← Back to Visa Guide
E-2

E-2 Language Instructor Visa

Duration

⏱ 1 year (renewable)

The E-2 visa is issued to native speakers of English, German, French, Spanish, Japanese, or Chinese who are employed as language instructors at registered language institutes, kindergartens, elementary, middle, or high schools in Korea.

Teaching English in Yongin, South Korea: Q&A with Melanie Torreon

Who Qualifies?

  • Citizens of USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, or South Africa for English instruction

  • Citizens of Germany, France, Spain, Japan, or China for their respective language instruction

  • Must hold a Bachelor's degree or higher in any field

  • Must have a signed employment contract with a registered Korean educational institution

  • No prior Korean language ability required

Documents Required

  • Valid passport

  • Visa application form β€” available at Korean embassy/consulate

  • Employment contract β€” signed by both you and your Korean employer

  • Bachelor's degree certificate β€” must be apostilled or notarized

  • Official university transcripts β€” apostilled or notarized

  • Criminal background check β€” from your home country, apostilled. Must be issued within 6 months.

  • Health certificate β€” from a Korean government-designated hospital after arrival

  • Passport-sized photos β€” 2 photos, white background

  • Sealed letter of reference β€” required by some embassies

Korean Immigration Forms | Downloads & Examples Β» Gone2Korea

Application Process

  • Step 1: Secure a job offer from a registered Korean language institute or school

  • Step 2: Your employer applies for a Certificate of Confirmation of Visa Issuance (μ‚¬μ¦λ°œκΈ‰μΈμ •μ„œ) at the Korean Immigration Service on your behalf

  • Step 3: Once approved, apply for your E-2 visa at the Korean embassy or consulate in your home country

  • Step 4: Arrive in Korea and complete a health check at a designated hospital within 3 days

  • Step 5: Apply for your Alien Registration Card (ARC) within 90 days of arrival

Salary & Working Conditions

  • Minimum salary: around 2,000,000–2,500,000 KRW/month at most public schools and institutes

  • EPIK (English Program in Korea) public school teachers earn 1,800,000–2,650,000 KRW/month depending on qualifications

  • Most contracts include free housing or housing allowance

  • Round-trip airfare often included in public school programs

  • Severance pay (ν‡΄μ§κΈˆ) of one month's salary per year worked

  • National Health Insurance and National Pension contributions required

Renewal

  • E-2 visa can be renewed annually as long as you remain employed

  • Apply for renewal at your local immigration office at least 2 months before expiry

  • Required documents: passport, ARC, employment contract renewal, health certificate

  • After 5 years on E-2 with continuous employment, you may be eligible to apply for F-2 (Resident) visa

Private Language Schools in Korea | Hagwon Information Β» Gone2Korea

Important Notes

  • E-2 visa holders are NOT permitted to do private tutoring outside of their registered employer

  • If you change employers, you must apply for a new E-2 visa β€” notify immigration within 15 days of changing jobs

  • Criminal record or drug-related offenses will result in visa denial

  • Health check must be completed at a government-designated hospital β€” not just any clinic

Useful Resources