VISA: United Kingdom & Northern Ireland

Planning to teach English in Korea? U.K. citizens require the E-2-1 visa to work in language academies. This guide covers everything you need, from preparing your documents to your arrival in Korea.

 

 

What is an E-2-1 Visa?

 

The E-2-1 visa, also called the general “Foreign Language Instructor” visa, is the most common visa for native English speakers teaching conversational English in Korea. This visa lets you work at private language academies, language research institutes, and other equivalent educational organizations.

 

While international schools may hire on E-2 visas, positions are limited to teaching English. If you plan to teach other subjects, you will need an F-series resident visa.

 

 

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E-2-1 Eligibility Requirements:

 

• Be a citizen of a country where English is the primary language. (U.S.A., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland, and South Africa)
• Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in one of the 7 native English-speaking countries.
• Be a native speaker or have completed junior high school (7th grade) and lived for at least 10 years in a native English-speaking country

 

 

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Step 1. Visa Issuance Number (VIN) Application

 

To apply for an E-2-1 visa, you must first obtain a Visa Issuance Number (VIN). To get this number, you’ll need to prepare documents to send to your school. Your school will submit both your documents and its own to the Korean immigration office. Once the application is processed, you will receive your Confirmation of Visa Issuance Number (CVI No.) or simply a confirmation number, which you will use to apply for your visa at the Korean consulate in your country.

 

If you have a desired start date for teaching in Korea, begin preparing your visa documents 2 months in advance. Early preparation helps prevent last-minute issues for both you and your school.

We recommend arriving in March or September, as these are the busiest hiring periods when schools begin their spring and fall semesters. While teaching positions are available year-round, March and September offer the greatest number of job opportunities.

 

 

1.1. - Required Documents for VIN:

 

 

1.2. - VIN Documents Procedure

 

1. Email Apostilled Document Photos for Review (Before School Interview)

Before mailing any physical documents, please send clear photos or scans of all your apostilled and notarized documents by email to Embark Recruiting for review. This step ensures we can check for any errors and prevent delays in your visa process. Also, let us know if you are taking any medication or have any physical or mental health conditions.

 

2. Mail Your Original Documents to Korea (After School Interview + Contract)

Once you have signed a work contract with the school, please send us all the documents via DHL Express.

Please email your recruiter the DHL tracking number so we can monitor the delivery status.

 

 

3. School Submits Documents to Immigration or Korea Visa Portal

We will forward your documents to the school. The school will submit all paperwork, including their business license, school registration, and instructor operational plan, directly to the Korean Immigration Office or through the online Korea Visa Portal. Visa processing typically takes 7 to 10 working days after submission. (If additional documents or verification are needed during the review, processing may take longer.)

 

4. Receive Your Confirmation of Visa Issuance Number (CVI No.)

• Once your visa issuance number (VIN) is ready, Embark will notify you through the school and send you a “Receipt Number.” You must apply for your visa at your Korean embassy or consulate within 90 days of receiving your VIN.
• You can view your Confirmation of Visa Issuance Number (CVI No.) and print your Visa Issuance Certificate on the Korea Visa Portal.

5. Navigate Korea Visa Portal [Website]

1. Go to the Korea Visa Portal site. Click the language option in the top right and select English.
2. On the left menu, hover over “Check Application Status” and click “Check Application Status & Print.”

 

 

 

3. You will be directed to a form page. For “Type of applications,” choose “Confirmation of Visa Issuance.” For “Select,” choose “Receipt No.” and enter the number we provided. Next, enter your passport number, your name in English (as shown in your passport), and your date of birth.
4. After clicking “Search,” you will see your application status, which includes your ”Confirmation Number.” This confirmation number is your CVI No., which you will need to proceed. You can also print your visa issuance certificate by clicking the button in the bottom right.

 

 

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Step 2. E-2-1 Visa Application via Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC) 

 

After obtaining your Confirmation of Visa Issuance Number (CVI No.) or Confirmation Number, your next step is to submit your E-2-1 visa application by post through the Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC).

 

2.1 - Required Documents & Procedure for E-2-1 Visa Application

 

 

Following a governmental decision by the Republic of Korea to centralize visa processing in Berlin (Germany), the Visa Offices of a few selected ROK Empassies in Europe, including the London Embassy no longer receive visa applications. Thus, you can ONLY submit your documents by mail/post to KVAC.

 

Total Fee: 255 EUR (as of Jun. 26, 2025, fee changes every 6 months)

• Service Fee (60 EUR)
• Visa Fee (180 EUR)
• Optional Passport Return Fee (15 EUR)

 

We strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information. However, we strongly recommend directly contacting the KVAC London branch for the most current guidance, assistance, and any updates or changes.

• UK KVAC Visa Application Process

 

 

2.2 - Check Visa Status & Print Grant Notice

 

Visit the Korea Visa Portal to check your application status. Once your visa is granted, you must print your Visa Grant Notice, which you’ll need when entering Korea.

• Navigating the Korea Visa Portal [Website]

1. Click the language option in the top right and select English.
2. On the left menu, hover over “Check Application Status” and click “Check Application Status & Print.”

 

 

 

3. You will be redirected to a form page. For the Type of applications, choose “Diplomatic Office.” For Select, choose “Passport No.” and input your information. Enter your full name in English (as it appears in your passport) and your date of birth. After you fill out all required fields, click “Search.”
4. On your search results, you will be able to view details, such as your application number, the date of submission, your visa type, the status of your application, your length of stay, and your visa’s expiration date.
5. A ”Certificate” button is located at the bottom right of the page. Click this button to download and print your Visa Grant Notice. You must bring the printed “Visa Grant Notice” with you when entering Korea.

 

 

Step 3. - Arrival in Korea & Visa Medical Examination

 

Congratulations, you are that much closer to beginning your teaching journey in Korea! After receiving your E-2-1 Visa, book your flight! Before your departure, take a moment to ensure you have all the documents for entry.

 

3.1 - Essential Documents for Entry

• Passport

  Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months. However, we strongly recommend that it remains valid for at least 13 months from the start of your contract, so you do not have to renew it during your first year in Korea.

• E-2 Visa Grant Notice

  Print a copy of your visa grant notice. You will be required to present this document when entering Korea.

• Copy of Your School Contract and Contact Information

  Carry a printed copy of your school contract and school contact details. This may be requested by immigration officials and/or needed in case you must contact your school upon arrival.

• Carry 12 Extra Passport-Sized Photos

  Bring 12 professional passport-sized photos (3.5 x 4.5cm/See Photo Guide.) These will be useful for various registrations after arrival, including your medical examination, residence card, and more.

 

3.2 - Book Appointments In Advance

 

To stay on schedule after arriving, we recommend booking all necessary appointments before you depart. Depending on your work starting date (must complete all within 15 days), you may have a tighter or more flexible timeline, but in all cases, you must prepare in advance.

Upon arrival, you will:

1. Undergo a Visa Medical Examination at a designated Korean hospital.
2. Apply for a Residence Card at your local Immigration Office, which serves as your official ID in Korea
3. Obtain a Criminal Record Check & Report Employment to the Office of Education within 15 days of the starting work date.

 

3.3 - Visa Medical Examination Process

 

Teachers must also register with their local Office of Education within 15 days of their start date. Before registering with the immigration office, all teachers must complete a “Medical Examination” (Health Check) at a hospital designated by the Ministry of Justice. We recommend booking your appointment in advance. Most hospitals allow you to make a reservation by filling out a form on their website or calling directly.

 

Before Your Medical Exam

General Required Documents (check your specific hospital)

• 1 Original Passport (valid for at least 6 months, recommended 13 months)
• 2 Official Passport-sized Photos (3.5 x 4.5 cm/See Photo Guide)

Health & Exam Guidelines

• Do not eat food or drink for 8-12 hours before the exam (fasting required)
• Avoid cold medicine or caffeine 1 week before the exam
• For women, avoid taking the exam during your menstrual cycle (if possible)
• Inform the hospital staff if you are pregnant or have any medical conditions
• Exam Service fee: 70,000 ~ 200,000 KRW (varies by hospital)*

*The fee is typically paid by the teachers. Discuss with your school about payment/reimbursement.

 

Medical Examination Exam Details: Physical Examination –Mark Height/Weight/Blood Pressure Chest X-ray – Check for tuberculosis or other lung conditions Urine Test – Urinalysis and microscopy to assess kidney health Blood Test: Hemoglobin, SGOT/SGPT (Liver Function Test), FBS (Fasting Blood Sugar), VDRL-qal. (Test for syphilis), HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)* Drug Screening for: Cocaine, Opiates, Cannabinoids, Methoxyphenamine *Although HIV screening has not been mandatory since 2017, it is still commonly tested. Exam Duration: About 30 minutes to 2 hours (timing may vary) Exam Results: Typically processed within 3–4 business days and provided in sealed envelopes. These must remain sealed.

 

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Step 4. Foreign Resident Registration & Residence Card (RC)

 

While immigration allows foreign teachers up to 90 days to complete their resident registration, in reality, teachers must begin the process immediately after receiving their medical examination results. This is because the local Office of Education requires teachers to register within 15 days of their contract starting date.

The registration process is necessary to obtain a Residence Card (RC), which serves as your official ID and is required for accessing most services in Korea, such as opening a bank account. To apply, teachers must visit the local immigration office that has jurisdiction over their area of residence (not workplace). For example, if your housing is in Seoul, you must register at the Seoul Immigration Office.

 

Note: If you’re looking to travel outside of Korea, you must first apply for a re-entry permit and carry your RC with you. You are NOT permitted to leave the country before receiving your RC. If you are permanently leaving Korea, you must return your RC at the airport.

 

4.1 Find Your Immigration Office in Korea

 

Besides your resident card, you might need to visit the immigration office throughout your time in Korea. Office names can be misleading (E.g., Sejong residents use the Daejeon Immigration Office), but we’re here to help you navigate it.

 

 

1. Go to the Korea Immigration Service site [Website]. Unfortunately, the English version does not include detailed information about individual immigration offices. Under the tab “출입국 외국인정책본부 소개” (About Immigration Service), click “소속기관” (Offices).

 

 

 

2. Under the “소속기관목록” (List of Offices), choose the tab that matches the city or province where you’ll be living. Ulsan is listed under 부산/경남 (Busan/Gyeongsangnam), and Sejong is under 대전/충청 (Daejeon/Chungcheong). 전라 (Jeolla) includes both Jeollabuk and Jeollanam. 충청 (Chungcheong) includes both Chungjeongbuk and Chungjeongnam.

 

 

 

3. Scroll down below the map to see the list of offices. Instead of checking them one by one, use Ctrl+F (or Command+F on Mac) to search for your city (시), county (군), or district (구). For example, if you live in Gangnam, search for “강남구.” Make a note of the Office Name, Address, and Phone Number. Click the office name for more details.

 

Note:  1st Column: Office Name (기관명) 2nd Column: Jurisidiction Area (관할구역) 3rd Column: Address (주소) 4th Column: Tel./Fax No. (전화/팩스)

 

 

 

4. You will be redirected to a page with directions to the office (by subway or bus). If there are multiple branches in the city or province, the page will always open on the first tab, usually the main branch.

• For example, if you click the Sejongro Branch (세종로출장소) of the Seoul Immigration Office, you’ll still see the main branch (본관) first. Be sure to switch to the correct tab to get the right directions.

 

 

4.2 Resident Card Application Procedure

 

Step 1. Make an Online Reservation through Hi Korea

 

Note: You must make an appointment before visiting the Immigration Office. Walk-ins are only allowed on the last day of your visa, and even then, your application may not be accepted.

 

1. Go to the Hi Korea site [Website]. Under the blue tab titled “Reserve Visit,” Click “Apply”.

 

 

2. You’ll be taken to the “How to Use Visit Reservation” page. Read through the information, and scroll down, check the box to agree. After that, click the right button “Visit Reservation Application (Non-member).” You cannot make an account, as you do not currently have a Resident Registration Number.

 

 

3. You will be redirected to the Identity Verification page. Choose the second tab, “Identity verification using passport number,” and once you have submitted the relevant information, click confirm.

 

 

4. On the Application Form page, make sure the ”Competent Authority” is set to your local immigration office based on your place of residence. If you are not sure, you can check your office using the Detailed Search option.

 

 

5. For the Booth Category, select “Foreigner Residence Control” (if unavailable, choose Foreign Resident Support, Residence Control, or Others).

• Under Select a Task, choose “Foreign Resident Registration.”
• For the Password, enter any 4-digit number (you’ll need this to cancel your reservation, so be sure to write it down).

 

 

6. For Date of Visit, select the earliest day and date that works for you. Dates and times that are greyed out are already fully booked. If possible, we recommend booking your appointment at least two weeks before your visit. Click confirm, and print out the reservation confirmation letter. You will have to bring the ”Appointment Receipt” to the office.

 

Note: The early bird gets the worm! We recommend booking your appointment early in the day and arriving early. Each visit can take up to 12 minutes, but even with a reservation, you might be expected to wait. Try to avoid times near 12:00 PM, as lunch break is from 12:00–1:00 PM.

 

Step 2. Preparing Documents for Your Residence Card

Prepare Documents + Fee

 

Application Fee: Cash 35,000 KRW (39,000 KRW with mail delivery, since January 10, 2025)* The 35,000 KRW option requires you to pick up the card at the office. If you choose mail delivery, use your school’s address (not housing), as registered mail requires someone to be present during delivery. *The fee is typically paid by the teachers. Discuss with your school about payment/reimbursement.

 

 

Step 3. Visiting Your Local Immigration Office & Applying for Your Card (In-Person)

1. Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes BEFORE your appointment time, as you will have to pay for the Residence Card prior to submitting your documents.
2. Locate the “Residence (Permits/Division/etc.) Floor in your local office (체류민원실 in Korean)

(E.g., Located on 1F & 3F in Seoul Immigration Office)

 

 

 

3. Remember your Call No. (E.g., 135) listed on your Appointment Receipt. Your number will appear on the TV screen and on the small monitor above the employee booth. When your number appears, you will be expected to go to the booth displaying your number.

 

 

 

4. While you are waiting, pay your card issuance fee at the ATM inside the building. (E.g., Located on 1F & 3F in Seoul Immigration Office)

 

 

5. How to Use the ATM to Pay for the Registration Card Issuance fee.

1. Choose English as the language.

2. Select “Paying for alien registration card issuance.”

3. Read the agreement text, and click “Agree/Continue”.

4. Choose between “Scanning your Passport” or “Directly Inputting Passport ID.” If you choose to scan your passport, turn to the passport page with your name, photo, and machine-readable zone (MRZ). Place the page face down on the scanner glass.

5. Choose between “Card Pickup” (35,000 KRW) or “Mail-in Delivery” (39,000 KRW).

6. Input the correct cash amount to the machine. Wait for the receipt.

7. Make sure to hold onto the receipt! You will have to hand in the receipt along with the rest of your documents.

 

Note: There will be workers who will assist you if you need any clarification or help.

 

 

6. Once your number is called, submit your documents and your receipt.

 

Step 4. Retrieve Your Residence Card (In-Person/Mail)

You will be notified on your phone once your residence card is ready. The card typically takes 2-4 weeks to process.

• If you chose pickup, you can collect your card at the office (Information booth/Card Pick-up) without taking a queue ticket (no reservation needed)
• If you chose mail delivery, your card will be mailed to the address you provided.

 

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Step 5.  Criminal Record Check & Report Employment to the Office of Education

 

Teachers working with children in Korea must obtain a Criminal Record Check conducted within Korea.  This document is required when reporting employment to the Office of Education, and it must show no history of international sex offenses or child abuse.

 

5.1 - Criminal Record Check Process

The school will handle most of the criminal record check process. Please do not prepare your apostilled degree or background check again. If asked, you can request copies from your local immigration office in Korea by submitting a “Request for Information Disclosure.”

 

Criminal Record Check Procedure

 

Note: Normally, the school will handle this on its own, but in rare cases, you may be asked to accompany a staff member.

1. Visit in Person / Apply Online [Website]

Go to the local Korean police station in person to apply. The school could also apply online.

2. Document Submission

Submit your application and all required documents.

3. Certificate Issuance

Once the police complete the check, the certificate is sent back to the requesting party. It is issued immediately upon receipt. Processing can take an hour to a day. See Sample

 

 

5.2 - Report Employment to the Office of Education

Teachers must register with the local Office of Education within 15 days of their start date. Please reach out to your school or local Office of Education with any questions.
 

Note: Normally, the school will handle this on its own, but in rare cases, you may be asked to accompany a staff member.

General Required Documents for Reporting to the Office of Education

Related Blog: How to Check if Your Job is Registered with the Ministry of Education (MOE)

 

That’s it! You’ve successfully navigated the E-2-1 visa and entry process. Now you’re all set to begin your teaching adventure in Korea.