Korean Job Discussion Forums

[simoneshrew]

Hi I recently was told in a job interview (with a private language school) that I wouldn't be able to get the E2 visa since you had to both live in a native English speaking country (list being limited to US, Aus, SAfrica, UK, Ire, Can) for at least 10 years, plus had to graduate from high school there.

My case is a bit confusing since I was born in Hong Kong and went to school there till the end of high school. I then studied in Edinburgh for 4 years. I am British and have a British passport.

Hong Kong was a British colony till 1997 so would that be considered living in the UK?

Does anyone know the exact requirements concerning where you graduate from high school

And also, another potential employer said I would be able to teach in Korea in private schools, and that these are only the requierments for public schools..

[lifeinkorea]

Can't you just say UK to start with? Why do they need to know where you were born? Just show them the UK passport.

[AshleyT]

[simoneshrew]

Doesn't the E2 application form ask anything about where you have lived before including an address and also where you went to school?

I have no idea, but if you have filled one out could you tell me?

Also India and Hong Kong are different, Hong Kong was a colony not just part of the Commonwealth. Anyone born in Hong Kong could get a British passport befpre 1997. India stopped being a colony in about half a century ago I think so ofcourse it wouldn't be considered British.

[jinju necklace]

The only two requirements for an E-2 visa to teach English in Korea are citizenship and a bachelor's degree from one of seven countries (Aus, NZ, US, Can, UK, Ire, and SA).

You have both so you can legally get an E-2 visa. Korean Immigration has no way of finding out how long you've been a resident in UK, and there is no requirement for number of years lived in the above countries. No such paperwork is necessary when applying for E-2 visa. You can get detailed info about visa requirements here: http://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/index.html

The school that interviewed you gave you false information. I speculate the reason for this might be because they only want to hire white teachers.

[Young FRANKenstein]

[simoneshrew]

Thanks Jinju! That is a relief to hear. I thought I would check here before I pursue a job and end up being disappointed last minute.