E2 VISA INSTRUCTIONS FOR Americans
Americans! We’ve put together this handy guide to help you navigate the E2 visa process for teaching in South Korea. Whether you’re just starting to explore teaching abroad or already preparing your documents, this page will walk you through everything you need to know.
Here you’ll find the E2 visa requirements for South Korea and a clear outline of each step to get your teaching visa approved. Our team will also guide you through the process personally once you begin your placement.
And if you haven’t applied for a teaching job in South Korea yet, now’s the perfect time! Fill out our quick online application, it only takes a minute and it’s completely free! Our team will connect you directly with hiring directors at top schools.
Let’s get started! Teach English Abroad. Teach in South Korea. How to get an E2 visa. E2 Visa Requirements for Americans. E2 Visa instructions USA.
Table of Contents
Step 1: E2 Visa Instructions - 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 |
| FBI Criminal Record Check | Must include fingerprints. Also called Identity History Summary |
| 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
- Must be from an accredited university
- Your degree must be a notarized photocopy with Apostille:
- Take your degree to a local notary public. The lawyer will make a photocopy of it and notarize it
- After your degree copy is notarized, take this to the Secretary of State (in the same state as the notary public) for Apostille Authentication
1.2 FBI Criminal Background check
- Your FBI check cannot be more than six months old when you are proceeding to step 2 (applying for your E2 Visa)
- Only FBI Checks are accepted:
*Please note that this can take up to 2 months to process. - Have the results sent to you
- After receiving the FBI check, get it apostilled through the Department of State in Washington, DC. It can take up to 6-8 weeks to get your apositille if sent through the mail, so be sure to either go in person or have a friend/relative get the apostille for you. There are also private companies which can get the apostille for you in only a matter of days (Ex: Monument Visa)
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
- 3.5 x 4.5cm, colour photo
- 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)
Required Documents for E2 Visa Application:
Checklist of Required Documents:
- Notarized copy of your degree with Apostille
- FBI 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
When sending your documents so that you can teach English in South Korea, always use FedEx or UPS to ship them directly to your school. Do not use USPS or Purolator. These carriers don’t provide reliable tracking once the package enters South Korea, which can cause serious delays or lost documents.
After shipping your package:
- Keep your shipping invoice and tracking number, this is crucial for monitoring your delivery
- Send a copy of the tracking number to Footprints Recruiting so we can help your school track the documents if needed
- 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).
Once issued, your school will email this number to you (or to Footprints Recruiting). You’ll need this code when completing your E2 teaching visa application in the next step!
Step 3: Submit E2 Visa 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 Placement Coordinator and they will contact the school to see where things currently stand. Korean Immigration usually takes 7 to 10 business days to process applications in Korea.E2 Visa Requirements. E2 Visa instructions. E2 Visa Americans. E2 visa for USA citizens.
Once you have your Visa Confirmation Number, (also known as Visa Issuance Number), it is time to take or mail the Visa Application form and the required documents to the Korean Consulate with jurisdiction of your area. How to get an E2 visa. E2 Visa Guide.
Check with your jurisdiction’s Korean Consulate for their application requirements. Some Korean Consulates may not accept mailed applications and may require an in-person appointment.
Required Documents to Apply for an E2 Visa at the Korean Consulate: How to get an E2 visa. E2 Visa Guide. 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. 3.5 x 4.5cm, colour photo
- Confirmation of Visa Issuance Number: Fill in the reservation number at the top of application form.
- Consul’s Checklist: A simple two page document required by some consulates. Please check your local consulate’s website for a list of documents
- Fee: The cost will be: $45 USD
* This must be cash or a money order.
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.
Once you have received your passport back with your E-2 visa, you are all set to begin your journey to Korea! Your Footprints Recruiter will have been working with you on arrangements for your flight arrival and your airport pickup. Please keep in touch with your Footprints Recruiter so they can make sure all the i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed.
Congratulations on your exciting upcoming adventure to teach english in South Korea!
Korean Consulate Jurisdictions
Responsible for Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virgin Islands
Responsible for New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont
Responsible for Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Responsible for American Samoa and Hawaii.
Responsible for Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Texas.
Responsible for Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and South California.
Responsible for Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Responsible for Colorado, Northern California, Utah, and Wyoming.
Responsible for Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.
Responsible for Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Responsible for Guam and Northern Mariana Islands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is an E2 visa?
A: The E2 visa is a work visa that allows citizens from approved English speaking countries, including the United States, to teach English legally in South Korea. It’s valid for one year and can be renewed as long as you remain employed with a registered school
Q: Do I need a degree to get an E2 visa?
A: Yes. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university is required for an E2 visa. Your degree must also be apostilled before submission to confirm its authenticity
Q: Can I choose where in Korea I want to teach?
A: Absolutely! While final placement depends on school availability and timing, your Footprints Recruiter will work with your preferences for city size, lifestyle and school type to find the best fit for you
Q: Do I need teaching experience to qualify?
A: No prior teaching experience is required for most private language schools. Footprints provides guidance and resources to help you prepare for your first classroom experience in Korea.
Q: Will my school provide housing?
A: Yes! Most schools in South Korea provide free housing for teachers or a housing allowance. Your Footprints Recruiter will confirm these details with you before you sign your contract.
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