Types of Korean Work Visas For Westerners
E2 Visa (The standard ‘English Teaching Visa’ for westerners)
Visa Eligibility
- Must be a native English speaker (English being your first language)
- Have completed either a 3 or 4 year Bachelor’s Degree from a college or university within the following countries: CAN, USA, UK, AUS, NZ, IR, SA.
- Must have an employer who is willing to hire/sponsor your stay.
- Hold a valid passport from one of the following countries: CAN, USA, UK, AUS, NZ, IR, SA
Employers you can work for with an E2 Visa Korea: Private Schools, Public Schools and Language Institutions.
Issuing Authority: The Korean Department of Immigration and the Korean Department of Consular Affairs (Korean Consulates)
E1 Visa (Similar to the E2 Visa)
Visa Eligibility
- Must be a native English speaker (English being your first language).
- Have completed either a 3 or 4 year Bachelor’s Degree from a college or university within the following countries: CAN, USA, UK, AUS, NZ, IR, SA.
- Must have an employer who is willing to hire/sponsor your stay.
- Hold a valid passport from one of the following countries: CAN, USA, UK, AUS, NZ, IR, SA.
Employers you can work for with an E1 Visa Korea: Recognized Korean Universities and Colleges.
Issuing Authority: The Korean Department of Immigration and the Korean Department of Consular Affairs (Korean Consulates)
E5 Visa Korea – Professional Employee
Visa Eligibility
- Varies depending on the organization.
Employers you can work for with an E5 Visa Korea: Public relations firms and corporations.
Issuing Authority: The Korean Department of Immigration and the Korean Department of Consular Affairs (Korean Consulates) OR the Korean Minisitry of Foreign Affairs.
F3 Visa (Direct family member)
Visa Eligibility
- Must be a direct family member or spouse of the person who has obtained a legal working Visa.
- Do not intend to work during their time in Korea.
Employers you can work for with an F3 Visa Korea: None. This Visa is essentially an extended tourist visa.
Issuing Authority: The Korean Department of Immigration and the Korean Department of Consular Affairs (Korean Consulates)
F4 Visa (For Korean Americans, Korean Canadians, Brits, etc)
Visa Eligibility
- Overseas Korean Nationals (Kyopo)
- Koreans who have changed their citizenship.
- Koreans who have immigrated to their current country of citizenship before 1948.
- Koreans who were born overseas with another citizenship.
- Foreign Nationals.
Employers you can work for with an F4 Visa Korea: People with an F4 Visa have the same rights and privileges as Korean citizens, therefore people with this visa can obtain employment within any business or organizations
Issuing Authority: The Korean Department of Immigration and the Korean Department of Consular Affairs (Korean Consulates)
Additionally, there are a number of other visas available for westerners who wish to travel, study, conduct business, etc within South Korea.
- F1 Visa Korea – Korean Family Visa
- B2 Visa Korea – Tourist Visa
- E7 Visa Korea – General Work Visa
- H1 Visa Korea – 12 month working holiday Visa
- Korean Heritage Visa – Korean Descendants