Complete E2 visa Korea guide for teachers. Learn E2 visa South Korea requirements, E7 visa salary, E3 visa research options, H2 Korean visa info, and how to extend E2 visa Korea easily.
South Korea attracts thousands of foreign workers every year. Teachers flood into Seoul and Busan. Skilled professionals land jobs in tech companies. Researchers join university labs. They all need proper documentation to work legally. The visa system might feel overwhelming at first. Different types serve different purposes. The government created specific categories for English teachers, skilled workers, researchers, and ethnic Koreans. Understanding which visa fits your situation saves time. It prevents application mistakes too.
Most English teachers need the E2 visa for Korea. Skilled workers usually apply for the E7 visa in South Korea. Researchers qualify for the E3 visa Korea. Each has unique requirements and benefits.
Ready to start your Korean work visa journey? Beyond Border handles Korean visa applications from start to finish and guides you through every step of the process.
The E2 visa Korea allows foreign nationals hired to teach conversational foreign languages at Korean schools. Most people teach English. Some teach French, Spanish, or Chinese at educational institutions. The visa stays valid for 13 months. Private academies called hagwons hire thousands of E2 visa Korea holders each year. Public schools through programs like EPIK do the same. This visa dominates the English teaching market here.
Only citizens from seven countries can apply. USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland, and South Africa make the list. No exceptions exist for this citizenship rule. Applicants must be native speakers from these countries. Your degree matters too. You need a bachelor's degree minimum from an accredited school. Any major works fine.
Getting your E2 visa requirements approved needs specific papers. Your university degree must first be notarized then apostilled. Most consulates accept a copy rather than the original. The FBI background check for Americans cannot be more than six months old when applying. Only FBI checks work. South Africans need a Police Clearance Certificate. UK citizens require a Basic Disclosure. Canadians must get an RCMP check. Every document from abroad needs apostille authentication.
You'll also need passport photos, a valid passport with at least six months remaining, and a completed visa application form. The E2 visa Korea cost is around $45 USD though fees change regularly.
Confused about apostille requirements for your country? Beyond Border connects you with authentication services and ensures your documents meet Korean standards perfectly.
The E2 visa to Korea follows a two step process. You must first receive and accept a job offer from a school. Then apply for a visa number by sending required documents to the school. Your employer in Korea submits documents to immigration. Normal processing time ranges between 5 and 10 business days. During peak times it takes longer. Once approved, you receive a Visa Issuance Number.
Take that number to your local Korean consulate. Submit your application with all required documents. The visa issuance usually takes less than a week. Sometimes it extends to 2 or 3 weeks. After arrival with your E2 visa Korea stamped you must undergo a mandatory medical exam at a designated hospital within 30 days. Tests include TB, HIV, and drug screening. Failure may result in visa revocation.
The E7 visa South Korea targets skilled workers in over 90 job categories. Engineers need this visa. IT professionals do too. Marketing specialists, hotel managers, and technical experts all qualify. Foreigners who work in designated job fields for enhancing national competitiveness need the E7 visa South Korea. You must sign contracts with Korean companies.
Money matters for this visa. The Ministry of Justice announced updated E7 visa Korea salary thresholds effective from April 1 through December 31, 2025. The E7-1 professional personnel category requires a minimum annual income of 28.67 million won. The E7-2 semi professional category needs 25.15 million won yearly. These numbers represent gross annual income before taxes. Your employer must prove they're paying enough.
The visa separates workers into four subtypes. E7-1 covers professionals like senior executives and engineers. E7-2 includes semi professionals such as hotel receptionists and medical coordinators. E7-3 targets general skilled workers including shipbuilding welders. E7-4 uses a point system for skilled tradespersons.
Each category has different qualification standards. Standard eligibility includes either a bachelor's degree plus at least one year of work experience in your occupation. Or at least 5 years of work experience without a degree.
Need help determining which E7 category fits your skills? Beyond Border's visa experts analyze your qualifications and match you with the right visa pathway quickly.
Scientists and researchers get their own visa category. The E3 visa Korea covers people invited by Korean institutions to engage in natural science research or high technology development. Common eligibility requires doctorate holders. Or master's degree holders with at least 3 years of experience. Domestic Korean master's degree holders skip the experience requirement.
Universities hire E3 visa Korea holders. Research institutes do too. Required documents include a master's degree or higher diploma, career certificates if applicable, and employment contracts from Korean institutions. The E3 visa South Korea processing mirrors the E2 system. Your employer applies first. Then you take the approval to your local Korean embassy.
The H2 Korean visa serves as a preferential employment visa for ethnic Koreans. It covers people from 11 countries primarily China and Commonwealth of Independent States nations. This visa category recognizes cultural connections. If your parents or grandparents held Korean citizenship before immigrating, you might qualify.
Eligible ethnic Koreans must pass a language test. They obtain a visa through a lottery system. Workers can stay for a maximum of five years before returning home. Unlike the E9 work visa, H2 Korean visa holders enter Korea without prior employment arrangements. The flexibility appeals to many. You can work in manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and service industries.
Wondering if you qualify for H2 based on your family background? Beyond Border verifies your eligibility and helps you navigate the lottery application process smoothly.
Your first visa eventually expires. Korean immigration allows renewal up to 4 months before expiration. As of 2023 immigration recommends applying at least 2 months early.
Extending E2 visa Korea requires specific papers. You need a signed contract, passport, Alien Registration Card, school business license copy, school registration copy, work schedule, and class chart. Housing contract and labor income withholding receipt too. The extension fee costs 50,000 won. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks. You can apply online through HiKorea. Or visit an immigration office in person.
Important warning. If you leave Korea for vacation before your online application finishes processing it automatically cancels. No notification arrives. Wait until approval before booking flights.
The E2 visa in the USA and E2 visa Korea are completely different programs. America's E2 Treaty Investor visa helps entrepreneurs start businesses. You need substantial investment, usually $100,000 or more. The visa lets you run your own company. Korea's E2 lets you teach English at schools. They share nothing except the E2 name. Don't mix them up when researching visa options. The requirements differ completely.
You must apply for an Alien Registration Card at a local immigration office within 90 days of arrival. Bring your passport, visa, proof of address, and health check results. The ARC gets issued in 2 to 4 weeks. It serves as your ID in Korea. Open a Korean bank account. Get a phone number. Find your favorite convenience store. Korea becomes home quickly once you settle in. Most teachers renew at least once. The country grows on you. Amazing food everywhere. Efficient transportation connects cities. Safe neighborhoods welcome foreigners. Rich culture mixes ancient traditions with modern technology.
What countries can apply for E2 visa Korea? Only citizens from the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK, Ireland, and South Africa qualify for E2 visa Korea teaching positions at Korean educational institutions.
How long does an E2 visa for South Korea processing take? Korean immigration typically processes E2 visa applications in 5 to 10 business days for the initial approval number while the final consulate visa issuance takes less than a week.
What is the minimum salary for E7 visa South Korea in 2025? The 2025 E7 visa Korea salary requirements set minimum annual income at 28.67 million won for professional personnel and 25.15 million won for semi-professional workers.
Can I extend my E2 visa to Korea online? Yes you can renew your E2 visa through the HiKorea online system starting up to 4 months before expiration though immigration recommends applying at least 2 months early with processing taking 2 to 3 weeks.
What is the difference between E3 visa Korea and E2 visa? The E3 visa serves researchers engaged in natural science or high technology research at Korean institutions while the E2 visa specifically covers foreign language instructors teaching at Korean schools.
