Foreign Language Instructor(E-2)
| Scope of Activities | Foreign nationals who meet the qualifications prescribed by the Minister of Justice may provide foreign language conversation instruction at foreign language academies*, educational institutions at the elementary level or above and affiliated language research institutes, broadcasting stations, corporate language training centers, or other equivalent institutions or organizations.
a. Concept of Conversation Instruction ‣ Activities teaching students how to communicate interactively in a foreign language at foreign language academies, educational institutions, corporations, or organizations. ‣ Instruction in specific languages, literature, or interpretation/translation techniques does not fall under conversation instruction activities. b. Activity Locations ‣ Foreign language academies*, educational institutions at elementary level or above and affiliated language research institutes, broadcasting stations, corporate language training centers, or other equivalent institutions or organizations. *Includes academies providing remote teaching using information and communication technologies (as per amendment to the Private School Act). [Other Equivalent Institutions or Organizations] ‣ Lifelong education facilities established under the Lifelong Education Act that meet the standards prescribed by the Minister of Justice ‣ Lifelong education facilities established and operated by the national or local government under other laws (including ordinances) ‣ Vocational skill development training facilities and corporations established under the Vocational Competency Development Act ‣ Construction Industry Education Centers designated as construction technology workforce training agencies under construction technology management laws ‣ Corporations and public institutions with classrooms equipped with language training materials that allow employees to receive conversation instruction |
| Eligible Persons | Instructors at Foreign Language Academies, etc.
‣ Nationals of a country where the target foreign language is spoken as a native language, who have graduated from a university or higher in that country and hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, or possess an equivalent level of education. ‣ Special Case for Graduates of Domestic Universities - If a person graduated from a high school or junior college in the country where the target language is native and obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher from a domestic university, they are recognized as qualified. ‣ Special Case for Nationals of Countries Using the Language as an Official Language For foreign languages other than English, Chinese, or Japanese, nationals of countries using the target language as an official language may be granted conversation instruction qualification if they meet the following requirements: • Hold a recognized teacher qualification for the target language or a bachelor’s degree or higher in a related department of the target language • Wage requirement must be at least 80% of the previous year’s per capita GNI Note: For non-profit institutions such as cultural centers of foreign embassies in Korea, the minimum wage of the current year applies. Persons Recruited and Selected by the Ministry of Education or City/Provincial Superintendents of Education for Work in Elementary, Middle, or High Schools Native English Assistant Teachers (EPIK) ‣ Nationals of English-speaking countries* who have graduated from a university in their home country and hold a bachelor’s degree or higher *English-speaking countries (7 countries): USA, UK, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland English Assistant Teachers under Korea-India CEPA ‣ Indian nationals who have graduated from a university or higher, hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, and possess a teaching certificate in English Government-Invited Overseas English Volunteer Students (TaLK Program) ‣ Nationals of English-speaking countries who: - Have completed at least 2 years of university study in their home country (1 year minimum for UK nationals) or graduated from a junior college or higher - Or have received at least 10 years of formal education in the target language, and completed 2 years or more at a Korean university or graduated from a junior college or higher Native Chinese Assistant Teachers (CPIK) ‣ Chinese nationals who have graduated from a university or higher in China, hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, and possess a “Chinese as a Foreign Language Teacher Certificate” issued by the Chinese National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language English Conversation Instruction Allowed for Non-English-Speaking Spouses of Professional Personnel and International Students (Effective July 3, 2017) ‣ Spouses of professional personnel (E-1 to E-7)* and international students (only those with master’s or doctoral degrees in science/engineering) who are not from English-speaking countries may be qualified if they hold a TESOL* certificate and a bachelor’s degree or higher, or an equivalent level of education. *Excludes those with Hotel/Entertainment (E-6-2) status ** TESOL: Training program for teaching English to non-native English speakers in non-English-speaking countries, granting professional teacher qualification |
| Maximum Period of Stay Granted at One Time | 2 years |
| Activities Outside Status of Stay | 1. Expansion of Exemption from Permission for Activities Outside Status of Stay
Foreigners who wish to receive education at regular educational institutions (elementary, middle, high school, or university) without infringing on their original purpose of stay do not require a separate permission procedure within the period of stay. (Effective June 15, 2009) 2. Conversation Instruction (E-2) Activities Not Subject to Permission (or Notification) for Activities Outside Status of Stay (Integrated Guidelines on Visa Issuance and Stay Management for Conversation Instructors) a. Conversation instruction for colleagues at the workplace Applicable to: Legal residents registered as foreigners with status from Professor (E-1) to Specific Activities (E-7), and from Journalism (D-5) to Trade Management (D-9) Allowed: Foreign language conversation instruction conducted for colleagues within the same workplace b. Conversation instruction as non-profit or volunteer activity Applicable to: Legal residents, including those exempt from foreigner registration Allowed: Conversation instruction at schools, religious or social welfare facilities, or community centers as a volunteer activity without profit or remuneration c. Common Rules - Activities where conversation instruction becomes the main activity or exceeds allowed standards are excluded from voluntary allowance 3. Registered Foreigners (Including A-1, A-2, A-3) Meeting E-2 Conversation Instruction Requirements a. Eligible Persons and Authority Registered foreigners meeting the E-2 conversation instruction requirements (including A-1, A-2, A-3) are eligible. Authority for approval is principally delegated to the Chief of Immigration or equivalent. b. Required Documents and Verification For English Assistant Teachers contracted with city/provincial superintendents: ①Application form (Form No. 34), passport, foreigner registration card, fee ②Certificate of passing ③Employment contract Note: Academic records, criminal background certificates, and medical check-ups are verified autonomously by the relevant education office; submission is exempt. For other conversation instructors: ① Application form (Form No. 34), passport, foreigner registration card, fee ②Original and copy of employment contract ③Copy of business registration certificate ④Academically verified certificate (public verification) - Past documents already verified publicly are exempt Public verification: Apostille (for treaty countries), consular verification at Korean overseas missions (for non-Apostille countries), or other official government verification (e.g., Japan) ➠ Degrees obtained at domestic universities may be submitted as a copy without public verification ⑤ Criminal background check issued within 6 months with public verification - If previously verified and applying within 3 months after leaving Korea, submission is exempt - Presence of a criminal record generally results in denial ⑥ Employment medical check-up* - Must comply with Ministry of Justice designated medical institution standards, including HIV and mandatory drug tests (methamphetamine, cocaine, opium, marijuana) ⑦Copy of academy operation registration certificate (if applicable) ⑧Copy of lifelong education facility registration certificate (if applicable) 4. Activities Outside Status for Presidential English Volunteer Scholarship Students a. Eligible Persons: Selected under Ministry of Education (or city/provincial superintendents) “Presidential English Volunteer Scholarship (Government-Invited Overseas English Volunteers)” - Students with D-2 study status from English-speaking countries who: Completed at least 2 years of university in their home country, or - Received 10+ years of formal education in English and completed 2+ years at a Korean university b. Required Documents: ①Application form (Form No. 34), passport, foreigner registration card, fee exempted ②Acceptance notice for “Presidential English Volunteer Scholarship” (issued by NIIED director or city/provincial superintendent) ③Employment contract ④Copy of business registration certificate 5. Foreign Camp Instructor Activities Outside Status of Stay a. Allowable Criteria: Allowed: Camps registered as lifelong education facilities under the Lifelong Education Act - Even if organized by local authorities (English cultural centers, foreign language experience villages), registration as a lifelong education facility suffices Not Allowed: Camps operated outside existing facilities of academies or using the name of an authorized organization while actually run by an academy (Article 8, Private Academy Establishment and Operation Act) b. Eligible Persons: ①Professors (E-1) with approved E-2 conversation instruction activity ②E-2 holders approved for additional workplace ③Short-term employment (C-4-5, English camp) holders: no separate permission or notification required 6. Employment for Spouses of High-Investment Foreigners and Professional Personnel a. Eligible Persons: - Spouses of advanced science & technology personnel (SCIENCE card), high-tech personnel (GOLD card), and IT personnel (IT card) - Spouses of investors with $500,000 or more investment (including corporations) - Spouses of professional foreign personnel (E-1, E-2, E-3, E-4, E-5, E-6 excluding E-6-2, E-7) b. Permitted Fields: All occupations excluding simple labor (D-3, E-9) c. Permission Period: Until the spouse’s period of stay expires (can be continuously extended) d. Required Documents: Documents attached for each status of stay as per Rule 76 (guarantee of identity omitted) Note: For those wishing to engage in Specific Activities (E-7), follow the E-7 visa issuance recognition guidelines |
| Change or Addition of Workplace | a. Overview
To enhance the utilization of professional personnel and strengthen national competitiveness, conversation instructors are allowed to change or add workplaces by notification only. A designated workplace includes not only the “employer with whom the current employment contract is in effect” but also “locations where the foreigner performs activities corresponding to their status of stay under the employer’s instructions within the scope of the employment contract.” (Reference: Immigration Management Division-5514, Aug. 31, 2010) [Examples of Designated Workplaces] • Native English teachers at B Elementary School under Superintendent A who provide traveling English lessons at C, D, or other schools in the district. • Foreign language conversation instructors from A Academy visiting companies to provide lessons (companies must meet conditions to employ conversation instructors; monthly instruction hours at the company cannot exceed 1/3 of A Academy’s monthly hours). • Other workplaces corresponding to the above purposes. Common Conditions: Activities must fall within the scope of the employment contract and status of stay. No separate employment contract or remuneration should exist between the foreigner and the location (business entity). The work must not be in the form of dispatched labor. b. Eligible Persons and Reporting Procedures Eligible Persons: - Those who continue normal work until the end of the employment contract but change workplaces due to employer closure or other reasons. - Those who were dismissed or resigned due to their own fault but received approval from the original employer to change workplaces. - Those who sign an additional employment contract with another workplace with the consent of their current employer. - Those who teach at another workplace under the instruction of their current employer and receive additional pay for up to 1/3 of their monthly teaching hours. - If a foreigner is teaching under a contract between the current employer and another institution capable of employing E-2 instructors and is paid accordingly, it is considered an effective addition of a third-party workplace, making it subject to reporting. - Companies suspected of hiring excessive personnel relative to classroom size and student numbers will be investigated to prevent illegal or irregular workforce use, and approval will be determined based on findings. - Teaching schedules for each E-2 instructor are reviewed to ensure lessons are conducted as scheduled and that less than 1/3 of monthly hours are conducted externally; violations may result in denial of visa issuance recognition and restrictions on additional employment until resolved. - Foreigners who, without personal fault, must change workplaces due to unavoidable termination of the previous employment contract prior to registration. Note: If the original employer provides a transfer consent letter, one-time approval is allowed. Exclusion from Reporting (Ministry of Justice Notice 2011-510, Oct. 4, 2011, Appendix 8) - Government-invited youth English volunteer scholarship students lacking the qualifications required to work at the new workplace* *Without at least a bachelor’s degree, they cannot meet conversation instructor requirements at foreign language academies, making workplace change impossible. - Persons who meet the qualifications but were dismissed or resigned due to their own fault and did not receive transfer or additional workplace approval from the original employer. Reporting Procedures: - Conversation instructors who change or add workplaces must submit the “Workplace Change/Addition Notification Form (Appendix 9)” along with the required attachments to the competent immigration office within 15 days of the event. Submission by a representative is allowed. - In principle, reporting must be done in person, as a sticker or endorsement of the workplace change/addition must be affixed to the passport. Required Attachments: - Application form (Form No. 34), passport, foreigner registration card, employment contract, business registration certificate, consent from the original workplace*, and relevant facility registration documents. Note: The consent letter from the original employer can be omitted if the foreigner worked until the contract expiration or a mutually agreed date. If the original workplace is closed or wages are unpaid, supporting documents or a statement may be submitted instead. ※If the remaining period of stay is shorter than the new employment contract period plus one month, the foreigner must obtain an extension of stay, and additional documents required for the extension review must be submitted. |
| Granting of Status of Stay | Not applicable |
| Permission for Change of Status of Stay | A. Eligible Applicants and Authority
Registered foreigners (including A-1, A-2, A-3) and those recruited as foreign English assistant teachers at elementary and secondary schools under the invitation of the municipal/provincial education superintendent are eligible for status change permission to E-2, regardless of their current status of stay. The authority to grant permission is delegated to the Commissioner, etc. B. Required Documents - Publicly verified certificates of education and criminal record, medical examination for employment, employment contract, establishment-related documents of the organization, and other evidence necessary for review. ‣ If previously submitted publicly verified certificates of education, criminal record, and medical examination have been confirmed, and the foreigner continues to stay under a change of status such as D-10 (job-seeking), submission of these documents is exempted. ‣ English assistant teachers contracted by the municipal/provincial education superintendent for elementary or secondary schools need only submit the “employment contract” and the “acceptance certificate” of native English assistant teacher.* * Certificates of education, criminal record, and medical examination are verified by the competent education office. ※ Medical examination must be submitted sealed in an envelope (do not open). ‣ If the salary in the employment contract falls below the minimum wage for the relevant year, permission for status change will generally be withheld. 1. Foreign English teachers invited by the Ministry of Education (municipal/provincial education superintendent) for lectures to elementary, middle, and high school students Eligible for E-2 status change regardless of current status. ①Required Documents: Application form (Form No. 34), passport and foreign registration card (if applicable), one standard-size photo, and fee. ②Acceptance notification issued by the municipal/provincial education superintendent or the National Institute for International Education. ③Original and copy of employment contract. ④Copy of school business registration certificate (or unique number certificate). Note: For English assistant teachers contracted by municipal/provincial education superintendents, submission of education and employment history certificates and medical examination is exempt. If the foreigner has previously submitted publicly verified certificates during a prior stay as a conversation instructor and is currently staying under D-10 or similar, these three documents are also exempted. 2. Registered foreigners (including A-1, A-2, A-3) with E-2 conversation instructor qualifications A. Eligible Applicants and Authority Registered foreigners with E-2 conversation instructor qualifications (A-1, A-2, A-3 included) are eligible, and authority to grant permission is delegated to the Commissioner, etc. B. Required Documents and Verification ①Application form (Form No. 34), passport and foreign registration card, one standard-size photo, and fee. ②Original and copy of employment contract. ③Copy of business registration certificate. ④Publicly verified educational certificate* - Submission is exempt if publicly verified educational documents have been submitted previously. *Apostille verification (for countries party to the convention) or consular verification by a Korean diplomatic mission abroad (for non-party countries) or verification by the relevant government agency (e.g., Japan). ➠If the degree was obtained at a domestic university, a copy without public verification is acceptable. ⑤Publicly verified criminal record certificate issued within 6 months of application. - Exempt if a previously publicly verified certificate was submitted and the applicant stayed abroad for less than 3 months. If the overseas stay exceeds 3 months, a new submission is required upon registration. *Apostille verification (for countries party to the convention) or consular verification by a Korean diplomatic mission abroad (for non-party countries) or consular verification by the foreigner's domestic mission (for domestic residents). ⑥Applicants with a criminal record are generally not permitted. - Third-country publicly verified criminal record certificate (effective Jan. 1, 2020) – required if degree obtained outside the applicant’s home country. - Content and standards follow the domestic criminal record regulations. ⑦Employment medical examination* (must be sealed; do not open) *Exempted for English assistant teachers (EPIK, CPIK, TaLK) contracted by municipal/provincial education superintendents, along with education and criminal record certificates. Previously submitted publicly verified documents for prior stay as conversation instructors also exempt submission of these documents. 3. Change of Status to Conversation Instructor (E-2) from Student (D-2) or Job-Seeker (D-10) A. Eligibility Requirements (All of the following 3 conditions must be met) ①Must hold a Job-Seeker (D-10) or Student (D-2) status and be legally staying in Korea. ②The field of intended employment must correspond to one of the following status types: Professor (E-1), Conversation Instructor (E-2), Research (E-3), Technical Guidance (E-4), Professional Occupation (E-5), Arts Performance (E-6), or Specific Activity (E-7), and the applicant must meet the qualification requirements for that field. ③Must have an employment contract with the representative of the intended institution or organization. Note: Student (D-2) status holders who are prospective graduates meeting the requirements to change to Job-Seeker (D-10) are eligible. However, if the applicant has already obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher from a university in their home country or a third country and meets the necessary work experience requirements, a status change is allowed even while still enrolled. B. Required Documents ①Application form (Form No. 34), passport, foreign registration card, and fee. ②Employment contract. ③Degree certificate or proof of work experience. ④Establishment-related documents of the employing institution (business registration certificate, academy establishment certificate, corporate registration certificate, etc.). ⑤Criminal record certificate (from home country and third country, if applicable). ⑥Employment medical examination (must be submitted sealed in an envelope; do not open). 3. Change of Long-Term Stay Status for German Nationals Entering under Visa Waiver (B-1) A. Eligible Statuses: All long-term stay statuses except Technical Training (D-3), Non-Professional Employment (E-9), and Tourist Employment (H-1). B. Maximum Duration: Up to the maximum stay period allowed for the particular status type, granted per instance. ➠ Eligible only for those holding Conversation Instructor (E-2) qualifications. |
| Permission to Extend Period of Stay | 1. Required Documents
①Application form (Form No. 34), passport, and foreign registration card; fee. ②Original and copy of employment contract. ③Copy of business registration certificate. ④Copy of academy establishment and operation registration certificate (if applicable). ⑤For employment at lifelong education facilities or corporate entities: a comprehensive review using documents such as student enrollment status, lecture schedules, and wage withholding statements. ⑥For existing residents requiring supplementation of criminal record certificates or academic verification documents: submission of the relevant documents is necessary. ⑦Certificate of income amount. If income is reported as business income rather than earned income, adjustments must be requested from the employer and the foreign national. ⑧Proof of residence (rental agreement, accommodation confirmation, notification of impending stay expiration, utility bills, dormitory payment receipts, etc.). ⑨ Lecture timetable. Note: Native English instructors invited by the Ministry of Education or city/provincial offices do not need to submit: ① criminal record certificate, ② academic verification, ③ employment medical examination documents. 4. Special Period of Stay English Assistant Teachers under the Korea-India CEPA Agreement: Employment period – 1 year Government-Invited English Volunteer Scholarship Students (TaLK) and Chinese Assistant Teachers (CPIK): Employment period – up to 2 years |
| Re-entry Permit | 1. Implementation of the Re-entry Permit Exemption System (Revised Enforcement Rules as of December 1, 2010)
- Foreign nationals who have completed registration are exempt from obtaining a re-entry permit if they intend to re-enter within one year from the date of departure. - If less than one year remains on their period of stay, they are exempt from a re-entry permit within the remaining stay period. Note: Persons subject to entry restrictions or visa issuance restrictions must visit the competent immigration office (branch or field office) to obtain a re-entry permit. 2. Multiple Re-entry Permit (Restrictions apply to nationals of Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Libya; however, marriage immigrants (F-6), students (D-2), and general trainees (D-4) from these countries are allowed.) - For re-entry exceeding one year but within two years after departure, within the period of stay. - Required documents: Application form (Form No. 34), original passport, foreign registration card, fee. |
| Foreign Registration | 1. Documents Required for Foreign Registration
①Application form (Form No. 34), original passport, one standard-sized photograph, fee ②Business registration certificate under the Value-Added Tax Act ③Employment physical examination certificate (must be submitted sealed in an envelope; cannot be opened) - Must be issued by a medical institution designated for employment physical examinations by the Minister of Justice, according to Ministry of Justice Notification No. 2011-23 (Jan. 27, 2011, Attachment 6) * Exception: Native English assistant teachers hired by city/provincial superintendents of education and government-invited overseas English volunteer scholarship students are exempt from submission (documents are submitted to the competent education authority for self-verification). ④Proof of residence 2. Notification of Changes in Foreign Registration Information a. Items to report: Name, gender, date of birth, nationality, passport number, date of issue, and validity period b. Reporting deadline: Within 15 days from the date of change c. Required documents: ①Application form (Form No. 34), passport, foreign registration card (no fee) ②Supporting documents related to the change |
