IRELAND – E2 VISA INSTRUCTIONS

You’ve decided to teach in South Korea, congratulations! Choosing to teach English abroad is an incredible opportunity and we’re here to support you every step of the way. We’ve created a step-by-step guide on how to get your E2 visa so you can begin your teaching abroad journey with confidence!

If you haven’t applied for a position yet and are still exploring teach abroad programs, please take a minute to fill out our quick and free our one-minute online application. Our experienced teach abroad recruiters will connect you with top schools in South Korea and guide you through the process from start to finish. It’s the easiest way to land one of the best international teaching jobs without the stress of navigating it all alone.

Let’s get started! Teach English Abroad. Teach in South Korea. How to get an E2 visa. E2 Visa Requirements. E2 Visa Ireland.

Table of Contents

E2 VISA INSTRUCTIONS FOR Ireland

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.

DocumentNotes / Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree (or higher)4-year degree from an accredited university
Criminal Record CheckMust be ordered through Ireland’s National Police & Security Service
Health Declaration / QuestionnaireCompleted by you (details below)
Passport photocopyInfo page, valid at least 6 months
Resume / CVUp to date
Signed teaching contractProvided by your hiring school
Passport-style photosUsually 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
  • Take your degree to a local notary public. The lawyer will make a photocopy of it and 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 Ireland’s National Police & Security Service
  • 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)
  • If it is not signed by the issuing officer, you will need to have it verified by a notary public. If it is signed by the issuing officer, you can take it to be apostilled
  • 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 coloured 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:

  1. Notarized copy of your degree with apostille
  2. Notarized National Criminal Record Check with apostille
  3. Health check statement 
  4. Coloured photocopy of the information page of your passport
  5. Copy of your resume
  6. Signed copy of your school contract
  7. Two passport-sized photos

Please send your documents by FedEx or another international shipping company that provides tracking. It is important to be able to track these very important documents through South Korea.

After shipping your package:

  1. Keep your shipping invoice and tracking number, this is crucial for monitoring your delivery
  2. Send a copy of the tracking number to Footprints Recruiting so we can help your school track the documents if needed
  3. Save the destination address for your records

Your school may need to reference your tracking number if there are any delivery issues, so make sure it’s easy to access.

Getting Your E2 Visa Confirmation Number

Once your documents arrive in South Korea, your school will take them to the Korean Immigration Office. Immigration will then process your application and issue a Confirmation of Visa Issuance Number, sometimes called a Visa Confirmation Number or Visa Reservation Number.

This process usually takes 7–12 business days.

Your Visa Issuance Number will look something like this: UJBO 08007392 (the first four characters are letters, followed by numbers).

Step 3: Submit Application with the Korean Consulate or Embassy

We move to this step assuming you’ve already received your Visa Confirmation Number/Visa Issuance Number. If you haven’t, please reach out to your Footprints Recruiter, who will contact the school to confirm the status. Korean Immigration typically takes 7–12 business days to process E2 visa applications in Korea.

Once you have your Visa Issuance Number, it’s time to mail or take your application and supporting documents to the Korean Consulate or Embassy nearest to you.

Required Documents to Apply for an E2 Visa to Teach English in South Korea: How to get an E2 visa. E2 Visa Requirements.

  • Application Form: Completed E2 Visa application form

  • Passport: Must have at least 6 months of validity and must be signed

  • Photo: Standard 2×2-inch passport photo

  • Visa Issuance Number: Enter your confirmation number in the appropriate section of the form

  • Fee: Contact your local consulate to confirm the current fee and payment method

Always call your consulate to ensure you are familiar with their procedures, as they may change.

Each Korean Consulate has its own processing time (ranging from one hour to five days), so be sure to ask when it will be ready. If your consulate allows you to apply by mail, please follow up to confirm your documents were received and to check on your visa’s status.

Once you’ve received your passport back with your E2 visa, you’re officially ready to teach in South Korea! Your Footprints Recruiter will help finalize your travel details so you can begin your teach abroad adventure with confidence. Congratulations! Teach English Abroad. Teach in South Korea. How to get an E2 visa. E2 Visa Guide. E2 Visa Requirements. E2 Visa instructions Ireland.

Korean Embassy Locations & Jurisdictions

Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Dublin
Ireland Nationals

Address: 15 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Ireland
Phone: 353-1-660-880

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can Irish citizens apply for an E2 visa to teach English in South Korea?
A: Yes! Irish citizens are eligible for the E2 visa, which allows you to teach English in South Korea legally. It’s one of the most popular ways to begin your journey teaching abroad!

Q: Do I need a degree to teach English in South Korea?
A: Yes. To qualify for the E2 visa, you must hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Ireland or another recognized country.

Q: Will my Footprints Recruiter help me with the visa process?
A: Absolutely! Your Footprints Recruiter will guide you step by step: from securing your visa issuance number to preparing your documents and planning your arrival in Korea. Teaching abroad is a big move, and we’re here to make it seamless.

Q: What are the benefits of teaching English in Korea?
A: Teachers in South Korea enjoy competitive salaries, free or stipend housing, reimbursed flights  and cultural experiences unlike anywhere else. It’s one of the best countries for teaching abroad programs.

Q: Can I teach in Korea without a TEFL certificate?
A: A TEFL certificate isn’t required for the E2 visa, but it can make you a stronger candidate for international teaching jobs and help you feel more confident in the classroom.

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:

Disclaimer: While we work diligently to keep up to date on the E2 Visa requirements, we are not government officials. Use this information as a guide only and always call your local consulate to ensure that the process has not changed.