Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Busan_Mike]

Hello,

I wanted to start a thread concerning the process for renewing your E-2 visa, specifically if you are renewing your contract at a public school. Also as it relates to being an American citizen. (I'm also not looking to change schools. I think things would be the same if you did want to change schools but stay in the EPIK system. Please verify yourself)

I have been teaching at a public school in Busan (since Feb 2010) and have contacted EPIK and the Busan immigration office regarding documents. I can only attest to what I found out as it relates to teaching in Busan. I'd venture that it would be the same all over Korea (public school renewals) but it wouldn't be wise to assume anything. I imagine more than a few foreign teachers will be disappointed to find that they need new documents with little to no time left to acquire them. So start now!

I'd suggest that everyone get in touch with your local immigration office and if you work with EPIK send an email to them just to be sure ([email protected]).

A list of immigration offices in Korea can be found here: http://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/GvrnSrchPageR_en.pt?userId=&userPasswd=&newscttSeq=&bbsGbCd=&bbsSeq=&ntccttSeq=&cvlapplCd=&userID=&langCd=&pollSeq=&locale=en

Here are the documents I was told one(Americans) would need to renew his or her contract.

FBI background check, apostilled
New contract from your school
School's license and any other relevant documents. (your school will provide this, they know what to bring)
Medical check
a fee, 30,000 KRW I believe.

And really thats it.

Notice no diploma apostilled is necessary. Why is this?

It isn't necessary because you turned one in before you came, at least I did and I'd imagine everyone else who was applying for EPIK did as well. If for some reason you didn't (I don't see how that's possible) you will have to provide one. I believe that the diploma stays on record for some time. I've seen 10 yrs. quoted on this site but can't attest to it personally.

Regarding diploma apostilling I've read some posts on this site that mention that the diploma must be apostilled in the state you graduated in. I have never seen this on a official Korean website and don't know where it came from. If I am mistaken someone please provide a relevant link. Moreover I graduated from a school out of state and apostilled my diploma in my state of residence(i.e. not the state I graduated in, and it was fine. circa FEB 2010) So I don't know, anyone here anything different?

If anyone would like to amend or add anything please feel free. I have been just as concerned as I'm sure many of you are to do everything correctly. I want to teach another year but don't want to be denied for lack of paperwork.

Also please remember I'm an American EPIK teacher looking to renew my contract. I also do not want to change schools. This is the profile I'm researching.

[eslville]

Thanks for the info. I think getting the criminal check will be the toughest part of this all. Hopefully it doesn't take too long.

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