1. Eligible Persons and Scope of Activities

Foreign nationals who meet the eligibility requirements prescribed by the Minister of Justice, and who teach foreign language conversation at foreign language academies*, educational institutions of elementary school or higher and their affiliated language research institutes, broadcasting stations and companies' affiliated language training centers, and other equivalent institutions or organizations. * Includes school curriculum instruction academies using remote teaching methods utilizing information and communication technology, etc. (Amendment to the Private Tutoring Schools Act)

2. Maximum Stay Period Granted at Once

2 years

3. Activities Other Than Those Permitted by Visa Status

Expansion of Scope of Exemption from Permission for Activities Outside the Scope of Visa Status

When seeking to receive education at regular educational institutions (elementary, middle, high schools, and universities) within the scope of the permitted stay period, without infringing upon the original purpose of stay, separate permission procedures are not required (Effective June 15, 2009).

Conversational Instructor (E-2) Activities Not Subject to Permission (or Reporting) for Activities Outside the Scope of Visa Status

(Integrated Guidelines on Visa Issuance and Stay Management for Conversational Instructors)

• A. Conversational instruction activities targeting fellow employees within the workplace

  Applicable Subjects
  Legal residents who have completed foreign registration with visa statuses from Professor (E-1) to Other Activities (E-7), and from Journalist (D-5) to Trade Management (D-9).

  Permitted Criteria
  Foreign language conversational instruction activities targeting fellow employees within the workplace of affiliation.

• B. Conversational instruction activities as social service, not for profit or commercial purposes

  Applicable Subjects
  Legal residents who have completed foreign registration (including those exempt from registration).

  Permitted Criteria
  Conversational instruction activities as social service, not for profit or commercial purposes, at social welfare facilities such as schools, religious institutions, community centers, etc.

• C. Common Provisions

  Conversational instruction activities that become the primary activity or deviate from the permitted criteria are excluded from self-permitted categories.

Registered Foreign Nationals (Including A-1, A-2, A-3) Meeting Conversational Instructor (E-2) Qualification Requirements

• A. Permitted Subjects and Authorization Authority

  Permitted for registered foreign nationals (including A-1, A-2, A-3) who meet the conversational instructor (E-2) qualification requirements.

4. Change/Addition of Place of Employment

A. Overview

• ① To enhance national competitiveness by increasing the utilization of skilled professionals, conversational instructors are permitted to change or add their place of employment with just a report.
• ② The place of employment includes not only the 'employer company with which a current employment contract is concluded and where employment is underway' but also 'locations where activities corresponding to the visa status are performed under the employer's direction within the scope of the employment contract'.

[Designated Places of Employment (Examples)]

• Elementary schools C and D within the jurisdiction, where a native English teacher affiliated with elementary school B under the Superintendent of Education A conducts English classes on a rotating basis.
• Companies where a foreign language conversational instructor from Academy A provides conversational instruction (provided that the company meets the conditions for employing conversational instructors, and the monthly lecture hours at the company do not exceed one-third of the monthly lecture hours at Academy A).
• Other places of employment (activities) similar to the above cases.

※ Common Requirements: Must fall within the scope of activities corresponding to the employment contract and visa status, there should be no separate employment contract or payment of remuneration between the foreign national and the head of the place of activity (business entity), and the employment method should not be that of dispatched labor.

B. Persons Subject to Reporting and Reporting Procedures, etc.

① Persons Subject to Reporting

• Those who change or add their place of employment after normal work until the end of their employment contract, or change companies due to the temporary closure or closure of the current employer.
• Those who change companies after being dismissed or voluntarily leaving before the end of the contract due to their own fault, with the consent of the original employer for transfer.
• Those who enter into an additional employment contract with another place of employment with the consent of the current employer.
• Those who receive separate remuneration for lectures at another company within one-third of the average monthly lecture hours, in accordance with the instructions of the current employer.
• If the foreign national lectures under a lecture contract concluded between the current employer and another institution or organization eligible to hire E-2 instructors, and receives separate remuneration according to the contract, it can be considered a de facto addition of a place of employment through a three-party contract, thus it is reasonable to add them to the subjects of reporting.
• For companies suspected of employing an excessive number of instructors relative to their lecture rooms and student numbers, on-site investigations will be conducted to prevent irregular use of manpower such as illegal tutoring, and the permissibility will be decided.
• By reviewing the lecture schedules for each E-2 instructor, it will be confirmed whether lectures are being conducted according to the schedule and whether more than one-third of the monthly lecture hours are being utilized through external business trips. If this is violated, the issuance of a visa confirmation certificate will be denied, and additional employment will be restricted until the reasons are resolved.
• Those who are compelled to terminate their employment contract with the original employer through no fault of their own and change to another place of employment before foreign registration.

※ However, with the transfer consent of the head of the original workplace, it is allowed only once.

Persons Exempt from Reporting

• Government-invited youth English support scholars* who do not meet the eligibility requirements for activities at the changed/added place of employment.

  * If not meeting the educational requirement of a bachelor's degree or higher from a university, they are not eligible to be conversational instructors at foreign language academies, etc., therefore changing their place of employment is not possible.

• Those who have met the eligibility requirements but have been dismissed or voluntarily left before the end of the contract due to their own fault, and have not obtained the transfer or additional workplace consent from the original employer.

Reporting Procedure

• Conversational instructors who have changed or added their place of employment must submit a 'Report on Change/Addition of Place of Employment' and the prescribed attached documents to the head of the competent immigration office, etc., within 15 days from the date the reason for reporting arises (reporting by proxy is permitted).
• Since a sticker for change/addition of place of employment or an endorsement must be affixed or stamped on the passport, the principle is to report in person.

Attached Documents

• Application form (Form No. 34), passport, alien registration card, employment contract, business registration certificate, consent letter from the head of the original workplace*, documents related to the establishment of facilities, etc.

* However, the consent letter from the head of the original workplace may be exempted if the foreign national has worked until the expiration date of the contract or the date agreed upon by both parties for employment. In case of temporary closure or closure of the original workplace, or wage arrears, it can be substituted with supporting documents or a statement of reasons.

※ If the remaining period of stay is shorter than (new employment contract period + 1 month), a permit for extension of stay must be obtained, and additional supporting documents required for the review of the extension of stay permit must be submitted.

5. Granting of Visa Status

Not applicable

6. Permit for Change of Visa Status

A. Subjects of Permission and Authorization Authority

Authorization authority is delegated to the heads of immigration offices for registered foreign nationals (including A-1, A-2, A-3) and those who intend to teach at elementary and secondary schools as English assistant teachers invited by the Superintendent of Education of the city/province, regardless of their current visa status.

B. Attached Documents

• Degree and criminal record certificates with official verification, employment health check certificate, employment contract, documents related to the establishment of organizations, etc., and other supporting materials necessary for review.
• For existing residents who have previously submitted officially verified degree and criminal record certificates, and employment health check certificates, and who continue to stay by changing their visa status to Job Seeker (D-10) or similar, submission of these documents may be exempted.
• Elementary and secondary school English assistant teachers who have concluded an employment contract with the Superintendent of Education of the city/province only need to submit the 'Employment Contract' and the 'Certificate of Passing' for the native English assistant teacher position.*

  * Educational offices will conduct independent verification of degree, criminal record certificates, and employment health check certificates.

※ The employment health check certificate must be submitted in a sealed envelope (do not open it).

* In cases where the remuneration stated in the employment contract falls below the minimum wage (minimum wage for the current year), the change of visa status permit will be presumed.

Foreign nationals invited by the Ministry of Education (Superintendents of Education) as foreign English instructors who intend to teach elementary and middle school students can have their visa status changed to E-2, regardless of their current visa status.

• ① Application form (Form No. 34), passport and alien registration card (if applicable), one standard-sized photograph, fee.
• ② Certificate of passing or notification letter issued by the Superintendent of Education of the city/province or the Director of the National Institute for International Education.
• ③ Original and copy of the employment contract.

7. Extension of Stay Period

Documents to Submit

• ① Application form (Form No. 34), passport and alien registration card, fee.
• ② Original and copy of the employment contract.
• ③ Copy of the business registration certificate.
• ④ Copy of the foreign language academy establishment and operation registration certificate (if applicable).
• ⑤ For those employed by lifelong education facilities and corporate enterprises, etc. (decided through comprehensive review using materials such as student status and lecture schedules, and withholding tax on earned income statements).
• ⑥ Existing residents who need to supplement criminal record certificates and proof of academic qualifications must supplement the relevant documents.
• ⑦ Income certificate.
• ※ In cases where income is reported as business income rather than earned income, a correction request will be made to the employer and the foreign national.
• ⑧ Proof of residence (lease agreement, confirmation of accommodation provision, postal notice of expiration of stay period, public utility payment receipts, dormitory fee receipts, etc.).
• ⑨ Lecture schedule.

※ Native English instructors invited by the Ministry of Education or Superintendents of Education of cities/provinces are exempt from submitting ① criminal record certificate, ② academic verification, and ③ employment health check documents.

Special Provisions for Stay Period

• ① English Assistant Teachers under the Korea-India CEPA Agreement
  Employment Period: 1 year
• ② Government-invited Youth English Support Scholars (TaLK) and Chinese Assistant Teachers (CPIK)
  Employment Period: Maximum 2 years

8. Re-entry Permit

Implementation of Re-entry Permit Exemption System

• Foreign nationals who have completed registration and intend to re-enter within one year from the date of departure are exempt from re-entry permit.
• If the remaining period of stay is less than one year, re-entry permit is exempted within the remaining period of stay.

※ However, individuals subject to entry or visa issuance restrictions must visit the competent immigration office (branch office or liaison office) to obtain a re-entry permit.

Multiple Re-entry Permit

(Multiple re-entry restrictions apply to Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Libya. However, for nationals of these countries who are married immigrants (F-6), students (D-2), or on general training (D-4), it is possible.)

• When intending to re-enter within two years, exceeding one year from the date of departure, within the remaining period of stay.
• Application Documents: Application form (Form No. 34), original passport, alien registration card, fee.

9. Alien Registration

Application Documents for Alien Registration

• ① Application form (Form No. 34), original passport, one standard-sized photograph, fee.
• ② Business registration certificate under the 'Value-Added Tax Act'.
• ③ Employment health check certificate (Must be submitted in a sealed envelope and cannot be opened).

* Must be issued by a medical institution designated by the Minister of Justice for employment health check.*

However, English assistant teachers hired by Superintendents of Education of cities/provinces and government-invited overseas English support scholars are exempted from submission (submitted to the relevant education office for independent verification).

④ Proof of residence.

Notification of Change of Alien Registration Information

• A. Information to be Reported: Name, gender, date of birth and nationality, passport number, issue date, and expiration date.
• B. Reporting Deadline: Within 15 days from the date of change.
• C. Documents to Submit

  ① Application form (Form No. 34), passport and alien registration card, no fee.

  ② Documents proving the change.

10. Additional Original Information

A. Definition of Conversational Instruction

• Activities that involve instructing students on how to communicate with each other in a foreign language at foreign language academies, educational institutions, companies, organizations, etc.
• Therefore, instructing in specific languages, literature, or translation techniques in a foreign language does not constitute conversational instruction activities.

B. Place of Activity

Foreign language academies*, educational institutions of elementary school or higher and their affiliated language research institutes, broadcasting stations and companies' affiliated language training centers, and other equivalent institutions or organizations.

* Includes school curriculum instruction academies using remote teaching methods utilizing information and communication technology, etc. (Amendment to the Private Tutoring Schools Act)

[Other Equivalent Institutions or Organizations]

• Lifelong education facilities established under the Lifelong Education Act that meet the standards set by the Minister of Justice.
• Lifelong education facilities established and operated by the national or local government under other laws (including ordinances).
• Vocational ability development training facilities and vocational ability development training corporations established in accordance with the Workers' Vocational Competency Development Act.
• Construction Industry Education Centers designated as agencies for the training of construction technology personnel under the Construction Technology Management Act.
• Corporate enterprises and public institutions that possess lecture rooms equipped with language learning facilities for their employees.

Eligible Persons

• □ Instructors at Foreign Language Academies, etc.

  Nationals of countries where the relevant foreign language is the native language, who have graduated from universities or higher educational institutions in their native country and hold a bachelor's degree or higher, or have equivalent academic qualifications.

  Special Provision for Domestic University Graduates
  Eligibility is recognized if an individual who has graduated from high school or a junior college in their native language country has obtained a bachelor's degree or higher from a domestic university.

  Special Provision for Nationals of Countries Using Common Languages
  For countries whose common language is a foreign language other than English, Chinese, or Japanese, nationals of countries that use the relevant foreign language as a common language are granted conversational instructor qualifications if they meet the following requirements:

  • Possession of a recognized teacher qualification for the relevant foreign language, or a bachelor's degree or higher in a field related to the relevant foreign language.
  • The wage requirement must be 80% or more of the per capita GNI of the previous year.

  ※ However, for non-profit organizations such as diplomatic missions and cultural centers in Korea, the minimum wage requirement for the current year applies.

• □ Persons recruited and selected under the supervision of the Ministry of Education or Superintendents of Education of cities/provinces, who intend to work at elementary and secondary schools.

  Native English Assistant Teacher (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): United States, United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland.

  English Assistant Teacher under the Korea-India CEPA Agreement
  Indian nationals who have graduated from university or higher educational institutions and hold a bachelor's degree or higher and a teacher's qualification certificate (major in English).

  Government-invited Overseas English Support Scholar (TaLK)
  Nationals of English-speaking countries
  * Have completed at least 2 years of study at a university in their home country (or completed at least 1 year of study at a UK university for British nationals) or have graduated from a junior college or higher.
  * Or have received regular education in the relevant foreign language for 10 years or more and completed at least 2 years of study at a domestic university or graduated from a junior college or higher.

  Native Chinese Assistant Teacher (CPIK)
  Chinese nationals who have graduated from universities or higher educational institutions in China and hold a bachelor's degree or higher and a 'Chinese Language Teacher Qualification Certificate' issued by the Chinese National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language.

• □ Permitting English Conversational Instruction Instructors for Spouses of Skilled Professionals and International Students (July 3, 2017)

  Spouses of skilled professionals (E-1 to E-7)* and international students (limited to those pursuing Master's or Doctoral degrees in science and engineering) who are not from English-speaking countries, but hold a TESOL** qualification and a bachelor's degree or higher, or have equivalent academic qualifications.

  * Excludes Hotel/Entertainment (E-6-2) visa status.

  ** TESOL: An English teacher training program that certifies individuals to teach English in non-English speaking countries.

※ Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)