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32-2 · Study, training, teaching & research stays

Preparation of E-2 visa applications and workplace-change permission/notification documents

E-2 (Foreign Language Instructor) is the status of stay for native speakers teaching foreign language conversation at academies, schools and similar institutions. For English instructors, the basic requirements are nationality of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland or South Africa and a bachelor's degree or higher from that country. For a teacher abroad, the hiring academy applies for a Certificate for Confirmation of Visa Issuance with the degree copy, criminal record certificate, health statement and employment contract required under Annex 5 of the Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, while a person already in Korea applies for a change of status of stay at the immigration office with jurisdiction over the place of stay. A person staying more than 90 days must complete alien registration within 90 days of entry, submitting a pre-employment medical report including drug test results from a medical institution designated by the Minister of Justice. When moving to another academy, under Article 21 of the Immigration Act the teacher reports the change of workplace within 15 days of starting the new job if the requirements in the Ministry of Justice notice are met, and otherwise must obtain a change-of-workplace permit before starting work.

HWANG YUNSANG ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICESONGDO · 37.3892° N / 126.6439° E
#Preparation of E-2 visa applications and workplace-change permission/notification documents#Official check#32-2
🌐 Preparation of E-2 visa applications and workplace-change permission/notification documents
01

Procedure

Procedure

Procedure type
  • 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. 01

    Check teacher and academy requirements: Confirm the teacher's nationality, bachelor's degree or higher, and the country and program where the degree was earned, including special cases such as a bachelor's degree from a Korean university. Check first whether the hiring academy may employ foreign instructors and meets the facility standards, then sign the employment contract.

  2. 02

    Authenticate overseas documents: Obtain an apostille or Korean consular confirmation on the degree copy and the nationwide criminal record certificate issued by the home country's competent authority (FBI-issued for U.S. nationals). The health statement submitted at the visa stage is completed by the teacher personally on the prescribed form.

  3. 03

    Apply for a Certificate for Confirmation of Visa Issuance: For a teacher abroad, the hiring academy files the application with the employment contract and academy establishment documents at the immigration office; once issued, the teacher obtains the E-2 visa at a Korean embassy or consulate and enters Korea.

  4. 04

    Change of status for residents in Korea: A person staying in Korea on D-2 (Study) or D-10 (Job Seeking) status applies for a change of status at the immigration office with jurisdiction over the place of stay without leaving the country, submitting the authenticated academic documents, criminal record certificate and pre-employment medical report.

  5. 05

    Alien registration: Within 90 days of entry, register at the immigration office with jurisdiction over the place of stay, submitting the academy's business registration certificate and a pre-employment medical report including drug test results. Teachers recruited through the Ministry of Education or a provincial education office for elementary and secondary schools are exempt from this report.

  6. 06

    Change of workplace when moving academies: Prepare the new employment contract, the academy registration certificate and the release letter from the head of the previous workplace (not required on contract expiry, suspension or closure). If the requirements in the Ministry of Justice notice are met, report within 15 days of starting the new job; otherwise obtain a change-of-workplace permit before working at the new academy.

02

Filing route

Filing route

Certificate for Confirmation of Visa Issuance: immigration office with jurisdiction over the hiring academy; change of status, alien registration and change of workplace: immigration office with jurisdiction over the place of stay (the visa itself is issued by a Korean embassy or consulate)

Confirm the current filing office, jurisdiction, and online availability on the official website.

Official check
Actual processing agencyCompetent Immigration Office
Statutory and policy authorityCompetent Korean authority or official service
Online routeHiKorea
03

Deadlines & processing notes

Deadlines & processing notes

Check deadlines and next steps against the notice, filing date, and any request for additional documents.Official check
04

Fees & official charges

Fees & official charges

Administrative service fee
  • New from KRW 300,000
  • E-2 workplace change notification and document preparation from KRW 300,000
  • E-2 workplace change notification with 1 in-person filing in the Seoul metropolitan area from KRW 500,000
  • Prior permit for E-2 workplace change; prepare documents from KRW 300,000
  • Prior permit for E-2 workplace change with 1 in-person filing in the Seoul metropolitan area from KRW 500,000
All administrative service fees exclude 10% VAT.

Included in the basic fee — Initial document review, required-document guidance, basic form preparation, one filing support and responses to up to two supplement requests.

Conditional success fee — For this service, any conditional success fee may be separately agreed within the lawful service scope and stated in a written engagement agreement. No outcome is guaranteed.

Displayed amounts are starting estimates, not statutory or standard rates. The final fee is confirmed after consultation and document review in the engagement agreement. Government fees and actual expenses may change.

Fees & official charges →
05

Basic documents

Basic documents

Basic documents0 / 8

If a teacher who needs a change-of-workplace permit starts teaching at the new academy before the permit is granted, the teacher may face immigration sanctions and the academy may be liable for employing a foreigner without the required permit, so set the start date after the permit is issued.

Scope of services

Scope of services

Hwang Yunsang Administrative Agent Office prepares and translates documents for administrative agencies, submits them on your behalf, and guides you through permit, application, and notification procedures. Services that require the principal’s personal appearance, principal’s application, or electronic signature may be limited in delegation.