Study, training, teaching & research stays
Preparation of E-2 visa applications and workplace-change permission/notification documents
The E-2 (Foreign Language Instructor) visa is the status of stay for native-speaker instructors who teach foreign-language conversation at private academies (hagwon), schools and similar institutions. For English conversation instructors, the basic requirements are nationality of one of 7 countries — the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland or South Africa — and a bachelor's degree or higher from that country. When moving to another academy, first check, before starting the new job, whether the change is subject to a report or to permission.
Procedure
- Permit Difficulty High
A procedure that allows a business, activity or stay that the law generally restricts, after review; licenses fall into this type. The authority reviews facility standards, location and consultation with other agencies, and a permit can be refused if the standards are not met.
- Notification Difficulty Low
You submit the statutory report form and required documents. Once the documents are in order the report is accepted; for some reports the authority checks the contents before accepting it.
We will prepare the E-2 visa and workplace change notification/prior approval documents. We distinguish between reporting and permission depending on the actual requirements of the instructor and educational institution.
Scope & fee
- New
- We will prepare application materials for the new visa by comparing the qualifications of 1 E-2 instructor and 1 educational institution with the overseas and employment proof provided. Obtaining overseas certification documents, changing to a new workplace, and in-person interviews are separate. It does not include in-office submissions.
- Official fee source ↗
- E-2 workplace change notification and document preparation
- If the change of 1 E-2 instructor or 1 educational institution meets the post-reporting requirements, we will prepare reporting documents by comparing the previous contract termination and new contract data. This is not the type of request that is made at the same time as prior approval. It does not include in-office submissions.
- Official fee source ↗
- E-2 workplace change notification with 1 in-person filing in the Seoul metropolitan area
- If the change of 1 E-2 instructor or 1 educational institution meets the post-reporting requirements, we will prepare reporting documents by comparing the previous contract termination and new contract data. This is not the type of request that is made at the same time as prior approval. 1 office visit is included.
- Official fee source ↗
- Prior permit for E-2 workplace change; prepare documents
- If the change of 1 E-2 instructor or 1 educational institution is not subject to post-reporting, we will prepare actual prior approval documents. Details of contract termination and new contract/organization data are provided, and new disputes and lengthy explanations are separate. It does not include in-office submissions.
- Official fee source ↗
- Prior permit for E-2 workplace change with 1 in-person filing in the Seoul metropolitan area
- If the change of 1 E-2 instructor or 1 educational institution is not subject to post-reporting, we will prepare actual prior approval documents. Details of contract termination and new contract/organization data are provided, and new disputes and lengthy explanations are separate. 1 office visit is included.
- Official fee source ↗
1. Check the nationality and degree requirements
As a basic rule, an English conversation instructor must be a national of one of the 7 countries who earned a bachelor's degree or higher in that country. There are special cases, such as a bachelor's degree earned at a Korean university, so check the country and the program in which the degree was earned.
2. Prepare the degree certificate and criminal record certificate
The degree certificate and the nationwide criminal record certificate from the country of nationality (issued by the FBI for the United States) must carry an apostille or consular legalization. Use a criminal record certificate issued within the last 6 months.
3. Certificate for Confirmation of Visa Issuance or change of status of stay
For an instructor who is abroad, the hiring academy applies for a Certificate for Confirmation of Visa Issuance, and the instructor obtains the visa at a Korean diplomatic mission abroad. An instructor staying in Korea on D-2 (Study), D-10 (Job Seeking) or a similar status applies for permission for change of status of stay after meeting the requirements.
4. Foreigner registration and hiring procedures after entry
Complete foreigner registration within 90 days after entry. At that time you must submit a pre-employment medical certificate that includes drug test results, issued by a medical institution designated by the Minister of Justice (instructors selected for elementary, middle and high schools through programs run by the Ministry of Education or a metropolitan or provincial office of education are excluded). The academy manages the hiring of the instructor in line with the standards of the office of education.
5. Change of workplace when moving to another academy
If the instructor has completed the contract period, the contract ended through no fault of the instructor, or the instructor left mid-contract but obtained a letter of release from the previous academy, a report of change of workplace is filed within 15 days from the day the new work starts. If the instructor was dismissed or left mid-contract for reasons attributable to the instructor and did not obtain a letter of release either, permission for change of workplace must be obtained before starting work. Working at the new academy before permission is granted is illegal employment.
Required documents
- Passport, photograph, integrated application form
- Degree certificate (apostille or consular legalization)
- Nationwide criminal record certificate from the country of nationality (apostille or consular legalization, issued within the last 6 months)
- Employment contract, the academy's business registration certificate and academy registration certificate
- For a change of workplace: letter of release (if any), new employment contract, residence card (Residence Card)
- For foreigner registration: pre-employment medical certificate from a designated medical institution (including a drug test)
Fees
Immigration fees paid by revenue stamp are fixed, for example 120,000 won for a change of workplace and 100,000 won for a change of status of stay. Our office fee starts from the amount shown above and may vary depending on the scope of document preparation; we will give you an exact quote after reviewing your documents.
Legal basis and review date
- Immigration Act, Article 21
- Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act, Article 26-2
- Public Notice on the Requirements for Foreigners Who May Change or Add a Workplace by Report Alone under Article 26-2, paragraph (1) of the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act
- Immigration Act, Article 95
- Immigration Act, Article 31
- Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Article 72
- Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Article 76
- Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Attached Table 5-2
Check these first
- First check whether the new academy is allowed to hire foreign instructors and meets the facility standards, and then sign the employment contract.
- The deadline for the report of change of workplace is 15 days from the start date of the new work, so keep a record of the start date.
Frequently asked questions
Nationals of which countries can obtain an E-2 visa?
How does a native-speaker instructor prepare the criminal record certificate?
What must an E-2 instructor do to move to another academy?
What happens if the instructor teaches at the new academy before permission is granted?
Can an international student (D-2) change to E-2 after graduation?
Contact us
Hwang Yunsang Administrative Office in Songdo, Incheon prepares and submits administrative documents and explains the procedure. If your situation is similar, send us a message.
📍 2697, 26F POSCO Tower-Songdo, 165 Convensia-daero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, Republic of Korea · 📞 010-3374-2687 · 🌐 hwangadmin.com
This guide is general information based on public sources. Requirements, documents and deadlines differ by case and by the competent agency, so please confirm them before you proceed.