E2 VISA INSTRUCTIONS FOR Australia
You’ve made the exciting decision to teach English in South Korea, what an amazing choice! Whether you’re dreaming of bustling cities, beautiful countryside or a brand new cultural adventure, our team is here to help make it happen.
We’ve put together this simple E2 visa guide to walk you through every step of the process so you can focus on preparing for your journey instead of stressing about paperwork.
If you’re still exploring your options and haven’t applied for a teaching job yet, we encourage you to fill out our one-minute online application. It’s free and connects you directly with hiring directors at great schools across South Korea. From there, your Footprints Recruiter will guide you from first interview to arrival.
Let’s get started on your path to teaching abroad in South Korea! Teach English Abroad. Teach in South Korea. How to get an E2 visa. E2 Visa Guide. E2 Visa Requirements. E2 Visa instructions. E2 Visa for Australians.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Documents
The first step in this exciting process is to collect and authenticate your documents. Below we have broken down the specific steps for each document. You will need all of them completed before moving on to step 2.
| Document | Notes / Requirements |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree (or higher) | 4-year degree from an accredited university |
| National Police Check | Obtain from Australian Federal Police |
| Health Declaration / Questionnaire | Completed by you (details below) |
| Passport photocopy | Info page, valid at least 6 months |
| Resume / CV | Up to date |
| Signed teaching contract | Provided by your hiring school |
| Passport-style photos | Usually 3–5, depending on consulate requirements |
1.1 University Degree
- Must be a four-year Bachelor’s degree (at minimum) in any discipline from an accredited university
- A photocopy of your degree must be verified by the central student administrator office of your issuing institution prior to being notarized
- After verification, take your photocopied degree to a local notary public. The lawyer will notarize it
- Once you have a notarized photocopy of your degree, it must be apostilled by the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT)
1.2 Criminal record check
- Your record check cannot be more than six months old when you are proceeding to step 2
- Criminal record checks can be ordered through the Australian Federal Police
- Have the results sent to you or pick them up yourself
- If they ask, tell them it is for Footprints Recruiting and provide our address (listed on our home page).
- Once you have your criminal record check, it must be apostilled by DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade)
1.3 Health Statement
- This is a simple questionnaire form from the Korean government where you personally answer the questions. Once you arrive in Korea, a full blood test and physical exam will be administered
- The test will include testing for narcotics, TB, HIV, and other communicable diseases. Marijuana is illegal in South Korea and may be tested for on your health exam. DO NOT BRING ANY DRUGS TO KOREA OR USE ANY THERE
- If you do not pass the health exam in Korea, your ability to receive an ARC card will be jeopardized. Without an ARC card, you are unable to work in South Korea, nulling your Visa
1.4 Passport Photocopy
- This is a photocopy the information page of your passport
- Make sure you have at least 6 months on your passport before it expires
1.5 Resume
- Print a copy of your resume
1.6 Signed Copy of School Contract
- The contract will be provided to you by e-mail once you agree to the contract and the school accepts you as a teacher
1.7 Five Passport Sized Photos
- These are standard passport photos – the same that you would need for a new passport. The photos must not be older than 6 months
- Have one additional passport photo on hand for the final stage of the overall E2 visa application process, in Step 3
Step 2: Send Documents to Korea (Visa Reservation Number)
Checklist of Required Documents:
Before you can teach English in South Korea, you’ll need to prepare a few key documents for your E2 visa application. This checklist will help you stay organized and one step closer to starting your new teach abroad adventure.
Required Documents:
- Notarized copy of your bachelor degree with apostille
- Notarized National Criminal Record Check with apostille
- Health check statement
- Coloured photocopy of the information page of your passport
- Copy of your resume
- Signed copy of your school contract
- Two passport-sized photos
We recommend sending your documents through FedEx or another reliable international courier with tracking. These documents are essential for your teaching abroad visa process, so tracking ensures they arrive safely in South Korea. Once you’ve sent your package, keep your invoice with the tracking number and destination address. Then send a copy of the tracking details to your Footprints Recruiter, who will confirm receipt with your school.
After your documents arrive in South Korea, your school will submit them to the Korean Immigration to obtain your Confirmation of Visa Issuance Number, also called a Visa Reservation Number.
This process typically takes about 7 – 12 business days. Once approved, your Visa Issuance Number will look something like this: UJBO 08007392 (the first four characters are letters, the rest are numbers). The school will email this number to you or to your Teach Abroad Recruiter, and you’ll use it in the next step when applying for your E2 visa to teach English in Korea.
Step 3: Submit Application with the Korean Consulate
We move to this step assuming you’ve already received your Visa Confirmation Number. If you haven’t, reach out to your Footprints Recruiter, who will contact your school in South Korea to check on the status. Korean Immigration typically takes 7 to 12 business days to process E2 visa applications for teachers heading abroad.
Once your Visa Issuance Number has been approved, it’s time to send or take your E2 visa application and supporting documents to the Korean Consulate or Embassy nearest to you. This is one of the final steps before you officially begin your journey to teach English abroad in South Korea.
Required Documents to Apply for an E2 Visa at the Korean Consulate:
Completed E2 Visa Application Form
Passport: Must have at least 6 months of validity remaining and must be signed
Photo: Include a standard passport photo (2 inches by 2 inches)
Confirmation of Visa Issuance Number: Enter your reservation number in the correct section of the form
Fee: Contact your local consulate to confirm the current fee and accepted payment methods
Always call your consulate or embassy before submitting your application so you understand their specific process and required forms.
Each Korean Consulate has different processing times, which can range from one hour to five business days. Ask when your visa will be ready, and if you mailed your application, follow up to confirm your documents were received. Tracking your progress ensures your E2 visa to teach in Korea is issued smoothly.
Once you’ve received your passport back with your E2 visa, you’re officially ready to begin your new adventure teaching English in South Korea. Your Footprints Recruiter will help you finalize your travel and arrival details so you can start your teach abroad journey with confidence.
Teaching abroad in Korea is more than just a job, it’s the chance to experience one of the most exciting international teaching opportunities in the world. Congratulations! Teach English Abroad. Teach in South Korea. How to get an E2 visa. E2 Visa Guide. E2 Visa Requirements. E2 Visa instructions.
Korean Consulate Locations & Jurisdictions
New South Wales (Sydney, Newcastle, etc).
Queensland (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, etc).
Northern Territory (Darwin, Alice Springs, etc).
Address: Level 10, 44 Market Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
Phone: +61(0)2-9210-0234
Victoria only.
Address: Level 10, 636 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004
Phone: +61-3-9533-3800
Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Tasmania
Address: 113 Empire Circuit, Yarralumla, ACT 2600
Phone: +61(2)-6270-4100
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I apply for my E2 visa online?
A: No, E2 visa applications must be submitted either in person or by mail to the Korean Consulate or Embassy that has jurisdiction over your area. Always confirm their procedures before applying to teach English in South Korea or start your teach abroad journey.
Q: Can I teach English in South Korea without an E2 visa?
A: No. A valid E2 visa is required to legally teach English in Korea. This visa allows foreign teachers to work at approved schools, language institutes and teach abroad programs.
Q: Do I need prior teaching experience to get an E2 visa?
A: No prior experience is required. As long as you have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, you can apply for teaching positions in Korea. Many teachers begin their international teaching careers through the E2 visa program.
Q: How long does the E2 visa process take for teachers in South Korea?
A: Korean Immigration typically takes 7–12 business days to issue a Visa Confirmation Number after your school submits your documents. After that, the Korean Consulate generally processes your E2 visa within a few additional days. Planning ahead helps ensure a smooth start to your teach abroad experience.
Q: What happens after my E2 visa is approved?
A: Once your E2 visa is approved, you’re ready to teach in South Korea! Your Footprints Recruiter will guide you through travel arrangements, school arrival, and orientation, helping you start teaching English abroad with confidence.
Useful Resources for Teaching Abroad
We want you to succeed. We want you to have the experience of a lifetime, teaching in places around the world! To help you along your journey, we have curated some helpful resources below:
- Teach Abroad Blog
- How to Write a Teacher Resume
- TEFL Certificate Options
- South Korean E2 Visa Requirements
- Cost of Living Calculator