Korean Immigration will not accept original degrees- only notarized copies with original Apostille certificates will be accepted.

• Have a Masters? You will need to get a copy of that notarized and Apostilled as well.
• You will be asked to bring your original diploma with you to Korea.

Step 1: Notarization

1. Make a photocopy of your document (ideally in front of a notary public so they can witness it).
2. Show the original diploma and the photocopy of your diploma to any notary public.
3. Ask to have the photocopy of your diploma notarized as a true/exact copy

See example of the notary block here:

Step 2: Apostille

Notarized copies of degree must get an Apostille certificate from the appropriate issuing authority. This process varies a little from country to country and even state to state in the US. Be sure to consult with the issuing authority to ensure you submit the correct items needed.

‘Apostille’ is a French word for authentication or legalization. According to ‘The Hague Treaty’ of 1961, this is the method to ensure the international validity of a document.

NOTE: Do not remove the staple/grommet/binding of the Apostille!

If you want to fax or scan it to us, make a photocopy of it first and gently fold the pages. If some of the information is not included on the photocopy, that’s ok. The most important thing is not to disturb the staple. You will need to get a new Apostille if you tamper with the staple! (This happened last semester, and caused a LOT of problems for applicants)

REMEMBER:

• In all cases it is significantly faster to go in person to the above mentioned institutions.
• Make at least 2 photocopies of the final Apostille and degree- keep one for your records.
  • Keep your original degree with you, you will need it when you apply for your visa at the consulate.
• If you have a Masters or Doctorate degree, you need an Apostille certification for all of them. Do not send your original degree to Korea- only copy with original Apostille.

This Apostille process is not very common and many police departments are not familiar with it, so if you have ANY questions about this, please call us!

If it doesn't say "APOSTILLE" then it won't be accepted.

**You must have a 100% clean national level criminal record**

This check can take a long time to complete (depends on your police department- some take 5 minutes, some take 12 weeks!), so please order one as soon as you can. Korean immigration will only accept a record check that is less than 6 months and at the national level, so best get it done as soon as possible. People have lost their jobs because their record checks took longer than expected. Please follow the steps below to ensure that it is done properly and will be accepted by the immigration office in Korea. If these directions are not followed it could lead to delays in your visa and start date or loss of a great job! Ensure your name and birth date are correct on the check as well!

Korean immigration is very strict about this, exceptions are not made. If you have any charge including drunk driving, dismissed charges and any misdemeanor on your record (no matter how long ago), you will not be able to obtain a visa to teach in Korea for any school.

Please complete the following two steps in order:

Due to Korean immigration changes (December 31, 2010), all Americans need to submit an FBI Criminal Record Check who wish to arrive in Korea after January 1, 2011. These take about three months to get, so please order this now!

FBI Website for Record Checks: http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/fprequest.htm

The FBI site has some FAQ’s about the criminal record check that are very useful: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks/faqs

• This has to be an FBI Criminal Record Check, no private or state level Criminal Record Checks will be accepted.
• Teachers certificates that require clean record checks are also not acceptable forms of record checks.
• Please follow the steps on the website above. A few things to keep in mind:
  • Please go to a Fingerprinting technician to get your fingerprints taken
  • You can only pay by credit card, money order, or a cashiers check. NO PERSONAL CHECKS
• Have the results sent back to you. DO NOT have the results sent to Footprints.
• There is no way to get this expedited- everyone must wait up to 3 months for the results.
• Request that the FBI authenticate the record check for your Criminal Record Check (sign & seal/stamp it)

Sample of AUTHENTICATED report from FBI:

Sample of NON-Authenticated report from FBI:

• Have the report Apostilled
  • From the FBI regarding obtaining an Apostille:
  • "Does the FBI provide apostilles*?
    • (*An apostille is a certification that a document that has been “legalized” or “authenticated” by the issuing agency through a process in which various seals are placed on the document.) The CJIS Division will authenticate U.S. Department of Justice Order 556-73 fingerprint search results for international requests by placing the FBI seal and the signature of a division official on the results if requested at the time of submission. Documents prepared in this way may then be sent to the U.S. Department of State by the requester to obtain an apostille if necessary. This procedure became effective on January 25, 2010 and will apply only to documents finalized after that date. Requests to authenticate previously processed results will not be accepted. This procedure replaces the letter formerly provided by the CJIS Division that indicated the service was not provided. The apostille service is not provided to individuals requesting search results for Canadian immigration, as it is not required for this."
• The best way to get the Apostille is to send your FBI report to the US Department of State in Washington DC. According to their website it currently takes 15 business days to process and costs $8 per document. If you live anywhere near Washington DC, they can actually do it while you wait.
• There are private companies out there that can also do this (typically cost about $200), but they can get it done quickly. We cannot recommend any particular one as we have not heard any reviews nor used any.
• US Department of State: Office of Authentications: http://www.state.gov/m/a/auth/index.htm
• US Department of State: Apostille Requirements: http://www.state.gov/m/a/auth/c16921.htm

Sample Apostille from Department of State in Washington DC:

Did your FBI report come without the authentication? Not to worry, you can send it back to the FBI for the authentication.

Every American Criminal Record Check MUST have the Apostille attached to it

Please complete the following steps in order:

1. Order a Criminal Record Check from your local police department
   • This can be done at a local or provincial police station as long as the CPIC database is used as the check must search a national database. Private company reports are not permitted. RCMP/fingerprint checks are acceptable as well.
   • A Vulnerable sector check is not required, however it is recommended.
2. Have the police department notarize the report if possible.
   • Only if the police department cannot notarize the record check themselves, have the results notarized by a local Notary Public (lawyer). See Notarization and Apostille instructions at the end of this section for further details.
3. If your police department asks who the check is for- you can use Footprints Recruiting Inc. and use our address: 500-55 Water St, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6B 1A1, 604-677-6556.
4. Pick up the results yourself or have them sent back to you.
5. Have report notarized

• Step 1: Notarization : Here is the process to get a document notarized

1. Make a photocopy of your document (ideally in front of a notary public so they can witness it).
2. Show the original diploma and the photocopy of your diploma to any notary public.
3. Ask to have the photocopy of your diploma notarized as a true/exact copy
4. If your Criminal Record Check did not come notarized from the police department, you can take your Criminal Record Check to any notary public and ask to have a copy notarized as well.

• Step 2: Korean consular seal attached

1. Bring/send the notarized copy and original degree along with a copy of your passport and a set of transcripts to your Korean consulate for the consular seal: http://www.footprintsrecruiting.com/korea-information/visa-information/
2. Call your consulate to ensure you have the correct items they need for notarization.
3. It will cost $4.40 per document (could change- contact your consulate).
4. Send by Xpresspost only to Korean Consulates in Canada [& include a pre-paid return Xpresspost (only) envelope pre-addressed.]
5. Every Canadian Criminal Record Check MUST have the Korean consular seal on it: see Notarization and Apostille instructions at the end of this section

   

Please complete the following steps in order:

1. Order a police clearance record check with a Subject Access Form. This will likely take 30-40 days. (Disclosure Scotland NOT OK- they have been rejected by Korean immigration in early 2011). A BASIC disclosure/check is perfectly ok; the advanced search is not required.
   • CRB check is not required. Footprints nor your school are a registered organization to request a CRB.
   • If they ask who the check is for- you can use Footprints Recruiting Inc. and use our address: 500-55 Water St, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6B 1A1, +1 604-677-6556.
2. Have the results sent back to you.
3. Have report notarized and Apostilled
   • Process to get a document notarized:
     • Make a photocopy of your document (ideally in front of a notary public so they can witness it).
     • Show the original diploma and the photocopy of your diploma to any notary public.
     • Ask to have the photocopy of your diploma notarized as a true/exact copy
     • If your Criminal Record Check did not come notarized from the police department, you can take your Criminal Record Check to any notary public and ask to have a copy notarized as well.
4. Apostille documents:
   1. Bring/send the locally notarized copy to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office for the Apostille legalization. (Sometimes referred to as a postil): http://www.footprintsrecruiting.com/korea-information/visa-information/
   2. Include a return envelope with postage and your address.
   3. Include the fee for the notarization.
   4. More information on the Apostille process and the FCO follow this link: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-the-fco/what-we-do/docs-and-legal-services/legalisation/
   5. Every UK record check MUST have an Apostille attached: see Notarization and Apostille instructions at the end of this section.
   

Ensure that your passport is valid for at least another full year and has a couple blank pages for new visa stamps! Make a few photocopies of the photo/information page.

Do NOT send your original passport to Korea. You will need to send your physical passport to the Korean Consulate LATER in the visa process. If you don’t have one, apply ASAP.

Standard passport photos – the same that you would need to apply for a new passport (no stamp on the back necessary). You WILL need to obtain FOUR (4) passport photos throughout the whole process

• 2 will be sent to your school (then on to Korean immigration)
• 1 or 2 will be sent to the consulate
• You will need some for immigration when you arrive in Korea for your alien registration card.
• Always a good idea to have some extras around.
• Do not glue or tape the photos

Good Photo	Bad Photo

This means transcripts (your university grades) in an unopened envelope from your university with a stamp or signature over the seal. See examples.

We suggest ordering 3 sets of sealed transcripts (4 for Canadians).

1. First set may be needed at the Korean Consulate (in Canada) to notarize copy of degree.
2. Second set will have to be sent to your school in Korea.
3. Third set might need to be sent to the Korean Consulate only once your Notice of Appointment has been issued along with other documentation.

Sample:

You can download the health statement here. You should have already submitted a scan of this to Footprints. Ensure that you send the original with an ink signature- no copies allowed.