The E2 Visa Process

NINE STEPS TO GET YOU TO KOREA

Congratulations on your new job! Now it’s time for all the paperwork.

Getting your E2 visa is required to teach English legally in Korea. We at Say Kimchi Recruiting will walk you through every step of the process, providing you with detailed information and the documents you need to get you on your way.

Please follow these directions EXACTLY. One minor misstep can set back the process. And, at this point in your transition, your school probably already has a start date for you. So, it’s super important to get through this E2 visa process quickly and precisely.

Please print this list out and use a checklist so you don’t forget or skip any part of the process.

  1. Send your documents. You must send them to Korea by DHL or FedEx or UPS (though DHL is preferred). Here are the documents you must send.
    1. Your original university degree or notarized copy of original degree.
    2. TWO sets of sealed university transcripts.
    3. Notarized criminal background check and appropriate or applicable apostille authentication.
    4. Health check statement. Download it here.
    5. Photocopy of your passport’s information page.
    6. A copy of your resume
    7. A signed copy of the contract
    8. TWO passport photos

    Notes on sending your documents:
    * Do NOT send your documents through slow mail or through the post office. Delivery can take 5 days to longer than a month and there is no way for us or the school to track the documents.

    * This will cost anywhere from $40 to $80 depending on the shipping company. But the money is well worth it, especially since you are sending some very important documents. It would take a long time to replace these documents and the job would likely fall through as it would take too long to resend these items.

  2. Once you’ve sent the documents, keep a copy of the package invoice/receipt with the tracking number of your package and the address you sent it to. (This address will be given to you by the school before you send the documents.)
  3. E-mail Say Kimchi Recruiting with the package tracking number and the company you used.
  4. Once the school receives your package, they will take your documents to their local immigration office.
  5. Within 7 to 10 days, the immigration office will issue you a Confirmation of Visa Issuance Number. The number will have four letters in the beginning followed by a series of numbers.
  6. The school will then forward this number to you by e-mail or through us. Now it’s time for you to head to your local Korean consulate!
  7. Send the following documents to your local Korean consulate as soon as possible after you receive your E2 visa number. Please send:
    1. Your passport (remember it must have at least one blank page for your Korean visa and have a remaining validity of 6 months). It’s also a good idea to send an extra copy of the information page of your passport.
    2. A completed visa application with your E2 number. Download your visa application here.
    3. One recent passport-format color photo
    4. Fee (by money order only): ($55 CAD, $45 USD, NZ $50 USD, A$75, UK 28) Make the money order payable to: The Korean Consulate General)
    5. Sealed university transcript
    6. Photo of original university degree
    7. Criminal record check (copy of original)
    8. Filled out interview form
    9. A second health statement form (make sure your answers are the same as the one you sent to Korea )

    NOTE: If you live too far away from a consulate to pick up your stamped passport yourself (usually done during the interview), then you should also provide a prepaid postage return envelope (Express post or Priority courier) with your complete address.

  8. Once the consulate has received your documents, they will call you to set up a face-to-face interview. Even though you have already been hired, this interview is a requirement and should be taken seriously. Some consulates are willing to make arrangements if you live too far away from the consulate. You can discuss this when they call you to set up the interview. It’s also a good idea to let them know you want to pick up your stamped passport on the day of your interview so you don’t have to go twice.
  9. Once you have completed your interview, you are READY TO GO!!!