Who’s your ideal candidate?

We found from previous teachers that those who genuinely enjoy their time teaching English in Korea are people who are open to new experiences and cultures, adventurous, not afraid to try something new, and have a moderate amount of ambiguity tolerance.

Do I qualify to teach English in Korea?

To qualify to teach English in Korea, you must meet the following criteria:

• a. Be a citizen and passport holder of the following countries:
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Ireland
  • New Zealand
  • South Africa
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
• b. Be a native or near native English speaker.
• c. Be in good physical and mental health.
• d. Have at least a four-year degree from an accredited university.
• e. Have no criminal record (or minor criminal record).

What documents do I need in order to apply for a teaching job in Korea?

To expedite the application process, we strongly recommend you begin collecting the following documents as soon as possible:

• a. Original university diploma
• b. Sealed official transcripts from all universities attended (2 copies each)
• c. Criminal background check with apostille seal
• d. Valid passport with at least one blank page for the visa
• e. 1 photocopy of your passport information page
• f. 4 passport sized photos
• g. Statement of health (.pdf)

What kind of visa do I need to teach English in Korea? Will anyone help me?

Most teachers apply for an E-2 visa, which is valid for one year. If you are an overseas Korean (i.e., Korean-American, Korean-Canadian, etc.), then you may be able to apply for an F-4 visa, which is valid for a longer period of time. If you work at a seasonal, temporary job—such as a winter or summer camp program—then you will very likely need a C-4 visa, which is valid for less than one year.
You can see that there are a lot of visa categories for different employment situations! Regardless of the type of visa you apply for, LiveEnglish will help you with every step of the process!

How long does it take to get a visa?

Typically, it takes on average one week (from a few days up to 2 weeks) to receive a visa once all the documents have been submitted by the school to the Korean government (you will then receive an issuance number, which you will submit to your local Korean consulate or embassy). In bigger cities, such as Los Angeles or San Francisco, the processing time is usually within three days.

I’m already in Korea. Can I get a visa at the local immigration office?

No. Unfortunately, the Korean government does not permit foreigners to apply for work visas within Korea. In this case, you will have to leave Korea and make a trip to a Korean consulate or embassy in another country. Most people in this situation go to Japan to make a “visa run” at the Korean consulates in Fukuoka, Osaka, or Tokyo.

Do I have to pay for the visa?

No. The school will pay for your work visa. If you are here for a temporary job, it is possible though extremely seldom that the school will ask you to pay for your own visa (the price is on average $50).

What if I change jobs while I’m in Korea? Can I use the same visa?

No, you must re-apply for another visa, even if the same type. If you have an F-4 visa, then you can continue to work using the same visa regardless of change of employer.