각종 비자에서 E비자로 변경하기] How to change from various visas to an E visa
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Guide to Changing to an E-2 Visa (Teaching English)
To change your visa to an E-2 visa, you must first book an appointment on HiKorea and then visit the local immigration office with jurisdiction over your address to apply for a change of status.
Important. Remember this.
The immigration office will no longer accept walk-in applications. People with appointments are the top priority, and even if you are in a hurry, they will not accept your documents. There are no exceptions to this rule, whether you are applying from a D-visa or applying for an ARC card for the first time in Korea.
1. Sign an Employment Contract
The E-2 visa is issued for the purpose of teaching English at an educational institution. Therefore, to switch to an E-2 visa, you must sign an employment contract with an educational institution. Appointments in major cities like Seoul and Busan are difficult to book, so it is important to find an employer 2-3 months in advance.
2. Prepare Documents
Required Basic Documents for the Teacher: Passport (with more than 14 months of validity), original and copy of Alien Registration Card (ARC), Integrated Application Form, one recent passport-sized photo, original and copy of employment contract.
Documents from the Institution: Copy of business registration certificate, Native Speaker Utilisation Plan, Native Speaker's teaching timetable, Academy/School status report, Academy establishment and operation certificate, Native Speaker's work status report, etc.
Individual Documents: Apostilled degree certificate, apostilled criminal record check. E-2 visa medical check-up results from a Ministry of Justice-designated hospital (including HIV and drug tests), copy of the teacher’s accommodation lease agreement or confirmation of residence/accommodation from the landlord (contract holder), application fee, etc.
3. Apply for Change of Status
Booking: Book an appointment at least 1-2 months in advance via the HiKorea website (www.hikorea.go.kr).
Visit: On the booked date and time, visit the immigration office with jurisdiction over your educational institution and home address to submit your documents. (The address of your residence takes precedence).
4. Processing Time
It may take approximately 2-4 weeks to process your application and issue your Alien Registration Card. Therefore, it is advisable for the teacher to complete the application process at least two weeks before their start date.
The total fee is ₩130,000, which includes ₩100,000 for the change of status and ₩30,000 for the reissuance of the Alien Registration Card.
Payment Method: The fee can be paid by purchasing revenue stamps sold at the sales office within the immigration office.
Additional fee for courier service: An extra fee of ₩5,000 will be charged if you opt for courier service.
* All procedures, documents, or fees are subject to change or addition. It is crucial to thoroughly prepare all documents to avoid having your application rejected on-site due to missing paperwork.
* When you visit the office, be sure to request and secure a copy of your apostilled documents.
Important Notice Regarding Illegal Employment
It is strictly illegal to begin work before a valid visa is issued. You are only legally permitted to work after receiving your E-2 visa.
The process for registration and card issuance takes a minimum of 2-4 weeks. Therefore, even for a teacher already in Korea who does not have a working visa or holds a job-seeking visa, the employer must ensure there is enough time to complete the process. Employers should be fully aware of this before hiring.
Exceptions (For D-10 Visa Holders)
D-10 visa holders who wish to work as an intern must go through the «Foreign Intern Notification» procedure. If they meet the requirements for an E-2 visa, they must apply for «Permission for Change of Status of Stay».
Internship activities on a D-10 visa must be for a minimum of one month; a period of 2-3 weeks is not possible. D-10 visa holders can participate in internships for up to one year before employment, with a maximum of six months at a single company.
Internship Reporting Obligation
D-10 visa holders working as interns must report the commencement of their training to the relevant immigration office. Working without this report is considered illegal employment and can result in penalties, including fines, and may negatively impact future visa changes.
Required Documents and Reporting Method
Documents: Alien registration details change report, training/internship contract, training institution's registration certificate (business registration, etc.), list of institutional employment insurance subscribers, and other documents deemed necessary for the training (as requested by the immigration officer).
Internship Report: D-10 visa holders who begin an internship must report it within 15 days from the start date.
Reporting Method: You can book an appointment on the «HiKorea» website and visit the immigration office, or you can report via fax (1577-1346).
This process is complex, so it is wisest to prepare for employment only after securing sufficient time to apply for an E-2 visa. If you are residing in Korea without an E-2 visa, you should seek employment that begins at least 1~2 months later.