Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mclaughlin-stonham]

This is the full correct procedure for obtaining the E2 visa for South Korea under the new regulations introduced by the Korean Ministry of Justice on December 15th 2007. Sorry, this is only for UK and Irish applicants but it might be useful as a general guide for other nationalities. It includes the correct order of procedures, costs and tips/advice/pitfalls to avoid. The reason I've done this is because there are too many sources on the web or otherwise with conflicting information regarding the process. This is a comprehensive guideline based on my own experience so far. All the information here has been confirmed by The Korean embassies in London and Dublin as well as the Ministry of Justice in Korea and is accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Facebook users can check out my group page The Korean E2 Visa Application Helpdesk Centre for UK & Irish Applicants on
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8579631831&ref=share
Here you can read latest newspaper reports on E2 visa issues, ask questions, make comments and suggestions.

THE PROCEDURE FOR PROCESSING THE E2 VISA AS OF MARCH 2008

1) OBTAIN CRIMINAL CHECK

Once you're serious about coming to Korea, this is first on the list because of the time it takes to process the criminal check. In the UK this is anything from 10 days to 3 months. The type of check that needs to be done is the "subject access request" The CRB Disclosure can also be used although this is far more expensive, cost �48, and has to be organised on your behalf by a third party, ie. your employer.
The cost of the subject access request is �10 and can be organised at your local police station.
It is best to start looking for work in South Korea once you have sent off the completed form.

In the Republic of Ireland, you will need to visit your nearest Garda station and obtain a "Police Certficate" stamped by the District Superintendent or deputy. There is no fee for the Police Certificate and the search takes aproximately 4 weeks to complete.
Persons residing outside of Ireland can apply for the "Police Certificate" by writing the Garda Office in the district of their former residence. The applicant should furnish her or his full name, date and place of birth, and place and period of all residences in the Republic of Ireland, including full addresses. The request should be accompanied by a birth certificate.

Police Certificates will be issued directly to the applicant from the local Garda Station, not Garda Headquarters and the Guarda Headquarters stamp will no long appear on the Police Certificate. More details:
http://www.infocubic.net/international/ireland.htm


2) OBTAINING LEGALISATION FOR CRIMINAL CHECK

If you have found a suitable teaching position in Korea, the next procedure is to obtain legalisation for the criminal check. Firstly, you have to go to a solictor and have it signed and stamped (cost �5-�30) and then take the criminal check to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, King Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AH to obtain the Apostille legalisation seal, cost �27. The office has a public counter, 0930-1530 Monday to Friday. Applications can be processed on somebody else's behalf and no ID is necessary. Postal applications are also possible but this takes up to 4 weeks. More details: www.fco.gov.uk

For Irish applicants:
The Department of Foreign Affairs,
Consular Section,
Department of Foreign Affairs
Hainault House
69 - 71 St. Stephen�s Green
Dublin 2
Tel. (01) 408 2174

Applicants in Munster area can visit the Cork office:
Consular Services,
Department of Foreign Affairs,
1A South Mall,
Cork
Tel. 021 4944765 / 021 4944766

Cost is 20 euros and all criminal checks must be sealed or stamped by a solicitor before presenting to the consuls.


3) DOWNLOAD AND PRINT OUT SELF MEDICAL CHECK

Contrary to some sources, you do NOT need to provide medical reports from your GP in the UK. You must download and print off the self-check medical form which is available on the Korean Embassy website, www.koreanembassy.org.uk or your director in Korea can email to you. All the information you provide on this from will be compared against the medical inspection results you provide upon arrival in Korea. Fill in the form and add to your legalised criminal check. MAKE PHOTOCOPIES OF EVERYTHING. They will be needed at the embassies later in the procedure.

SO FAR YOU SHOULD HAVE...
1 x criminal check (signed by solicitor and given Apostille seal by Foreign Office)

1 x filled in self medical check

4) OBTAIN RESUME, PHOTOCOPY OF YOUR PASSPORT MAIN PAGE, ORIGINAL DEGREE CERTIFICATE, TWO PASSPORT PHOTOS AND SEALED TRANSCRIPTS

Again contrary to other sources, you only need ONE copy of your sealed transcripts (sealed means stamped by your university on the entrance of the envelope). Make photocopy of your degree certificate. Also obtain an up to date CV (resume). Some sources say that your degree certificate must match the name of your passport. Under British law it is illegal to change any name on a degree certificate. Therefore if you married since graduating and consequently changed your surname, your degree certificate will be accepted for the visa processing.

5) SEND ALL DOCUMENTS TO KOREA

Once received, your director will then take documents for processing at the Ministry of Justice. Once completed, the all important E2 Visa issuance will be issued. Your director will return this with the rest of your documents.

6) OBTAINING THE E2 VISA FROM THE EMBASSY

**IRISH APPLICANTS**
If you're entering Korea on an E2 visa for a second time, it will speed things up if your director can email your E2 visa issuance number before he returns your documents. This is because the Korean Embassy in Dublin will conduct a criminal check in Korea based on your previous stay. This check takes 4 days. They require an email from you with your old E2 visa number, current passport number and old passport number if necessary. Once the Korean criminal check is completed, the E2 visa will be issued. THE INTERVIEW IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THOSE APPLYING TO ENTER KOREA AGAIN ON THE E2 VISA.

Details for the Korean Embassy in Dublin: Please check under UK applicants for correct documents needed for processing.

Embassy of The Republic of Korea in Dublin, Ireland
15 Clyde Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
Ireland

Phone: (+353) 1 660 8800
Fax: (+353) 1 660 8716


**UK APPLICANTS**
Once you have received returned documents, you have to visit the Korean Embassy, 60 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6AJ, Tel. 020-7227-5505, Fax. 020-7227-5504 and present the following documents to obtain the E2 visa.
a) Passport
b) Completed application form with one photograph affixed
(print off from website www.koreanembassy.org.uk)
c) Degree certficate and criminal check (copies are accepted)
d) Consul's checklist for E2 applicant
e) Visa fee, �25 (waived if stay in Korea is less than 6 months)
f) Visa issuance letter

*IF APPLYING FOR THE E2 VISA A SECOND TIME*
You will need your previous E2 visa number (which is in your passport anyway) or your old passport for proof. YOU WILL THEN NOT REQUIRE AN INTERVIEW. Your E2 visa will then be issued. Unlike the Korean Embassy in Dublin, the Korean Embassy in London does not carry out a criminal check in Korea.

*FIRST TIME APPLICANTS*
Once your documents have been handed in, you will be called or emailed to attend an interview. The procedure regarding interviews should be confirmed with the Korean Embassy in London. Your E2 visa will then be issued.

*POSTAL APPLICATIONS*
Postal applications are also possible. Enclose all necessary documents and a postal order for �25 (cheques not accepted). Include a special delivery S.A.E for passport to be returned. Only passport will be returned so do not include originals of documents.
Postal application is possible for Irish applicants.

7) ARRIVAL IN KOREA

Once you arrive in Korea, you will be subject to a full medical inspection including a comprehensive drugs test. Cannabis users should avoid the drug at least 3 months before travelling. More information on the drugs testing issue can be found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_test

Other points to consider

* The Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London and consuls in Ireland will not provide the Apostille seal unless the criminal checks are signed and stamped by a solicitor.

*Allow plenty of time for the acquisition of the subject access request. Some police forces can take up to 3 months to administer this. Check with Garda Stations for length of time in Ireland.

*Check with your embassy for the latest news on the procedure for the E2 visa. It does appear that the embassies operate their own policies in processing the E2 visa with some guidance from the Ministry of Justice in Korea.


Good luck and be patient!

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[ibu]

Most comprehensive and helpful list and I have been scan reading here for around 8 months now... thanks.

[rhinocharge64]

If I wasn't already here I wouldn't go through a costly, drawn out process, especially for a hogwon job. Choose other countries and if Iwas on the move for the first time I would do some serious research on Taiwan. Good info from the op, but my what a ball ache!!

[Beeyee]

[bish]

Thanks for that list, very helpful.

So if you are already in Korea and want to renew do we have to go through all of this by post? Ridiculous!

[mclaughlin-stonham]

Re. Disclosure Scotland.

Yes, these checks are absolutely fine. All police checks provided by UK authorities are acceptable, it simply depends on the depth of check you require. At the time of writing, The Korean authorities are satisfied with a basic search.

Re. Renewing contracts when you are already in Korea.

Unfortunately under the new regulations, every E2 visa holder will have to return to their HOME (wherever their passport is held) country to process the visa. However, the interview is not necessary if the visa applicant can provide previous E2 visa number. To give you an example, my Irish wife who resides in the UK, had to travel to the Korean Embassy in Dublin to arrange visa. It was not possible for her to arrange in London.