H-1 to E-2 Visa Transfer

Can You Change Your H-1 Visa Status to an E-2 While in Korea?

 

If you are already in Korea on a Working Holiday (H-1) visa and want to teach English full-time, here’s good news: switching to an E-2 is possible without leaving Korea for the designated countries, except for the U.K. (you must have to leave Korea and re-enter).  Before you let your H-1 expire, you must sign a contract with a school and apply for the E-2-1 visa while in Korea. 

 

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Working-Holiday (H-1) Visa Holders

 

The H-1 Working Holiday visa allows you to enjoy an extended stay in Korea, typically up to one year, with the possibility of extending up to 24 months for Canadian citizens, while engaging in short-term employment. H-1 visa holders may work up to 25 hours per week.

 

To apply for an H-1 visa, you must be a citizen of a country that has signed a Working Holiday agreement with Korea and plan to take on short-term employment during your stay. Applicants from seven native English-speaking countries, excluding South Africa, are eligible to apply for a Working Holiday visa in Korea:

• Australia (Ages 18–30)
• Canada (Ages 18–35)
• Ireland (Ages 18–34)
• New Zealand (Ages 18–30)
• United Kingdom (Ages 18–35)
• United States (Ages 18–35)

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Can I apply while my H-1 Visa is about to expire? 

 

If your H-1 is about to expire while your E-2-1 is still processing, immigration may provide a temporary extension. However, if your H-1 expires before you can submit your E-2-1 application, you will need to go back to your home country and apply for the E-2-1 or go on a visa run (leave Korea and re-enter).*We do not advise going on a "visa run," unless strictly necessary. 

 

Note:  While it is possible for holders of the H-1 (Working Holiday) visa in most of the designated native English countries (Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United States) to transfer to an E-2-1 visa within Korea, please check with your Korean embassy or consulate in your home country regarding applying for your E-2-1 visa application by post/mail, as some require that the applicant apply in person.

 

Exception: U.K. Citizens 

Unfortunately, for U.K. citizens, it is not possible to change their visa status within Korea. 

 

U.K. citizens will need to:

1. Allow the H-1 visa to expire or depart before expiration (return to the U.K.)
2. Sign a contract with a Korean school
3. Send documents to the school for the Visa Issuance Number (VIN) Application.
4. Apply for the E-2-1 visa from the U.K. through KVAC. 
5. Re-enter Korea after receiving the E-2-1 visa

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How to Transfer from an H-1 to an E-2 Visa

 

To transfer from a H-1 visa to an E-2 visa, ensure you meet the following requirements:

• Must hold a valid H-1 visa in South Korea
• Must be eligible for an E-2-1 Visa

E-2-1 Eligibility Requirements:   Be a citizen of a country where English is the primary language. (U.S.A., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, U.K. and Northern Ireland, Ireland, and South Africa) Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in one of the 7 native English-speaking countries. Be a native speaker or have completed junior high school (7th grade) and lived for at least 10 years in a native English-speaking country

• Must have a signed contract from a registered educational institution in Korea
• The position must meet E-2-1 visa requirements
• Required documents must be submitted and approved (see below)

Once you sign a contract with a new school, you can begin your visa transfer process. 

 

Visa Application

The school does not need to apply for a VIN; you simply need to book an appointment and visit your local immigration office to apply for the E-2-1 visa.

 

The processing time at Korean consulates and embassies varies by region and season, but it generally takes 5–15 business days. If you want to know how to check the visa application progress, see our guide on how to navigate the Korea Visa Portal. 

 

Related article: E-2 Visa General Documents and Timeline

 

Note: Once your visa application has been submitted, you must remain in Korea. Immigration officials process extensions or changes to your visa on the assumption that you are still in the country. If you travel abroad during this period, your application will be automatically cancelled.

 

Documents to Prepare for an E-2-1 Visa

 

General Documents 

• Notarized and Apostilled Bachelor's Degree
• Apostilled Criminal Background Check
• VIN Application Form
• E-2 Visa Health Statement
• 4-6 Passport Photos
• Copy of Passport
• Resume
• Employee Contract
  • Signed by both the teacher and the school
• Proof of Residence
  • School housing (provided by the school)
  • Your housing (prepared by you) 
• Your Residence Card (RC)

Fee Payment: Pay the visa transfer fee (KRW 130,000)

 

Once the visa is processed, you will receive an updated residence card (RC) that reflects your new visa status.