Korean E-2 Visa Process

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. Make sure that the police include a vulnerable sector search.

You will need get your criminal record notarized by a notary public.
You will then need to send or take your criminal record to a Korean Consulate for them to notarize it as well. Please follow the steps below
Please check our useful links to find the consulate nearest you.

In-person and mailing procedures:

If you take these documents in yourself, remember to bring the notarized criminal record, your passport, and $2.20 cash or money order.
If you mailing these documents, you must mail the notarized criminal record and a photocopy of your passport with Xpresspost from Canada Post.
You need to included an Xpresspost return envelope with postage paid and your address.
The Consulate notarization fee is $2.20. If you are mailing this you must send a money order (no personal checks or cash).

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 get two photocopies notarized by a notary public or lawyer.
After it is notarized you need to take it or mail it to the Consulate for them to notarize following the same procedures as the criminal record check above.

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:

Signed contract,
Original degree (or notarized copy with the notarial certificate),
Two sealed university transcripts,
Photocopy of the information page in your passport,
Notarized criminal record check with a vulnerable sector search,
Your health statement form,
Three passport sized photographs, and
A copy of your resume.

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 ($55). The Consulate only accepts cash or money order, no personal checks.
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.