Step 1 Gather your documents
We suggest that you start to gather your documents now, so that once you accept a job offer you will be ready to start the visa process right away. Please download our Document Checklist to use as a quick reference guide.
1. Criminal record check.
2. University Degree.
- Your degree must be from a four year accredited university.
- You must have the original degree.
- If you do not want to send your original degree, you need to submit two photocopies with an apostille attached .
3. University Transcripts.
- Contact your university and request three sealed copies of your transcripts with a stamp over the seal.
- Two copies will be sent to the school in Korea.
- The other copy will go to the Consulate after you get your visa confirmation number.
4. Health Statement
- This is a form from the Korean government that asks about your drug history and whether you have any communicable diseases.
- After you arrive in Korea you will need to have a blood test and physical exam.
- If you do not pass the health exam your visa will probably be revoked.
- Click here to download the health statement form.
5. Four Passport Sized Photographs
- You will need four standard passport sized photos. The requirements are the same as if you needed a new passport.
- The pictures cannot be older than six months.
6. Passport
- Your passport must have at least six months validity remaining, and a completely empty page for your visa to go.
7. Photocopy of your passport.
- You need to have photocopies of the information page of your passport.
8. Resume
- You will need a printed copy of your resume.
9. Signed Copy of the Contract
- Once you have accepted a position you will need to print out the contract and sign it.
Once you have all of these documents you are ready to move on to step 2.
Step 2 Send your documents to Korea
1. Once you have all of these documents you need to send the following to your employer in Korea. Please use DHL, UPS, or FedEx to send the documents because they can be tracked more easily. If your documents are delayed or lost you could lose your job. Make sure you include the school's phone number on the package. The documents you need to send are:
Step 3 Apply for your visa at a Korean Consulate
Once the school receives your visa they will send us your visa confirmation number. You will then need to take or mail the following to the Korean Consulate closest to you:
- Visa application form with your confirmation number on the top,
- Your sealed transcripts,
- Your passport,
- Visa application fee. This is $45 in either cash or money order.
- A passport sized photograph,
- Photocopy of original degree,
- Criminal record check (photocopy of original), and
- A second health statement form (make sure your answers are the same as the one you sent).
Once the consulate has your documents they will then set up a face-to-face interview with you. This interview is a requirement and should be taken seriously. Some consulates are willing to make other arrangements for people that live far away from a Korean consulate, but you should be prepared to travel to a consulate if necessary. We will do everything we can to try to make this process as easy as possible. Once you have completed your interview you will receive your visa and are ready to go!
Changes are being made to the visa process, and to confuse matters more, each Korean consulate has a slightly different way of doing things. As the visa process can be tricky we are happy to provide you with assistance either over the phone, in-person, or via email.
