The Ultimate Explorer

The Ultimate Explorer

Jane

Hello, my name is Jane. I have lived in Korea for 10 years now and I am here to give you the inside story of life as it is. Tips on how to correctly navigate through culture and some survival skills especially to newcomers.

Posts : E-2 Visa for ESL teachers (2)

All The Korean Journey (1) Recruitment process (3) E-2 Visa for ESL teachers (7) Covid and Quarantine updates (2) ESL Education (3)
ESL teachers change of residency status
by Jane
E-2 Visa for ESL teachers (7/7)
ESL teachers change of residency status

(D-4, D-2, D-10) to E-2 If you are currently on a D-2 (student visa) or a D-10 (job-seeking visa) you can prepare the necessary documents and visit the immigration office. However, you are not eligible if you have stayed abroad for more than 3 months on a D-series visa.   How to apply (Visitation Only) 1. Qualifications (All ①, ②, ③ requirements must be met) A person who is legally holding a D-4 (language training), D-2 (student visa) or a D-10 (job-seeking visa)  A person who meets all E-2 visa qualifications   A holder of a concluded and signed contract by the employer and representatives of the institution.  Required documents  Application form Passport and foreigner residency card Employment contract  Degree or career certificates Documents related to the establishment of the facility (business registration, academy establishment certificate, real estate registration, etc.) A criminal record Physical health examination (sealed) Application fee Fee (130,000won) Duration Information provided to the applicant upon visitation Attached find the general application form

Published Jan 19, 2022
ESL teachers change of workplace
by Jane
E-2 Visa for ESL teachers (6/7)
ESL teachers change of workplace

If you are currently on an E-2 visa and want to change your workplace after finding a new job. You must report the change of workplace and residency to the immigration office within 15 days. Reservation for visiting can be done at https://www.hikorea.go.kr/resv/ResvIntroR.pt   How to apply (Visitation Only) 1. Target A person who has completed the employment contract and want to change company due to company closure or change of employer  A person who has quit or retired due to personal reasons and has obtained a letter of release from the original employer.   Note: regardless of qualifications, a person who quits or is fired due to personal reasons cannot change a visa WITHOUT a letter of release 2. Procedure Submit a basic ‘change of workplace application form’ and a prescribed document with reasons for the change within 15 days.    Since a change of workplace sticker or seal has to be stamped on your passport, this procedure CANNOT be done online.  Required documents Application form, Passport, Foreigner residency card Employment contract (original and copy)  Business license Letter of release from the previous employer Documents related to the establishment of the facility  Letter of release is exempted for the person who has completed a contract. However, if the change is due to the closure of a company, a document with proof of arrears or wages can replace the letter of release.  If the remaining period of stay is shorter than the new contracts period + 1 month, you have to apply for ‘permission to extend the period of stay. Additional documents might be required for evaluation. Income taxation document Application fee Free  Duration Information provided to the applicant upon visitation Attached find the general application form

Published Jan 19, 2022
ELS teachers extension of stay in Korea
by Jane
E-2 Visa for ESL teachers (5/7)
ELS teachers extension of stay in Korea

Extension of stay in Korea   If the instructor wants to renew a contract with the company, they must apply for ‘permission to extend the period of stay.’ The application must be before the foreigner registration card expiry date. Please keep in mind that the issuance duration is about 2~3 weeks.    How to apply  (Online/Visitation) Extension of stay application can be done online or by visitation. In the case of online  applications, Instructors can apply after signing up as a member in HiKorea.    1) E-Application: https://www.hikorea.go.kr/cvlappl/CvlapplStep1.pt#this ① Process: Apply> Pay service charge> Receive> Processing 2) Reserving an appointment: https://www.hikorea.go.kr/resv/ResvIntroR.pt ① Process: Reserve an appointment >Visit the immigration office or its branch office at the reserved date> Apply> Receive> Process 3) Process time: varies depending on the application method, evaluation necessity, or the number of applications submitted.     Required documents Application form Passport and foreigner residency card Original and copy of employment contract  Documents related to the establishment of the facility  Business registration certificate Academy establishment certificate (for applicable persons) Earned income taxation document Documents with proof of residence (e.g., house contract) Current status of students and syllabus.   Application fee Online: 50,000won Visit: 60,000won Duration Online: 10 days ~ 2 months (approx.) Visit: Information provided to the applicant upon visitation Attached find the general application form

Published Jan 19, 2022
Registration of ESL teachers in Korea
by Jane
E-2 Visa for ESL teachers (4/7)
Registration of ESL teachers in Korea

Registration of ESL teachers in Korea Instructors must register for foreign residency within 90 days of arrival. Failure to do so, the visa  will be automatically canceled. Only through the issuance of residency cards can foreigners have  the right to work and access other conveniences.  A foreigner residency card is required for registration of health insurance, phone number, bank accounts, and other necessities like the internet.    How to apply (Visitation Only) Online visit reservation (HiKorea) https://www.hikorea.go.kr/resv/ResvIntroR.pt visit the immigration offices under their jurisdiction on the reserved date.  Current status of immigration under the jurisdiction   Required documents. Application form (Attachment No.34), Passport, Passport photo (1) Business license  Physical health examination (sealed) Proof of residence (house contract)  Other residence qualification documents Application fee  30,000won (cash only) Duration 2 ~ 3 weeks (approx.) Residency card delivery service.  Instructors can either pick up the residency card at the immigration or use delivery services at a fee. (Currently preferred due to high spread of covid-19)   How to use service Request for delivery service during application. Pay at the atm machine in the office and submit a payment receipt. Delivery fee 4,000 won Duration Within a day after mailing (next day if mailed at later hours) Attacched find the general application form

Published Jan 19, 2022
E-2 Medical check
by Jane
E-2 Visa for ESL teachers (3/7)
E-2 Medical check

E2 Medical Check   Physical health extermination is required for foreign residency registration and registration with the office of education. Therefore, it should be conducted as soon as possible after arrival and completion of the quarantine period.   This examination can only be performed at the Ministry of Justice designated hospital. Any other  hospital results will be rejected by the immigration, and you will be subjected to a re-examination.  Please confirm with the hospital you wish to visit in advance. Please confirm the hospital’s  Submission documents and schedule in advance to avoid any setbacks.    Ministry of Justice designated hospitals 2021 How to get a health check-up Visit any Ministry of Justice designated hospital Request a physical examination for E-2 Visa.   Required documents Passport  3 passport photos  Examination fee 70,000~ 130,000 won (for more than 2 copies additional of 1,000~5,000 won per copy) Duration  3 ~7 days Precautions: 1. Examinations results must include a general physical examination and BPE Test (drug test)  2. check if you need a reservation before visiting.   3. At least 3 copies of the examination results are required. (Immigration office, Office of Education, Employer.)  4. Examination results must be requested and submitted sealed. Unsealed results will be rejected automatically.   5. Other preparations NO food intake at least 8 hours before the examination (recommended just drink water)   Attached find an E-2medical check form

Published Jan 19, 2022
E-2 Visa issuance Process
by Jane
E-2 Visa for ESL teachers (2/7)
E-2 Visa issuance Process

E-2 Visa issuance process   Like any other country in the world, you must obtain a visa to enter and stay in Korea. It is  therefore, Importance to understand the documents and procedures necessary for visa issuance. If  you have all your, prepared; it will take about 1~2months. (Might be longer due to delays caused  by covid-19)   How to apply Visa issuance number  With the documents sent by the applicant, the employer will apply for a visa issuance number at the immigration office in Korea. The applicant will visit the Korean Embassy in their country to complete the visa application.    Required documents ① Resume ② Passport copy  ③ Passport photos (3pieces) ④ Employment contract (3copies) ⑤ Certificate of education background. Choose one of the following (copy of degree certificate, certificate of degree acquisition, and certificate of graduation containing proof of degree acquisition)        *Confirmation of Apostille or consular confirmation for the diplomatic mission abroad.           *In the case of a domestic degree, un-apostilled copies of degree certificates are allowed.         *Exemption for previous publicly verified documents.  ⑥ Apostilled criminal background record. issued within 6 months. (Must include record from across the country)         *Confirmation of Apostille or consular confirmation for the diplomatic mission abroad.         * Must be issued within 6 months.          *Exemption for previous publicly verified documents. (Only if you re-apply within 3 months of departure.            If the date of entry exceeds 3 months, you have to submit a new record.) Names of major national criminal certificates and issuing agencies.  The U.S.A - FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation): identity history summary check/criminal record (FBI-approved channeler, state) must include criminal history across all the states.   *Apostille Agency:  Canada – RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police): a national repository of a criminal record. *Apostille Agency: Korean consulate or embassy England – Home office police: criminal records bureau, disclosure Scotland, access Northern Ireland, ACPO criminal record office: basic disclosure, ACPO criminal records office authentic document.  *Apostille Agency: foreign & commonwealth office (FCO) Australia – AFP (Australia federal police): standard disclosure, national police certificate  *Apostille agency: department of foreign affairs and trade South Africa – (South African police service): clearance certificate *Apostille Agency: department of international relations and cooperation (DIRCO) Ireland – national police of the Republic of Ireland: police certificate *Apostille Agency: department of foreign affairs  New Zealand – Ministry of justice: criminal record *Apostille Agency: department of internal affairs.  ⑦ Self-Health certificate. Example of a self-health certificate Application fee: The domestic fees are covered by the employer Duration:  1~2 months (approx.) Visa issuance eligible countries The United States of America Canada England Ireland Australia New Zealand South Africa   Attached find an E-2 self health statement 

Published Jan 19, 2022
What is an E-2 Visa
by Jane
E-2 Visa for ESL teachers (1/7)
What is an E-2 Visa

What is an E-2 VISA? E-2 visas are issued to foreigners who meet the qualifications set by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea. With an E-2 visa, you can offer foreign language guidance to foreign language academies, elementary schools, educational institutes, affiliated language research centers, broadcasting centers, and corporate language training.    1. Conversation guidance concept This refers to teaching how to communicate with each other at foreign language centers, corporate, and other educational institutes.   Teaching a specific subject, literature, or translation does not qualify as a conversation guidance activity. (e.g., teaching English at an international school is not classified under conversation guidance activity  2. Place of work Foreign language academies, Elementary schools, educational institutes, Affiliated language research centers, Broadcasting Companies, Corporates, and other Organizations. These institutes must have language training permission from the government.  3. Length of stay The maximum length of stay is 2 years + 1month at a time. Qualifications and requirements for native instructors. The following are qualifications for instructors who can offer conversation training guidance.    1.    Foreign language academies. A citizen from a native speaking language who has obtained a bachelor’s degree or has an equal or higher educational background.  In the case of English. A citizen from the U.S.A, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland, and South Africa. Graduates for a Korean university who have obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher are accepted if they graduated from high school or vocational college from a country with the native language.   2.    Ministry of education (middle, elementary and high school)        ① Native English assistant teacher           -A citizen of a native-speaking country who has obtained a bachelor’s degree from the country of origin.           -For English; U.S.A, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland, and South Africa.         ② English assistant teacher under the Korea-India agreement (CEPA)           -A citizen from India who has obtained a bachelor’s degree or has an equal or higher education                           and a teaching certificate. (English major)        ③ Overseas English volunteer scholarship student (TaLK)           -A citizen of a native English-speaking country.          -A person who has completed university for at least 2 years, (in the case of British people 1 year)                         in the country of origin or graduated from a junior college or higher.          -Alternatively, a person who has received formal education in the relevant foreign language                                 (English) and has completed at least 2 years at a domestic university or graduated from a junior college              or higher.   3.    Spouses of professionals and non-English speaking international students Spouses of E-1 ~ E-7 (E-6-2 NOT included) and international students (limited to Master of Science and engineering, Ph.D. or higher) who holds TESOL qualifications and a bachelor’s degree or higher. TESOL is a training course that qualifies teachers from a non-native country to teach in non-English speaking countries.   4. Other qualifications documents Certificate of education background. Choose one of the following (copy of degree certificate, certificate of degree acquisition, and certificate of graduation containing degree acquisition facts) Apostille criminal background record issued within 6 months. (Must include records from across the country) Clean self-health check. See native instructor visa documents.  

Published Jan 19, 2022