer receives a Confirmation of Visa Issuance Number and emails that to you or to us and we email it to you.

As soon as you receive that Confirmation of Visa Issuance Number:

Print the Korea Visa Application Form.
Enter your Visa Confirmation Number on the top of the application form.
Send or take your documents to the nearest Korean consulate Public School Teachers - Documents to Send or Take to the Korean Consulate To Get Your Visa:
1. Valid Passport
2. Korea Visa Application form duly completed and signed
3. One recent passport-format color photo
4. CAD $65.00 money order, payable to the Korean Consulate (NO personal cheques)
5. Out-of-town locations: Prepaid, self-addressed return envelope. In all countries but Canada you can use any courier or registered mail company. In Canada, specifically at the Toronto Korean Consulate they assert that they will ONLY accept Xpresspost or Priority of Canada Post deliveries. PAY ATTENTION if you're from there.
6. A copy of your university degree (make sure you have a notarized copy - one will go to Korea, the other to the consulate. Some consulates require this, others don't. They can ask so it's best to be prepared)
7. A sealed copy of your university transcripts
8. Original employment contract from the superintendent of Educational Affairs
9. Original Notice of appointment