Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hous26]

I'm currently teaching in China and someone told me that if I were to apply for an E-2 Visa for Korea that I would have to apply for it at my Korean Consulate in the US. Is this true because that is a wasted plane ticket.

[fl4mers]

As I am in a similar situation (i.e. an American abroad) I can tell you that it IS possible to get your visa without going back to the States, BUT it will cost you (in terms of money and time) AND you need to get a job through EPIK (the government teaching program). You will also possibly need some help from back home in order to get your documents in place.

You will need the following documents:

2 passport photos
1 signed EPIK application form (incl. E-2 Health Statement+personal essay)
Seoul application (if you intend to apply for Seoul)
SMOE Addendum (if you intend to apply for Seoul)
2 reference letters (from academic or professional sources)
Criminal Records Check- (Assuming you have been in China for over 6 months and were only living in the States before then, you will need to get a CRC from China and from the States. Normally the Chinese one would require an Apostille, however, due to the fact that China (apart from Hong Kong and Macau...you're not in either of those two places are you???) is not a part of the Hague Convention, I would suggest getting the US CRC Apostilled instead. You will need to get an FBI check if you want to get it from abroad, which can take up to 13 weeks to process + 2-3 more weeks to get the Apostille by post...or get a relative to help you get a state check and Apostille from your home state)
Copy of passport information page
Notarized copy of your degree with Apostille - (Needs to be Apostilled by the same country it was issued in)
Minimum of 2 SEALED/STAMPED university transcripts (it is very important these are sealed and stamped in the correct fashion - the university stamp needs to be put across the seal of the envelope to show officials they have not been opened and tampered with)
If applicable: Copy of your CELTA/TESOL/DELTA/TEFL certificate
If applicable: Letter proving at least 1 year of full time teaching experience
Signed SMOE sworn declaration (If applying to Seoul)

As you can see, there's a lot of paperwork that goes with the process, so it's good to start preparing early. If you can get all the papers together, however, then there is nothing stopping you from having your visa issued at a Korean consulate in China. That is of course, providing that you do get accepted for a job with EPIK. Your next chance to get into EPIK will be for March intake. Applications will start around September for jobs starting in February/March 2011.

If you were interested in getting a private hagwon job, then you will need to go back to the USA to get your visa sorted. You will then need to have an interview at your closest Korean embassy and you will need to apply for your visa at that embassy as well.

Either way it's quite a complicated process. I would actually suggest going back home to get your papers sorted or starting preparations really really early. Getting your documents from abroad can be a real pain and it's easier to sort things out when you're in the same country as your documents, should things go wrong. BUT it is possible to get things done from abroad...it just takes longer and there's a whole lot of waiting around to be done, especially when you apply for EPIK. Good luck with whatever you choose though!

[ttompatz]

As an American you have the option of doing your consular interview in Guam rather than going all the way back to the continental US.

The paperwork:

SEALED, Official, university transcripts (2-3).
Original degree (or copies with an apostille).
Criminal background check (with apostille).

Resume
scans of your passport information page
scan of your degree
Photo (electronic) - passport style.

This goes to the recruiter.
He will give it to the school.
The school will apply for your visa confirmation number.
They give it back to the recruiter who will then send it to you.

You go to the Korean consulate in Guam.
Apply for your visa and have your consular interview.

You will need $60, an application and a passport type photo.
You will do your consular interview (for the visa application).
I am NOT sure how long the application takes (1-4 days is usual).
You get your passport (with visa in it) back from the consulate.
You fly to Korea and start your job.

If you plan to apply to one of the Government programs (EPIK, GEPIK, etc) then you should go to their website and download the correct application package for the program you are looking at.

.

[hous26]

Thank you both for the information. Wow, Guam? At least that's an option! I have most of documents except I have one sealed transcript not two. Also, I'm talking with someone from GEPIK and they said I have to apply for it at home in the U.S. I have to do more research because IF I have to go back to the U.S. I have a dilemma because I might do a summer camp in Korea and that makes it way too short notice to be flying back and trying to get all the documents by September 1st when most Korean schools start. Anything else and thanks again.

[sallymonster]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe if you're a US citizen and this is your first Korean visa, not only do you have to interview at a consulate in the US but it must be the consulate closest to your home state.

On all subsequent visas, though, you can go to any Korean consulate in the world (outside Korea itself, hence the term "visa run").

[ttompatz]

[fl4mers]

[nstick13]

I came to Korea through EPIK and got my visa in Egypt.

They did have to dig out the handbook, though. It was nice, too, that the embassy happened to be a block from where I lived.

[hous26]

Hehe, yes, Guam is a US territory. I meant that they also told me it had to be the Korean Consulate in the US that corresponds to the state that I live in, which would be Atlanta, GA. I'm not sure anyways.

[ttompatz]

[gogophoto]