South Korea E2 Visa Guide 2026
The E2 is South Korea’s Foreign Language Instructor visa — your legal route into teaching. The document process is meticulous and takes time to prepare. This guide walks you through every step, from eligibility to ARC card.
What is the E2 visa?
The E2 (Foreign Language Instructor) visa is the legal work visa for native English speakers teaching conversational English in South Korea. It covers teaching at hagwons, public schools, and universities. It is employer-linked: your school sponsors the visa and it is tied to that specific employer for its duration.
The E2 process is employer-initiated on the Korean side. Once you have a signed contract, your school submits your documents to Korean Immigration to obtain a Visa Issuance Number. You then take that number to your nearest Korean consulate in your home country to collect the actual visa sticker in your passport.
Start your documents now. The apostilled national criminal background check is the most time-consuming document — allow 8–12 weeks for the full apostille process. The visa itself processes quickly once documents are submitted. The bottleneck is always document preparation, not visa processing.
E2 visa eligibility requirements
Citizenship
Must be a citizen of one of seven countries: USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa. Naturalised citizens of these countries qualify. Citizens of other countries are not eligible for the standard E2 visa.
Bachelor’s degree
A full 3–4 year bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, in any subject. Must be apostilled. 2-year degrees and degrees from unaccredited institutions are not accepted.
Clean criminal record
A national-level background check with a clean record. Zero tolerance for criminal convictions. The check must be apostilled and is valid for 6 months from issue date. Traffic violations (speeding, parking) generally do not affect eligibility.
Health
A self-declaration health form pre-departure, and a mandatory medical examination within 30 days of arrival in Korea. Tests include TB, HIV, and drug screening. Failing the in-Korea medical can result in visa revocation.
The E2 visa process from start to finish
Begin document preparation (10–12 weeks before departure)
The apostilled background check is your longest lead-time document — begin here. Simultaneously, order your apostilled degree and sealed university transcripts. For Americans: submit FBI Identity History Summary request online, then apostille through the US Department of State. Processing these two steps takes 8–12 weeks total. Do not wait until you have a job offer to start — prepare in parallel.
Accept a position and sign your contract
Once you have a signed contract, send your document package to your school. TEFL Heaven coordinates this directly for program participants. Documents sent should include: apostilled degree · apostilled background check · sealed transcripts · passport copy · passport photos · health declaration form · TEFL certificate copy. Always ship documents by a tracked courier (FedEx or UPS recommended — not standard mail).
School obtains your Visa Issuance Number (7–12 business days)
Your school submits your documents to the Korean Ministry of Justice and Immigration. After 7–12 business days, Immigration issues a Visa Issuance Number — a code that looks like UJBO08007392 (4 letters + numbers). Your school emails this to you. This number is required for your consulate appointment.
Visit the Korean consulate in person
Contact your nearest Korean consulate, book an appointment (call ahead — some require booking before you have your number; others want the number first), and attend in person with: E2 visa application form (downloaded from consulate website) · valid passport · Visa Issuance Number · sealed transcripts · passport photos · consulate checklist · visa fee (~$45 USD). Processing at the consulate is typically same-day to one week.
Travel to Korea and complete arrival registration
You must enter Korea before your visa expiry date. Submit your e-Arrival card online within 72 hours of entry (at e-arrivalcard.go.kr). Within 30 days: complete mandatory medical examination at designated hospital (~₩100,000). Within 90 days: apply for ARC (Alien Registration Card) at your local immigration office — essential for banking, SIM, and all subsequent administration. TEFL Heaven provides arrival support for all program participants.
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E2 visa document checklist
Documents to send your school
- Apostilled bachelor’s degree (original or certified photocopy)
- Apostilled national criminal background check (valid within 6 months)
- Sealed official university transcripts — 2 sets
- Colour photocopy of passport (information page)
- 2 passport-sized photos
- Signed employment contract
- Self-declaration health form
- TEFL certificate copy (if required by school)
Documents for the consulate
- E2 visa application form (from consulate website)
- Valid passport (6+ months validity, 1+ blank pages)
- Visa Issuance Number from your school
- Sealed transcripts — 1 set
- 2 passport photos
- Consulate checklist (download from your consulate site)
- Visa fee (~$45 USD — verify with consulate)
Consulate requirements vary. Each Korean consulate has slightly different requirements. Always download the checklist from your specific consulate’s website (not a generic one) and call ahead to confirm current requirements. TEFL Heaven provides consulate-specific document guidance for all participating countries.
After you arrive in Korea
e-Arrival card (within 72 hours of entry)
Submit online at e-arrivalcard.go.kr within 72 hours of arrival. Required from February 2025. Paper forms available at airports until December 2025 as a transition measure.
Medical examination (within 30 days)
Your school will direct you to the designated medical centre. Cost ~₩100,000. Tests: general health, TB, HIV, drug screening, syphilis. Results within a few days. If you fail any test, Korean immigration is notified and your visa status may be affected. Arrive clean and prepared.
ARC — Alien Registration Card (within 90 days)
Apply at your local immigration office with: passport, E2 visa, proof of address (your apartment contract), medical check results, and ARC application form. Processing takes 2–4 weeks. The ARC is your Korean ID and is required for: opening a bank account · SIM card registration · healthcare access · signing a phone plan. Without it, daily life in Korea is significantly more difficult. Apply as soon as possible after arrival.
Renewing your E2 visa
The E2 visa is valid for 13 months and must be renewed for each new or continuing contract. Renewal requires resubmitting most of the same documents — including a fresh background check (valid within 6 months) and updated transcripts where relevant.
You can renew through the HiKorea online system or in person at your local immigration office. Start the process 2–4 months before your visa expires to allow time for background check processing. Processing takes approximately 2–3 weeks.
Changing schools: If you want to change hagwons, your new school must initiate a visa transfer through Korean immigration. This requires your new employer’s cooperation and a revised contract. TEFL Heaven can assist participants who wish to change placements during or after their first contract.
E2 Visa FAQ
How long does the E2 visa process take?
Total process from “I have a contract” to “visa in hand” takes approximately 6–8 weeks if all documents are already prepared. But the background check takes 8–12 weeks on its own — which is why document preparation should begin 10–12 weeks before your intended departure, ideally before you even have a confirmed placement.
Can I teach in Korea while my visa is being processed?
No. You must have your E2 visa before beginning employment in Korea. Teaching on a tourist visa is illegal and carries significant penalties including deportation and a re-entry ban. Do not be persuaded by a school that it is acceptable to start work while documents are “being sorted out.”
What if my documents expire before I arrive in Korea?
The background check is only valid for 6 months from the date of issue. If your departure is significantly delayed after receiving your check, you may need to order a new one. Time your document preparation accordingly, and keep TEFL Heaven informed of any timing changes so the document schedule can be adjusted.
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