Requirements for Teaching English in Korea: A Comprehensive Guide

Interested in teaching English in Korea? This guide will walk you through the necessary qualifications, including education, citizenship, and visa requirements, along with the key documents you’ll need to prepare.

What Are The Requirements To Teach English In Korea?

Citizenship from English-Speaking Countries

You must be a native English speaker holding citizenship from one of the following countries: United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, South Africa, or New Zealand

Educational Background

You will need a bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited university.
When applying through Aclipse, we also require 10 years of education in an English-speaking country (from the list above), starting from grade 7 onward. This is to ensure proficiency in English and familiarity with Western educational systems.

Clean Criminal Background Check

You must provide a national-level criminal background check from your country of citizenship, showing no criminal record. This document often needs to be apostilled (officially certified).

Health Examination

Upon arrival in South Korea, you will undergo a health check, including tests for communicable diseases and drug use.

Valid Passport

Your passport must be valid for the duration of your intended stay.

TEFL/TESOL Certification (Not Mandatory but Beneficial)

While not always mandatory, having a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) certification can enhance your job prospects, especially with reputable schools.

Available Visas for Teaching English In Korea

E-2 Visa (Foreign Language Instructor Visa)

Who Can Apply:

  • Citizens from the seven designated English-speaking countries listed above.

Purpose:

  • Specifically for individuals employed as foreign language instructors at institutions like public schools, private academies (hagwons), and universities.

Requirements:

  • Meet the educational and background check criteria mentioned above.

Restrictions:

  • Must work as a language instructor.
  • Employment is tied to a specific employer.
  • Changing jobs requires permission from Korean immigration.
  • Limited to teaching the language of your native country.
  • E-2 visa holders cannot sponsor dependents (spouse or children) for resident visas.

Validity:

  • Typically valid for one year, renewable annually.

F-4 Visa (Overseas Korean Visa)

Who Can Apply:

  • Individuals of Korean heritage who hold foreign citizenship (e.g., Korean-Americans).

Purpose:

  • Allows overseas Koreans to live and work in South Korea with fewer restrictions.

Benefits:

  • Greater freedom in employment opportunities.
  • Not limited to teaching and can work in various fields.
  • No need for sponsorship by an employer, freedom to change jobs without additional immigration procedures.
  • Can enroll in the national health insurance system.
  • Eligible to sponsor immediate family members for visas.

Requirements:

  • Proof of Korean ancestry (e.g., family registry documents).
  • Must have previously held Korean citizenship or have parents or grandparents who are/were Korean citizens.

Validity:

  • Valid for up to three years and can be renewed.

For more information about F-4 visas, and how to obtain one, check out this blog post.

Other Relevant Visas

E-1 Visa (Professor Visa):

  • For individuals teaching at the university level.
  • Requires advanced degrees (master's or doctorate) and professional experience.

E-7 Visa (Specially Designated Activities Visa):

  • For professionals with specialized skills not covered by other work visas.
  • Can be an option for teachers who don't meet E-2 requirements but have unique qualifications.

F-6 Visa (Spouse of a Korean National):

  • For foreigners married to Korean citizens.
  • Allows unrestricted work rights in South Korea.

Required Visa Documents To Teach In Korea

Below, you’ll find all the information you need to properly obtain your visa documents for teaching in South Korea. We’ve outlined step-by-step instructions on how to gather the required documents, including examples based on your country of citizenship.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your assigned recruiter. We also encourage all applicants to scan and email a copy of their visa documents to their recruiter as soon as they are obtained. This allows us to verify that everything is correct before you mail the originals to the Aclipse office.

Required Documents Overview

You will need the following documents to obtain a visa to teach in Korea. Your name on all of your documents must match exactly the name that is on your passport. Make and keep copies of each of these documents for your own records, as they cannot be returned once submitted. 

  • One apostilled national criminal background check.
  • One apostilled photocopy of a Bachelor’s diploma.
  • A Latin degree translation if your diploma is written in Latin. If your diploma is not written in Latin, you do not need to do this.
  • Two passport photos if you are an E2 visa candidate.  
  • A copy of your passport.  Make sure it is valid through the year you would be teaching in Korea.
  • The Korean immigration issued health statement (this form will be provided to you by the recruiter).
  • A letter of graduation OR a transcript from your university that confirms your degree and date of graduation

You can also get advice from former teachers who have already recently gone through the process from their respective countries. Click on the links below for first-hand experiences by country of origin:

Apostille And Authentication Procedures

What is an Apostille?

An apostille is a form of authentication that ensures certain documents intended for use abroad, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, criminal background checks (CBCs), adoption papers, and more, are recognized as legitimate in the country where they will be used. The government issues this authentication as an apostille. Citizens of countries that are part of the Hague Convention must submit documents —specifically criminal background checks (CBCs) and diploma photocopies — with apostille authentication. Without an apostille, these documents cannot be accepted, and a visa cannot be issued.

Visit Travel.State.Gov for more information on the Apostille and Hague Treaty.

How to Get an Apostille for Your Documents

United States Citizens

FBI Criminal Background Check (CBC) Apostille

Since the FBI-issued CBC is a federal document, it must be apostilled at the federal level. There are two ways to do this:

Option 1: Mail it Yourself

Mail your CBC directly to the U.S. Department of State to apply for the apostille. This costs $8 per document but can take up to six weeks, potentially delaying your start date. For more details, visit the State Department website.

Tip: Check with the State Department for the most current processing time before proceeding.

Option 2: Expedited Service through Monument Visa

Aclipse has partnered with Monument Visa (MV) to expedite the apostille process. Pay the $55 fee here and send the electronic file of your FBI CBC to your recruiter.

Monument Visa will have an MV staff member take your documents directly to the Washington, D.C. Secretary of State office for immediate apostille processing, ensuring that your documents are returned without delay.

For both diploma and FBI CBC apostilles, pay $110 using this PayPal link.

Once payment is complete, email electronic copies of your CBC and/or diploma to your recruiter. They will confirm the information and ensure the quality of the scans before proceeding.

Canada Citizens

*New Procedure Effective from January 11, 2024*

Apostille RCMP Check (must include photo and fingerprints):
  • Order your RCMP Check:
    • Visit Commissionaires or RCMP.
    • Ensure your RCMP check includes fingerprints AND a photo, and that your name matches your passport EXACTLY.
  • Apostille Your RCMP Check:
    • Have your original RCMP check notarized by a public notary.
    • Then, get it apostilled by your Provincial Government Authentication Office. Visit in person if possible to have it processed the same day.
    • Note: Only original RCMP checks with an apostille are accepted. Apostilled copies will be rejected by immigration.
Apostille Degree:
  • Notarize a Copy of Your Degree:
    • Bring your original degree to a public notary or a lawyer with a notary license. They will make a photocopy, sign, and stamp it as a notarized copy.
  • Apostille the Notarized Copy:
    • Take the notarized copy to your Provincial Government Authentication Office for an apostille, ideally on the same day as your RCMP check.
  • Tip: Save time and money by getting both your notarized degree copy and RCMP check apostilled during the same visit.
Provincial Authentication Offices:

Important: Double-check policies before visiting or mailing your documents, as requirements may vary. Some offices may accept the original RCMP check directly, while others may require a notarized copy.

Other E2 Citizens

Obtaining an apostille in other countries is generally similar to the process in the U.S. Here are resources for specific countries:

Criminal Background Check Procedures

All foreign citizens who wish to teach English in Korea must obtain and submit one original national criminal background check authenticated with an apostille.

Below are the instructions and information on how to obtain a criminal background check for citizens of the US, Canada, and other E2 visa countries. If you need further assistance, please contact your Aclipse recruiter.

THE NAME ON THE CRIMINAL BACKGROUNG CHECK AND DEGREE MUST BE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE NAME ON THE PASSPORT (INCLUDING THE MIDDLE NAME).

United States

US citizens have two options when applying for an FBI background check, (1) applying directly through the FBI or (2) using FBI channeler services. We highly recommend using an FBI approved channelerWhile the cost can be higher going through a channeler, processing time for Option 1 can be as high as 14 weeks, causing difficulties with departure timing.

When choosing a channeler, please make sure that their CBCs have not had issues being apostilled by the US State Department. Some CBCs have been rejected by the US State Department for apostilling, which means they cannot be submitted to Korean immigration or the MOE. The channelers we have featured below have confirmed with Aclipse that their CBCs are currently being apostilled without issue.  We recommend using the first channeler, National Background Check, as they can email you an electronic copy of your CBC, which will decrease the amount of time for you to receive it. If you select this option however, you can only access your CBC for 24 hours upon receiving the email.  It is for this reason we encourage you to print out a copy, along with saving it on your computer, as soon as you receive it. 

Please inform your Aclipse recruiter once you have submitted the CBC request. It is ideal if you can find out from the channeler when your CBC will be issued. This is so that we can predict when your CBC will be ready for visa processing and teaching start dates. Once Aclipse receives the CBC, we will send it to a service in Washington DC to get an expedited apostille. The cost for the service is $55.00. Payment can be made on the Aclipse website if you wish to use our services. If you do not wish to use this service, you will then need to mail your CBC to the US Department of State to have them apostilled. Please see the Apostille Instructions document for more information and contact your Aclipse recruiter with any concerns about timing as the State Department can take much longer.

 

Channelers (Please note that Aclipse is not able to confirm procedures for particular channelers.)

National Background Check, Inc. www.nationalbackgroundcheck.com (877) 932-2435
National Credit Reporting www.myFBIreport.com (800) 441-1661

Canada
To obtain your RCMP report visit a Commissionaires Office. Have your fingerprints & your photo taken and apply for your report. 
 
Be sure to enter your name on the application EXACTLY as it appears on your passport, or Korean Immigration won't accept it and you'll need to apply again. 
You should receive your report by mail within 2-3 weeks. Once received, you'll then need to have it notarized and apostilled along with your degree. See "Apostille" instructions above for details. 
Britan And Wales
Citizens of Britain and Wales have to apply for a DBS https://www.gov.uk/request-copy-criminal-record  The check also takes 14 days and cost around 25 pounds.
 
It is on their website at the link above, but to apply you will need the following:
  • all your addresses for the last 5 years and the dates you lived there
  • your National Insurance number
  • a debit or credit card
  • proof of your identity, for example a passport, valid driving licence or birth certificate (if you haven’t used GOV.UK, verify before)
Scotland

Citizens from Scotland must submit an apostilled copy of a Basic Disclosure. This copy must have been issued within the last 6 months. The process takes at least 14 days so please apply for it ASAP!

Step 1: You can apply online, if your current address is in the UK and if you have been living at this address for at least twelve months.

– Apply Online: http://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk/apply-online/ – If you do not satisfy the above criteria, you will have to apply using a paper application form. The fee for a Basic Disclosure is £23. You will need to pay using a credit or debit card. All major cards are accepted. This will appear as BT Disclosure Scotland on your account statement. Please have your card details handy before you proceed. You will need the following information/documents on hand to fill out the online application:

  • Passport*
  • Driving Licence*
  • National Insurance Number*
  • Electricity Bill
  • Previous Disclosure
  • Address details covering at least the last five years
  • Employer’s address if your Disclosure is to be sent there
  • Credit or debit card
You must be able to provide at least one of the following: Passport Number, Driving Licence Number or National Insurance Number.  
 
Step 2: Please send COPIES of the following:
  • A utility bill (e.g. gas, electricity or telephone) or another document issued by a government dept. or your local authority which confirms your current address, and
  • Either your passport, driving licence or birth certificate which confirms date of birth details.
You can email, fax or post the COPIES of these documents to Disclosure Scotland, see contact details below. Please do NOT post the original documents. When sending your supporting documents please ensure that you quote the 16-digit reference provided at the end of the online application process. Disclosure Scotland is unable to process your application until these supporting documents are received. Send the copies via:
  • Email – info@disclosurescotland.co.uk
  • Fax – 0870 609 6996
  • Post – Disclosure Scotland, Basic EHU, PO Box 250, Glasgow, G51 1YU
If you want to check on the status of your application, you can contact:
  • By phone – on 0870 609 6006
  • By email – to info@disclosurescotland.co.uk
Ireland

Irish citizens can apply for a criminal background check by clicking the link below:

Link: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/moving_abroad/leaving_ireland/police_certificate.html

 
New Zealand

New Zealand citizens can apply for a criminal background check by clicking the link below:

Link: https://www.justice.govt.nz/criminal-records/get-your-own/

South Africa

South African citizens can apply for a criminal background check by clicking the link below:

Link: https://www.saps.gov.za/services/applying_clearence_certificate.php

Australia

Australian citizens can apply for a criminal background check by clicking the link below:

Link: https://www.afp.gov.au/what-we-do/services/criminal-records/national-police-checks

Document Examples

Click the links below to see document examples of what they should look like for each country. Please make sure all your documents have the same name as your passport. That means if your passport has your first, middle and last name all your documents should have that as well. If your diploma for instance just has your middle initial, or doesn’t have either an initial or middle name, you will need to obtain a letter from your university to confirm that you are the same person that your passport identifies you as. 

United States usa flag

Canada canadian flag

United Kingdom UK flag

South Africa south africa flag

Australia austrlian flag

New Zealand new zealand flag

Ireland ireland flag

United States Document Examples

 

The following are examples of what a criminal background check, an apostille for your background check, a notarized diploma and an apostille for a diploma looks like. Please make sure the name on your diploma and criminal background check matches the name on your passport.

 

Criminal Background Check

* Depending on where you get your CBC from it maybe white or blue.

Criminal Background Check Apostille

Notarized Diploma

* Your diploma must be notarized and apostilled in the same state.

Diploma Apostille

* Each state has a different apostille cover sheet, but make sure the cover sheet says "Apostille" on it.

Canadian Document Examples

 
The following are examples of an apostilled RCMP report and an apostilled degree copy. Both the RCMP report and your degree copy need to be notarized before they are apostilled at a provincial government office. Once they are apostilled, they are ready for the visa process. 

Apostilled RCMP

Example of an Apostilled Degree for Canadians getting a visa to teach English in Korea

Example of a Certified RCMP for Canadians getting a visa to teach English in Korea

Apostilled Degree

Example of an Apostilled Degree for Canadians getting a visa to teach English in Korea

Example of an Apostilled Degree for Canadians getting a visa to teach English in Korea

United Kingdom Document Examples

 

The following are examples of what a criminal background check, an apostille for a background check, a notarized diploma and an apostille for a diploma looks like. Please make sure the name on your diploma and criminal background check matches the name on your passport.

Criminal Background Check for Britain and Wales

Criminal Background Check for Scotland

Criminal Background Check Apostille

* This is usually located on the back of your CBC.

Notarized Diploma

Diploma Apostille

South African Document Examples

 

The following are examples of what a criminal background check, an apostille for a background check, a notarized diploma and an apostille for a diploma looks like. Please make sure the name on your diploma and criminal background check matches the name on your passport.

Notarized Criminal Background Check

Criminal Background Check Apostille

* The apostille for the diploma looks the same.

Notarized Diploma

Australia Document Examples

 

The following are examples of what a criminal background check, an apostille for a background check, a notarized diploma and an apostille for a diploma looks like. Please make sure the name on your diploma and criminal background check matches the name on your passport.

Apostilled Criminal Background Check

Notarized Diploma

Diploma Apostille

* The apostille is usually put on the back of the diploma.

New Zealand Document Examples

 

The following are examples of what a criminal background check and an apostille for a background check and a notarized diploma look like. Please make sure the name on your diploma and criminal background check matches the name on your passport.

Criminal Background Check

Apostille for a Criminal Background Check and a Notarized Diploma

Irish Document Examples

 

The following are examples of what a criminal background check, a cover sheet for a notarized diploma and an apostille for a notarized diploma and a criminal background check look like. Please make sure the name on your diploma and criminal background check matches the name on your passport.

Criminal Background Check

Notarized Cover Sheet for Diploma

Apostille

* The apostille is usually put on the back of the diploma and criminal background check.