Completed Application Form: (will be available from Footprints once released for new semester)

(ELECTRONIC version: .doc file)

All sections must be fully completed, please refer to the Application Form Instructions (created by EPIK) that was sent along with the application form you received.  The following are some tips that might not be in the instructions sent by EPIK.

Photo: This MUST be a scan of an official passport photo. You will be required to send his exact passport photo with your second round documents. (see later in guide for details).

Education & GPA: If you need more space to include your full educational history, then please add lines to the table. Your GPA is required. Please refer to the Public School forums on the Footprints website for a Q&A about GPA’s. EPIK will verify this against your transcripts later.

Work History: Your resume will not be sent to EPIK, so please include all your work history for at least 5 years.

Salary Level: Please check the corresponding level of employment (salary) that you are applying for. (Chart in ‘teaching with EPIK guide’). It’s up to you to indicate the right level and also prove your qualifications to meet that level. If you indicate that you will complete a TEFL course, you must complete it before arrival.

Placement Preference: Please pick five location preferences. Locations that are available are listed on the application form. If you are unsure or have no preference, see Wikipedia for more information on cities and areas of Korea: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cities_of_South_Korea. Please only write the cities or provinces listed and not a city within one of these provinces or a neighbourhood within one of the cities. If you do have a special request, please write it in this section clearly. EPIK cannot guarantee any location to anyone. Locations do fill throughout the semester, so availability changes- be sure you have selected locations available at the time of application.

Additional Personal Information:

• Criminal Record- if you have anything that will show on your record, please put it down. Only those with a totally clean record will be able to get a visa. If you are unsure about this, please call us. Those with drunk driving or any alcohol related charges will be denied a visa.
• Referral- if you were referred to EPIK from a current EPIK teacher, please fill in the details. This is not for your work/character reference.
• Applying for other positions: EPIK is seeking serious and committed applicants. They want to know EPIK is your first choice and that you won’t drop out if another offer comes along.

Personal Medical Assessment: Please be honest. You will be undergoing a medical exam in Korea that includes chest x-rays, blood and urine samples that will be tested for a huge range of things (most narcotics) and a TBPE test, HIV/AIDS test and other things. If you aren’t truthful on this form and something is found (especially drugs) you WILL lose your job and be deported. Double check that you agree to undergo physical tests to verify your answers!!

Housing: All teachers applying are assumed to take the housing provided. Only by very special request are housing allowances provided, and you must have all the arrangements made before applying (exact address etc).

Pets: Are you planning on bringing a pet to Korea? Please stop to reconsider. We highly recommend NOT bringing any pets. This WILL affect your employment potential, and you would likely have to find your own accommodation in Korea. If you insist on bringing a pet, you must let your placement coordinator know very early in the application process.

Personal Essay: Minimum 500 Words, max 2 standard pages (11 point Arial font preferred). We highly suggest your write about your motives to teach rather than travel. You’re applying to be a teacher, not a traveler or to learn Korean. Describe your teaching philosophies, methods and ability to adapt to new cultures.

Application Formatting: it’s very important that the formatting of the application form remain the same and pages do not have hanging lines of tables, odd spacing or anything else out of order. It takes us a LOT of time to have to adjust the formatting and slows your application when we have to take the time to fix it.

SCANNED or FAXED: (originals will be needed for second round)

You will need to submit two reference letters that follow these very specific guidelines.  There is no way for us to submit your application without these letters.  If you need any assistance acquiring these letters, please give us your referees email address and name, and we would be happy to contact them and request a reference letter for you by e-mail (no calls).  Please read all of the information below very closely as it does affect your application submission.  Sorry to give so many instructions, we just want to ensure you get a position with EPIK.  We have had a lot of applicants in the past that needed to get different/modified reference letters because their initial reference letters did not follow the guidelines closely enough.  They often missed out on the location of their choice of in some cases, they missed out on a position all together.

Guidelines from EPIK: Use this as a checklist for your letters

Who can write the letter?

• Letters must be from different sources (different companies, schools etc).
• Letters from only an academic source or a supervisor/superior at the job are acceptable.
• Letters from am employment source must be obtained from a current job or the most recent job.
• You can use two letters from the same university however, just not the same department. If you have worked at your university, you can get one letter from a professor, and one letter from your supervisor.  Basically, EPIK does not want two letters referring to the same academic or work experience.
• Recommendation letters from family members, relatives, friends, co-workers (not supervisor or superior), TA’s (at the university), clients, business partners, high school teachers, parents of the child from nanny or baby sitting jobs or neighbours are not acceptable.
• Letters from a nanny or au pair agency are acceptable.
• Letters from pastor or minister is acceptable on the condition that the other the other letter is very strong.
• Letters from co-teachers at Korean public schools or JET program are acceptable.
• Letters from ESL certification can be acceptable if the courses are at least four (4) weeks long and in-class courses (not online courses).
• Applicants who are currently working in Korea or who worked in Korea in the immediate past (January 2009 to present) should submit at least one recommendation letter obtained from his/her former employer in Korea.
• Letter should clearly state the relationship between the referee and the applicant, including the length and nature of the relationship: [Example: I was John Doe’s manager for 18 months at….]

What needs to be in the letter?

• Must include the name, job title, address, contacts and signature of the reference. Contacts must include telephone number and e-mail.
• Letters lacking evaluation by referee and only containing factual components are not acceptable. As a result, interview can not be scheduled.
• Letter could be written in either English or Korean
• Letter should have the applicants full first and last name
• Letter should speak to the applicant’s strengths and weaknesses relevant to teaching English in Korea and any other relevant information.

What does the letter need to look like?

• Must be printed out on the letter head of the institute where the referee belongs to.
• If your former supervisor no longer works at the company you worked at together, your referee can use their current company’s letterhead.  They can then explain in the letter that they were your supervisor when you both worked at the previous company.
• Ink signature or stamp of the institute must be included. Ink signature over the scanned image signature is not acceptable
• Must have an issue date, and may not be older than two (2) years.
• Hard copy of recommendation letters must be identical to the letters electronically submitted for interview.
• Letters addressed to recruiting agencies are not acceptable. Letters must be addressed to EPIK or unspecified subjects such as ‘To whom it may concern’
• Letters initially created as an electronic file are not acceptable; the original hard copy of recommendation letters should be opened, scanned and submitted as electronic files.
• Attaching envelopes is not mandatory
• Letter should be 1-2 pages long

What do you do with the letter?

• Scan and e-mail the letter to Footprints to include in your file.
• Keep the original (with real ink signature, no tracings!), it will have to be sent to Korea along with your second round documents.

If ANY of these items are missing, you WILL be asked to submit a new letter that fills all the requirements.

Your referee can scan or fax the original letter directly to us, just give them our fax number (+1 604-677-6556) or email address.  They will need to mail you the original letter so you can send it to Korea with the rest of your documents.

SAMPLES:

Good Letter:

Standard passport photos – the same that you would need to apply for a new passport (no stamp on the back necessary)..

Good Photo	Bad Photo

Good Photo >> Poor Photo >>

EPIK 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.

Don’t have your original diploma/degree yet?

If you won’t be getting your actual degree from your university until later, then you do have another option- Here is the process:

1. You will need to obtain a letter from your university to state that you’ve qualified to graduate (completed all coursework necessary) and that you are simply waiting for the degree to be printed.
   • This should be as official as possible- on letterhead, signed etc.
   • Notarization/Apostille/Consular seal not required.
2. You will need transcripts- these do not have to show you graduated yet.
   • Transcripts must remain sealed & stamped.

A letter from your university and transcripts will serve as a temporary placeholder for your actual degree and final transcripts.

You will still need to present the following to EPIK as soon as you receive them from your university (This is mandatory):

1. A copy of your degree with the Apostille certificate (Korean consular seal if in Canada)
2. One set of your final sealed transcripts that show you graduated.

If your university will not be issuing your diploma until after you go to Korea, you will need to ask your university to provide you with an official letter stating that you have graduated and you now hold a Bachelor’s degree. You will need to ask a friend or family member to then send you the Notarized copy of your degree with Apostille as soon as it is available.

You could have your job revoked if you can’t prove you graduated with your diploma [with proper certification of the copy (see Footprints Guide to EPIK for details on the Apostille process) and final sealed transcripts.

**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 (if you are in Korea, see page 21 for help to get fingerprints)
  • 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."

There are two options for getting the Apostille for your FBI criminal record check.

***The Seoul Ministry of Education will only accept apostilles that have gone through the Washington DC Department of State, all applicants who are focusing on Seoul public schools or have Seoul anywhere in there top 3 choices must receive their apostille in this manner. Let the placement team know if you have questions on this***

If not interested in teaching in Seoul, we recommend you try going though your Secretary of State first.  Here is the process to get the Apostille from the Secretary of State.

1. Call you Secretary of State in your State and ask if they can give an Apostille to an Affidavit and attach this to your FBI criminal record check.
2. Go to a notary public and ask if you can sign an Affidavit saying that your FBI criminal record check is an original FBI criminal record check. Take or send this to your Secretary of State to get an Apostille
3. You will then include the original FBI criminal record check as well as the Apostilled Affidavit.  They will most likely combine them all together.

• Please call your Secretary of State ahead of time to check this process and that they can provide an Apostille in this way.  If they can not, you will need to send your FBI criminal record check to the Department of State for the Apostille.
• Below is an EXAMPLE of what an Affidavit could look like from your notary public.  Please keep in mind that your notary public might have a different format.

The second 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 go to a notary public, swear an oath that the record check is legitimate and then have the record check and oath (see sample below) sent to your Secretary of State in your own state (see the degree section for Apostille process in your state).

Sample of oath:

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 OK as well). A BASIC disclosure/check is perfectly ok; the advanced search is not required.
   • CRB check is not required. Footprints nor EPIK is 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.

(digital copy was for 1st round, Printed & signed for 2nd round)

• This is the same EPIK application that you emailed for the first round. All sections must be fully completed.
• The form now needs to be printed, signed in ink and dated where necessary.
• You may have to update your location preferences to reflect what is available at the time of document submission.
• You may have to update your salary level to reflect any new qualifications you have (TEFL certificate complete etc).
• Ensure all questions are answered correctly, if there are mistakes, you will have to re-send to Korea by courier! (especially the medical check and survey sections).

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.

Please see additional information in first round documents section.

• These reference letters must match those you submitted scans of for the first round of documents.
• They MUST be ORIGINALS (no photocopies, printed scans etc). NO ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES!!
• If EPIK asked you to get different/new letters during your phone interview, be sure to get them ASAP.

Standard passport photos – the same that you would need to apply for a new passport (no stamp on the back necessary). MUST match exactly the photo on your EPIK application form.

• 2 will be sent to EPIK
• 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

The scan on your EPIK application MUST be of this photo.

Standard passport photos – the same that you would need to apply for a new passport (no stamp on the back necessary).

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.

**If you have a Masters degree: you will need transcripts from both Masters and Bachelors degrees to prove you qualify for the salary level offered (need Apostille certification for both degrees as well)

**If you attended more than one college or university (transferred), you will need to ensure that all of your classes from transfer credits appear on your graduating transcripts. If they do not show up on your graduating transcripts, you will need to order transcripts from the previous university you attended. 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 EPIK 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.
4. Fourth set for your records if needed later

Sample:

(notarization not required)

• It must be valid (expired certificates not accepted)
• Current & Valid Substitute/Temporary Teaching certificates accepted

MUST bring original certificate to orientation in Korea

(notarization not required)

It must contain:

• Hours of the course must be shown (must be at least 100 hour course to qualify for level 1 or 2 salary)
• If hours not shown on certificate, you must provide proof that course was at least 100 hours
• If you indicated on your application form that you will be completing a course, then you have sworn that you will complete the course before your arrival.
• You must bring the original certificate in hand at the start of orientation in order to qualify for the higher salary level.

(notarization not required)

It must contain:

• The school name, contact information – address, phone, e-mail etc.
• State that it was full time teaching
• Your full name
• Date: It MUST be dated after the completion of your contract. This is to ensure you completed your full academic year.
• Original ink signature of the principal
• This CAN be combined into your recommendation letter if needed, but must be clearly labelled on outside of envelope (and tell us to expect it!)
• Can be written in English or Korean
• Your working information:
  • period worked with month and year started and finished (ex Aug ’06 to Aug ‘07)
  • indication of full or part time teaching and the number of full or academic years completed (if not 365 days, please write ACADEMIC year)
  • Ex. “Sara Smith was a full time English teacher for one full academic year from 2008/08-2009/05”
• Must be original- no faxes, copies or e-mails will be accepted. Previous contracts are not accepted either (no proof they were completed).
• Since these letters relate to your salary level, it is extremely important to follow the requirements exactly. If they are not followed, you will not qualify for the higher salary level. Please see the application instructions for more details.

1. When the Footprints Korea office receives your documents they will verify that they are complete- this takes some time.
   1. If accurate and complete, they’ll send them on to the EPIK office.
   2. If things are out of order, incomplete or not clear, it will create delays.
      1. You may be asked to courier new items if anything is not correct.
2. EPIK receives documents, confirms that documents are complete, then:
   1. EPIK sends your documents to your chosen city or province for final approval.
   2. We will likely not get an update from them for a while. It could be a week or a month or two (depending on how busy they are and how many documents received). Your patience is needed.
   3. Footprints WILL update you throughout this process when we have any new information.
3. EPIK will be sending us your Notice of Appointment along with two official contracts (signed & stamped by EPIK). We will send it to you along with tracking information.
4. Notice of Appointment Looks like this:

When you receive these documents, you will need to go to the Korean consulate nearest you to apply for your visa.

Please DO NOT book a plane ticket until you at least know when you will receive your visa.

You can find your South Korean consulate/embassy here: http://www.footprintsrecruiting.com/visa-information-to-teach-in-korea

1. One (1) Official Contract signed (sent to you from EPIK)- consulate will keep this
2. Notice of Appointment: You will NOT get a visa issuance/confirmation number. The Notice of Appointment is sent instead. Consulate will keep this Notice of Appointment.
3. Korean Visa Application form: [see next page] Fields on the form you might have questions about:
4. >>> DOWNLOAD application: http://www.footprintsrecruiting.com/pdf/korea-e2-visa-application-form.pdf
   
   1. 1~2. Print all names as they appear on the passport. Do not use initials.
   2. 6. City and province/state of birth (where were you born?)
   3. 8. Passport Classification: OR - ordinary (unless you are a diplomat!)
   4. 10/11. Place of Issue – for Canadians / Issuing Authority - for Americans
   5. 16~18. Current occupation in the country where you are living and last employer
   6. 19.      Purpose of Entry: To teach English
   7. 21 Desired Length of Stay: 1 year
   8. 23. Address in Korea: EPIK/NIIED, 43 Ihwajang-Gil, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, Tel: +82-2-3668-1383
   9. 27. Who Will Pay For Your Trip?: self
   10. 31. Reference in Korea: EPIK / 43 Ihwajang-Gil, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, Tel: +82-2-3668-1383 / Employer
5. Original Passport: Make sure you have your passport ready, that there is at least 6 months validity left on it and that there is at least 1 empty page. (Yes, you need to send your actual passport)
6. 5. Original Degree (if needed- call your consulate)
7. 6. Recent Passport Photo
8. 7. Consul’s Checklist: [See next pages] - use same information for employer as above.
9. 8. Copy of Authenticated Criminal Background Check (if needed- call your consulate)
10. 9. One (1) set of Sealed Transcripts (if needed- call your Consulate)
11. 10. Fee: The cost will be: $45 USD / $55 CAD / £25 UK– This HAS TO BE cash or a money order.

CONSUL INTERVIEW: You should not need an interview at the consulate since you’ve been interviewed by EPIK, however the consulate does reserve the right to request an interview with any visa applicant.

MULTI-ENTRY PERMIT: You will likely be issued just a single entry permit. You can get a multiple entry permit (to travel on vacation outside of Korea) anytime from your local immigration office in Korea.

Once you receive your passport back with your E-2 visa, you are all set to book your plane ticket and begin your journey to South Korea.