So you want to teach...
 The Visa Run
So you've decided to work in Korea. You've outweighed the pros and cons and have decided to sign that contract and stay for a year.
If you had plenty of time and/or was well informed by your employer, you would have applied for your E-2 visa at your country of origin.
What is the E2 Visa?!
To teach English in South Korea, you must obtain E2 visa. Here is some information on the visas.
- B2 visa (Tourist visa)
- Australians can stay in Korea for 90 days on tourist visa. Others are allowed to stay in Korea for 30 days. It is just for short-term or transit. You are not allowed to work as tourist visa in Korea by Korean Law.
- E2 visa (Teaching visa)
- To qualify for the E2 visa as an ESL instructor's visa, you need to fulfill the following criteria:
- Native English speaker
- Have a Bachelors degree (a TESOL/CELTA certificate is not essential).
- Nationality (Australian, New Zealander, Canadian, UK, Irish, USA, South Africa)
For a more detailed and accurate information regarding other types of Visa please check out your Country's Embassy Site.
- Please Note:
- l, 2 or 3 years college graduates are not allowed to get E2 visa, even though you have a TESOL certificate or Diploma in teaching. Teachers must have a Bachelor degree in any field.
Going to Japan to get a visa
In some cases...the truth...most of the time, when school needs a teacher urgently (which is always the case!), then you can go to Korea on a tourist visa and when your visa issuance is ready then you can go to Japan to get the E2 visa.
Why Japan? Because it's the closest neighbouring country. The school will inform you how to get the E2 visa in Japan. If not, you're lucky to get to this site!!!
Your school should pay for most expenses to and in Japan.
Most people go to Osaka or Fukuoka Embassy because they issue it instantly. Osaka only takes one day. Fukuoka usually overnight.
  
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