A brief guide to getting an E2 Visa

You wanna get in? Follow this guide.

The E2 Visa

I am now in the process of getting my E2 visa to begin working in South Korea. While it's fresh in my mind I thought it would be good to create a guide for foreigners looking to work here as well. Here is a list of what you will (probably) need as well as how I went about getting it. I'm not saying this is the only or best way to do it, but it worked for me. The following guide is specific to obtaining a visa in the US, but other countries have similar processes.

What you should have:

1. A job (with a contract)
2. A four-year degree
3. A set of official transcripts
4. A state level apostille of your degree
5. A federal (some people get state) criminal background check
6. A federal (some people get state) level apostille of your background check
7. Passport sized headshots
8. A copy of your passport
9. A medical self-check

How to get what you'll need:

1. A job: This is a larger topic that could be discussed at length, but this post is specifically about the E2 visa, so I'll be brief. The easiest way I know of getting a job is to contact a recruiter. Schools pay recruiters to put them in contact with potential teachers. The benefit of this is that it is very easy to find a job. The downside is that recruiters get paid based on how many teachers they place, meaning that you may find yourself with a shady school. But there are a lot of good schools and recruiters ready to help you find them. Once you accept a job, the school will provide you with a contract. Because of all the paperwork, keeping a couple copies can be very handy.
2. A four-year degree: A BA is required for an E2 visa. It doesn't matter what your area of study was, but a major in Education, English or Linguistics is preferred. No degree? The TaLK Program will accept applicants who only have some university classes under their belts. Their visa, called an E2-2, is almost exactly the same as the normal E2 but without this requirement.
3. A set of official transcripts: Here is something that I haven't needed myself, yet I have heard about other people needing to produce them. Once you finish with that degree (way to go you) go to the appropriate administration building and request an official transcript. Since you are leaving the country it's probably best to request at least two copies. Don't be a dufus and open the envelope, it nulls the transcript. I repeat: DO NOT OPEN THE ENVELOPE.
4. A state-level apostille of your degree: The school will want to see your degree, but being reasonably proud of your bright shiny piece of paper you hesitate to send it off to unknown persons in a far away country (while they hesitate to believe that it's real). Instead you need to have your degree apostilled.
   
   To do this you must first take your degree to a notary. A notary will make a copy of your degree and 'notarize' it. That means that it is an official copy.
   
   Next you will need to get your notarized copy apostilled. An apostille is essentially a notary for a notary (checking to make sure that the notary is in fact an official notary). Take or mail the notarized copy of your degree to the Office of the Secretary of the State. This will be in the state capital, though some states may have branches in other cities. Check your local listings for locations and fees.
   
   Note: Have your degree apostilled in the same state in which it was notarized.

A federal criminal background check (CBC): I have never been more frustrated with bureaucracy than I was when trying to obtain my CBC. Complete the forms found on the FBI website, send them off to Washington and friends, and then wait.

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/criminal-history-summary-checks/submitting-a-criminal-history-summary-request-to-the-fbi

NB:

1. Plan on this step taking at least 10 weeks.
2. Pay with cashiers checks. Something was wrong with the credit card form I submitted, and correcting it just took more time. Nobody has problems with cashiers checks.
3. Have your fingerprints taken by a professional. (Ask your notary if they can do it for you.)
4. Send a note asking the FBI to include the seal you will need to apostille the background check.
5. Notice the bold font and read number 4 again.

A federal-level apostille for your criminal background check: So three months later your CBC finally (finally!) comes in the mail and you are relieved that the ticket you got for nude jaywalking didn't turn up on your federal record. Don't celebrate just yet. That clean record of yours is going right back into the mailbox to get a federal-level apostille. You can look at this website for more information:

http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/english/legal-considerations/judicial/authentication-of-documents/requesting-authentication-services.html

A brief summary of what you need:

1. A DS-4194 form
2. The original copy of the document you want apostilled (no notarized copy here)
3. A check for 8 dollars
4. A self-addressed envelope

Plan on this taking another 3 weeks or so.

Passport head shots: I was asked for two head shots, but I've heard that some people needed 4. Go somewhere that issues passports (ask the notary) and just get a handful. They'll come in handy when you get to South Korea for ID cards and visas to other countries.

A copy of your passport: A simple black and white xerox is fine. Again, get a few for good measure.

A medical self-check: Coming from a state where cannabis is legal? That's okay, you don't do that sort of thing anyways. ;)

You will be tested for drugs. A cannabis habit and AIDS are just about the worst things you can have in South Korea and costs a ticket straight back home. Heavy drinking however is highly encouraged. So put down that bong or $10 hooker and pick a bottle of soju. Time to find yourself a new vice.

Final note: I found this website to be very helpful when sorting though my visa process:

http://marshalljonesjr.com/paperwork-for-south-korea-7-things-youll-need-to-teach-english/

Nick Williams

Nick is new to Korea. He's inspired by the writings of Emerson, wants to experience zero gravity and hopes to find the truth that is "out there". He loves Korean bath houses and side dishes, and enjoys playing music while doing yoga and reading sci-fi. His lucky numbers are 18, 31, 5 and 11. Read more about our staff writers.