Korean Job Discussion Forums

[macattack123]

Please bump this to another thread if there is one regarding the UK visas, my search isn't working so well so couldn't find a specific topic. Thanks and sorry

As of September 2011, these are the steps for obtaining a UK e2 working visa

This is my second time applying for a visa and if the first time was confusing, this time was worse. There is so much information floating around about visa fees and how to get documents certified. I just thought I'd write a simple how to incase it in any way helps others out, especially us Brits who usually have to wade through the US/Canadian info first. Bare in mind, this is how I did the process, there may be other ways too. Hope it helps?

Assuming you have or are looking for a job, this is how to go about it.


What you will need to get first

*Criminal record check
*University degree
*University transcripts

Now even if you don't have a job, you MUST get these documents asap. A good 2/3 months before you hope to start work. This way it'll be a breeze. The record check steps are below but with the degree and transcripts, it's really easy. You no longer actually need transcripts but I've heard some Korean schools still require them. They're free and all you have to do is call your Uni and ask for x3 sealed and stamped transcripts. Even if you don't need them, they're free. With your degree, you just need it to hand and in a nice state. That's it.

STEP 1 - How to get documents

*Criminal record check

Option 1 - Go to Disclosure Scotland

http://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk/apply-online/

Here you can apply for your criminal check. Now you only need a BASIC disclosure, no need to get the enhanced. The cost should be about �25 and will take between 10-14 days usually. Sometimes it might be longer but don't worry.

Option 2 - Get a subject access form. To do this you need to pop in to your local police station and they'll give you all the info you need. Now, this option is cheaper, about �10 BUT it will take up to 40 days to get your check through.

NOTE: The basic check from Disclosure scotland is a simple check, it doesn't show anything except arrests. Be warned if you get a subject access check, it shows up everything from arrests to simple warnings. So if you got drunk when you were 17 and got flung in the cells for the night, do not get the access form!!!

STEP 2 - What to to do next

Once you have your nice clean record check, your degree and your transcripts you're ready to go.

First of all, put your transcripts somewhere safe as you won't be needing them now, if at all

It's now time to get your check and degree notarised. Now, you need to find a local lawyer who is a registered notary republic. In simple terms, you call up a few local lawyers and ask them if they have a notary stamp and if they can stamp your stuff. It's really simple however, if the lawyer doesn't do this right then it could all go wrong.

1. Take your record check and degree to the lawyers
2. Get your lawyer to make a photocopy of your degree, only your degree. Immigration will only accept the original record check and a photocopy of your degree. Please make sure you get the copy notarised. DO NOT get your original degree stamped and then photocopy it!
3. Get him/her to clearly, in neat writing, state their name, practice name and address. They also have to date your document and as I found out recently, they now have to write something like -

Record check - I (name) certify that this document is a true and original document

Degree - I (name) certify that this is a true photocopy of the original document.

Once they have written it all and have their signature, they HAVE to stamp your documents.

As long as there's a stamp, a signature and the info, you're done.

You should now have a notarised criminal record check, a notarised copy of your degree and some transcripts.

NOTE: Update: I've learnt in this thread that if you got an access form, you may not need your notary stamp after all. SO, that's good news. To double check at the time of your application for your visa, call/email and find out. Here's some contacts below for you.

FCO apostille office

The contact details are as follows:
Phone: 03700 00 22 44 (Monday to Friday 12:00-16:00)
Email: [email protected]

Consulate Visa office (Good luck getting any useful info)

60 BUCKINGHAM GATE, LONDON. SW1E 6AJ
(OPENING HOURS: 10AM-12PM, MON-FRI)
TEL: 02072275506
FAX: 02072275504
EMAIL: [email protected]

STEP 3 - Getting you apostille

An apostille is a fancy word for 'summit real', this apostille stamp is needed if you want your visa. You will have to send your degree and record check to Milton Keynes. The FCO office used to have a walk in office but now they only do things via post. So annoying! It's easy but not cheap. Follow the step by step on their website. The current processing time is 24-48 hours.

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/what-we-do/services-we-deliver/legal-services/Legalisation/030-Links/010-How-to-apply/

STEP 4 - Sending everything to Korea

Once you get your documents back and they are all stamped, you're almost done. If you have a job then you need to send your documents, via tracked mail, to your recruiter or employer. This is what should be inside the envelope:

*Criminal check with apostille
*Copy of degree with apostille
*Transcripts (if wanted)
*Self health check form

http://www.gone2korea.com/document-downloads/Health-Statement.pdf

*Photocopy of the information page of your passport
*Signed contract
*Passport pictures (depends on how many the recruiter asks for)
*Signed contract

NOTE: Before sending it all, maybe make a photocopy of your degree and record check, front and back, just so you have it incase anything happens.

STEP 5 - Wait for your number

Once your documents are in Korea, it will be roughly between 7-10 working days until immigration give you your number. This number is basically your welcome sign.

STEP 6 - Sending your documents to London

Now it's almost over. You now have to send your passport to London so that you can get the stamp and go. You need to send your things in a special delivery envelope and REMEMBER to put a return envelope inside. Otherwise the consulate will not be returning your passport to you.

Inside you will need:

*Passport
*Application form with passport photo (maybe add in another one too)

http://www.gone2korea.com/document-downloads/Application-For-Visa-Britain.pdf

*Check list

http://www.gone2korea.com/document-downloads/E2-Visa-Consulate-Questionaire.pdf

*Money or postal order. The fee used to be �33 but now it's �80. Shocking amount but there you have it.

Send your passport down and it takes 5 working days. So, if your passport arrives Monday, you pick it up the following Monday morning. Sometimes you may be able to pick it up on the Friday but, better to leave it till the following week.




Then that's it. You'll have your new visa and it's off to K-town!!!

[Squire]

This is a great reference for E2 applicants, but the step 3 may be wrong. I can't remember which criminal check I did but it was the one that cost �10 and I sent it to a local(ish) police station and it didn't need to be legalized/appostilled. I only did that with my degree certificate. This was late 2010, so pretty recent

[macattack123]

Oh, right, eem....

I only know of the two options. I did the Disclosure twice, it was real easy and then got it notarised and then sent off for the apostille. All was easy.

A friend of mine hopped on in to the local police shop and asked about getting her record check. They told her it would take up to 40 days and was called an access. She got it after 3 weeks but as a youth she got in to some trouble. No arrests but a few warnings and there they were.

That's all the info I know. I'm sure there are loads of other ways to do it but I personally would always go for disclosure scotland.

Thanks for the heads up

[morrisonhotel]

[macattack123]

It's so hard to know what works and what doesn't. You call the recruiter who tells you one thing, the consulate who tell you a whole bunch of things and then then internet that just confuses everyone.

I guess that's why I wrote this, knowing that this step by step has worked for me and others I know, means others can follow.

If only they added all this info on the korean immigration or embassy sites!!

[Weetabix TEFL Certified]

[Weetabix TEFL Certified]

If anyone knows anything about the above it would be most helpful.

Getting my check notarised would be a major inconvenience; costly too.


Thanks!

[Setaro]

You don't need to pay the ridiculous sums demanded by Notaries, just get a solicitor to certify the document as genuine. The FCO will accept it (as long as the solicitor is a registered one) and give the apostille.

Confusion arises because 'Notary' is a the American word for someone who has the legal authority to certify documents as genuine. which is what out solicitors can do.

Solicitors shouldn't charge more than around 5 pound per doc.

[Weetabix TEFL Certified]

[Setaro]

Well I imagine it has to be UK registered solicitors. Isn't there anyone in the UK who could take your CRC/degree copy to a solicitor for you?

[Weetabix TEFL Certified]

[impsmith]

[impsmith]

great post, btw - worth a sticky.

[missty]

Thanks for the information. I need to get an apostille for something, and was worried it would take forever.

With a processing time of 24-48 hours, that sounds pretty good to me! There should definitely be a sticky on this.

[nachoinkorea]

Hi everyone,

FYI, if you are already in Korea then you do not need to get your CBC apostilled. You can simply take it to your embassy and sign a sworn affidavit in front of a consular officer and then they will stamp it. Immigration will normally accept this (the only times they won't is if you are dealing with an Immigration office out in the countryside and they don't know all the ways to authenticate a document, but if you are in Seoul it should be no problem).

Remember 2 things:
1. You can only do this for background checks.
2. For the your diplomas, you must get them apostilled in your home country. Remember, the easiest way is to make 2 photocopies of your original diploma, get the photocopies notarized (probably have to show them the original), then get the notarized photocopies apostilled. Do not listen to anyone who tells you that you only need 1 photocopied apostilled diploma, you need 2. One copy stays with Immigration and the other goes to the Board of Education. Embassies will not stamp academic documents.
3. Do not go to your embassy and tell them you need an "apostille" or a "notarized" background check, this will just confuse them and they will tell you that they do not provide these services. Tell them you need to sign an affidavit for your document.

Again, all 7 countries for E-2 visa holders can do this if you are already in Korea. You don't have to get your CBCs apostilled in your home countries, just take them to your embassy and that's it.

Note: we had a case a few months ago where the New Zealand Embassy wouldn't accept these documents, even though it clearly said on their website that they would. I think the Korean person working there that day simply had no idea what she was talking about.