Requirements to Teach English in South Korea
South Korea’s E2 visa requirements are set by government law — stricter and less flexible than most other TEFL markets. Here’s exactly what you need, and what cannot be waived.
South Korea’s requirements: what’s different here
South Korea has one of the most structured and strictly enforced foreign teacher visa systems in the world. The E2 visa requirements are set by the Korean Ministry of Justice, not by individual schools — meaning they apply uniformly across every employer and cannot be circumvented by a willing school. No degree, no visa. Wrong nationality, no visa.
The upside of this rigidity: once you meet the requirements, your pathway into Korea is clear and well-trodden. Thousands of teachers navigate this process every year, and TEFL Heaven guides every program participant through every document requirement from start to finish.
Start early: The single most common mistake new Korea-bound teachers make is underestimating how long documents take. The apostilled national background check alone takes 8–12 weeks to process. Plan for a 3–4 month lead time from “yes, I want to go” to “E2 visa in hand.”
Eligible nationalities for the E2 visa
The E2 Foreign Language Instructor visa is restricted by Korean law to citizens of seven specific countries. This list has been stable for many years and is unlikely to change in the short term.
All other nationalities are not eligible for the standard E2 visa
Naturalised citizens: If you have been naturalised as a citizen of one of these seven countries, you do qualify for the E2 visa — your naturalised passport is what matters. You must have been educated primarily in English. Dual citizens may apply under either eligible passport.
Degree requirements
A full 3–4 year bachelor’s degree from an accredited university is a hard legal requirement for the E2 visa. This cannot be waived by any school or recruiter.
✓ Accepted
- BA, BS, BCom, BEng, BEd — any 3–4 year bachelor’s degree
- Degree in any subject field (not required to be English or Education)
- Degrees from any accredited university in the eligible countries
- Graduate degrees (Masters, PhD) — these exceed the requirement
✗ Not accepted
- 2-year associate degrees
- Diplomas or certificates (even if equivalent in your country)
- Degrees in progress (must be fully conferred)
- Degrees from unaccredited institutions
Apostille requirement: Your degree must be apostilled for the E2 visa. This means obtaining an authentication stamp from the relevant authority in your country (US Department of State, UK FCDO, etc.) certifying the document for international use. Order your apostilled degree early — processing times vary by country from a few days to several weeks.
TEFL/TESOL certificate requirements
A TEFL certificate is not a legal E2 visa requirement. However, it is an effective market requirement for any reputable hagwon and directly impacts your starting salary.
The market standard in South Korea is 120 hours minimum. Most serious hagwons require it. Positions paying top-of-range salaries (₩2.5M+ for first-year teachers) almost universally require it. TEFL Heaven’s South Korea program includes accredited TEFL certification as part of the package.
120hr TEFL (online)
Accepted by most hagwons. Minimum market standard. TEFL Heaven’s included certification exceeds this.
120hr+ with practicum
Preferred for competitive hagwons. Practical teaching component demonstrates classroom ability.
CELTA / CertTESOL
Highest credibility. Required for international schools. Salary premium of ₩100–200K/mo at top hagwons.
Background check requirements
A national-level criminal background check is required for the E2 visa. This is not a local or state check — it must be the national record (FBI check for Americans, ACRO or DBS for UK, RCMP for Canadians, etc.).
Zero tolerance policy: Korea has a strict zero-tolerance stance on criminal convictions for English teacher visas. Any misdemeanour or felony conviction is disqualifying. DUI convictions disqualify. Drug-related charges are particularly scrutinised. Traffic violations (speeding tickets, parking fines) generally do not affect eligibility.
Allow 8–12 weeks for this document.
The background check must be apostilled — authenticated for international use. For Americans: FBI Identity History Summary + US Department of State apostille. For UK citizens: DBS Enhanced check + FCDO apostille. Processing these two steps sequentially takes 8–12 weeks total. The check is only valid for 6 months from the date of issue — time your application accordingly.
Health check requirements
A mandatory medical examination is required within 30 days of arriving in South Korea. This is conducted at a designated Korean medical centre (your school will tell you which one). The exam tests for:
- General physical health
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- HIV / AIDS
- Narcotics and drug use
- Syphilis
Failing this medical examination can result in visa revocation. A self-declaration health form is also typically required as part of the pre-departure visa application process. Cost of the in-Korea medical exam: approximately ₩100,000 (~$75 USD).
TEFL Heaven places teachers in South Korea
Accredited TEFL certification, guaranteed hagwon placement, full E2 visa support, and in-country backing throughout your contract.
Complete document checklist for the E2 visa
Documents are sent to your Korean school first — they submit them to Korean Immigration to obtain a Visa Issuance Number. You then take that number plus some documents to your nearest Korean consulate for the visa sticker.
Documents to send your school
- Apostilled bachelor’s degree (original or certified copy)
- Apostilled national criminal background check (valid within 6 months)
- Sealed official university transcripts (2 sets)
- Colour copy of passport photo page
- 2 passport-sized photos
- Signed employment contract
- Health declaration form
- TEFL certificate copy
Documents for the Korean consulate
- E2 visa application form (from consulate website)
- Valid passport (6+ months validity, 1+ blank page)
- Visa Issuance Number from your school
- Sealed university transcripts (1 set)
- Passport photos (2)
- Consulate checklist (download from your specific consulate)
- Visa fee (~$45 USD — confirm with your consulate)
On arrival in Korea (within 30 days)
- Medical examination at designated hospital
- ARC (Alien Registration Card) application at immigration office — apply within 90 days
- Korean bank account (requires ARC + passport)
- SIM card registration (requires ARC)
- e-Arrival card submission within 72 hours of entry (online, from Feb 2025)
Timeline to plan for
- 10–12 weeks before: Order apostilled background check
- 8–10 weeks before: Order apostilled degree and transcripts
- 4–6 weeks before: Send documents to school; await Visa Issuance Number
- 3–4 weeks before: Visit Korean consulate with number and documents
- On arrival: Medical exam and ARC application
Requirements FAQ
Does my degree subject matter?
No — the E2 visa and most hagwons accept a bachelor’s degree in any subject. You do not need an English, Linguistics, or Education degree to teach in South Korea. The degree’s level (3–4 year, accredited) matters; its subject does not.
What if I have a minor criminal conviction?
South Korea’s zero-tolerance policy is strictly applied. Any misdemeanour or felony will likely disqualify you for the E2 visa. Traffic violations (parking, speeding) generally do not affect eligibility. If you have any concerns about your record, research your specific situation carefully before investing time in the application process. TEFL Heaven can discuss your eligibility confidentially.
Do I need teaching experience?
No — teaching experience is not required for hagwon positions or for the E2 visa. Most first-time teachers arrive in Korea with no professional classroom experience. The 120-hour TEFL certificate (included in TEFL Heaven’s program) provides the baseline classroom preparation. Many hagwons also provide lesson plans and materials specifically to support new teachers.
Can I apply for the E2 visa before having a job offer?
You can begin gathering your documents at any time — and should, given the 8–12 week lead time. However, the visa issuance number (which enables your consulate appointment) is issued by your employer once you have a signed contract. The formal visa application cannot be completed until you have a confirmed placement. This is why TEFL Heaven’s program — which coordinates placement and visa documents simultaneously — significantly streamlines the process.
Teach English in South Korea with TEFL Heaven
Accredited TEFL certification, guaranteed hagwon placement, full E2 visa support, free housing coordination, and in-country backing. The structured way into South Korea’s market.
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