NEW ZEALAND – E2 VISA INSTRUCTIONS

E2 VISA INSTRUCTIONS FOR NEW ZEALAND

You’ve decided to teach in Korea, congratulations! We’re here to help you every step of the way as you start this exciting new chapter. Below, you’ll find a clear guide on how to get your E2 visa and prepare for your move to South Korea.

If you haven’t applied for a teaching job yet and are just exploring what it’s like to teach in South Korea, we encourage you to fill out our one-minute online application. It’s free, and our team will connect you with trusted schools and walk you through the process from start to finish, making it easy to begin your teaching adventure abroad.

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

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.

DocumentNotes / Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree (or higher)4-year degree from an accredited university
Criminal Record CheckOrdered through the Criminal Records Unit at the Ministry of Justice
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 DIA (Department of Internal Affairs)

1.2 Criminal record check

  • Your record check cannot be more than six months old when you are proceeding to step 2 
  • Your criminal record check can be ordered through the Criminal Records Unit at the Ministry of Justice
  • 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 DIA (Department of Internal Affairs) 

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 photocopy 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 to Korea using FedEx or another international courier that provides tracking. It’s essential to track these important papers as they make their way to your school in South Korea. Once your package is sent, keep a copy of your invoice that includes the tracking number and destination address. Share the tracking number with Footprints Recruiting so your school can follow the delivery and step in quickly if there are any issues.

After your documents arrive in Korea, your school will submit them to the Ministry of Justice and Immigration to obtain your Confirmation of Visa Issuance Number. This process typically takes about 7 to 12 business days. The Immigration Office will then issue a Confirmation of Visa Issuance Number (also known as a Visa Reservation Number or Visa Confirmation Number).

Your number will look something like this: UJBO 08007392 (the first four characters are letters, followed by numbers). Your school will email this number to you or your Footprints Recruiter. You’ll need this code to complete your E2 Visa application, the final step before you can officially teach English in Korea.

Teaching English in Korea is an incredible opportunity to explore a new culture, gain international classroom experience and start an exciting new chapter abroad. Once your visa is issued, you’ll be ready to begin your journey to teach abroad with confidence and support from your Footprints team!

Step 3: Submit Application with the Korean Consulate

We move to this step assuming that you have received your Visa Confirmation Number. If you don’t have it, please check with your Footprints Recruiter and they will contact the school to see where things currently stand. Korean immigration usually takes 7 to 12 business days to process applications in Korea.

Once you have your Visa Issuance Number it is time to send or take your application and supporting documents to the Korean Consulate or Embassy nearest to you.

Take or mail the Visa Application form and the required documents to the Korean Consulate with jurisdiction of your area.

Required Documents to Apply for an E2 Visa at the Korean Consulate: How to get an E2 visa. E2 Visa Requirements. E2 Visa instructions.

  • completed E2 Visa Application Form
  • Passport: Make sure you have your passport ready, that there is 6 months validity left on it. Make sure it’s signed too
  • Photo: You will need to send a passport picture with your application or a picture that is 2 inches by 2 inches
  • Confirmation of Visa Issuance Number: Fill in the reservation number in the appropriate section of the application form
  • Fee: Please always contact the consulate at the time of applying to confirm the fee and accepted payment methods

Always call your consulate to ensure you are familiar with their procedures.

Each consulate has different processing times (from one hour to 5 days), so ask them when it will be ready and let us know as soon as you know so plans can be made. If you didn’t go in person, call the consulate to make sure they received your documents and to find out when your visa will be ready. Teach English Abroad. Teach in South Korea. How to get an E2 visa. E2 Visa Guide. E2 Visa Requirements. E2 Visa instructions.Teach in Korea.

Once you have received your passport back with your E2 visa, you are all set to begin your journey to Korea! Congratulations! 

Korean Consulate Locations

Korean Consulate Auckland
Serving Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Northland, and Gisborne.

Address: Level 12, Tower 1, 205 Queen Street, Auckland Central, New Zealand
Phone:(09)379-0818

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can New Zealand citizens teach English in Korea?
A: Yes! New Zealand citizens are fully eligible for the E2 Visa, which allows you to live and teach English in Korea legally. With a Bachelor’s degree and a clean criminal background check, you can begin your journey to teach abroad with confidence
 
Q: Do I need to speak Korean to teach English in Korea?
A: Not at all! Most schools prefer full English immersion in the classroom, so you’ll teach in English. However, learning a few basic Korean phrases can make daily life smoother and help you connect more deeply with your students and community
 
Q: What support does Footprints Recruiting provide?
A: From your first application to your arrival in South Korea, your Footprints Recruiter will guide you through every step: preparing your visa documents, connecting you with trusted schools and ensuring you feel ready to start teaching English abroad with confidence
 
Q: Is South Korea safe for foreign teachers?
A: Yes! South Korea is one of the safest and most welcoming countries in Asia for international teachers. The crime rate is low, public transportation is efficient and locals are friendly toward foreigners. It’s a great place to teach abroad and experience a vibrant, modern culture!

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.