Passport
Must be from an approved E-2 country and valid for the full contract.
teach english in south korea · 2026 guide
Teach English in South Korea (Bachelor’s Degree Required)
South Korea offers structured public-school routes and faster private-academy hiring. The degree rule is firm, the benefits can be decent, and the apostille pile starts earlier than you think.
E-2 ROUTE · START EARLY
Degree: requiredTEFL: route-dependentPay: roughly ₩2.1m–₩3.0m/monthApostilled checks and degree
the quick answer
Requirements at a glance
| Degree | No degree | TEFL | Pay | Hardest part |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's required for the usual E-2 English-teaching visa | No standard E-2 route; narrow student exceptions are not a general option | Often required or rewarded for public programmes; widely useful elsewhere | Roughly ₩2.1m–₩3.0m monthly, often with provided housing | Apostilled degree copy and national criminal record check |
how long it actually takes
Visa & paperwork timeline
- 12–8 weeks
Finish your TEFL
Not always mandatory for E-2, but it strengthens hagwon and public-school applications.
- 21–4 weeks
Criminal record check
National-level police check from your home country. Start this first — it gates everything else.
- 31–3 weeks
Apostille degree and police check
Both documents need an apostille. Sealed diplomas and recent issue dates matter; immigration rejects old or copied paperwork.
- 42–6 weeks
Apply and interview
Hagwons hire year-round and move fast. Public-school intakes (EPIK/GEPIK) run to fixed February and August starts, so apply months ahead.
- 52–6 weeks
Contract and visa issuance number
The school files with Korean immigration and sends you a visa issuance number or confirmation.
- 61–2 weeks
E-2 visa at the consulate
In-person or postal application in your home country, usually with a health statement.
- 72–4 weeks
Arrival: medical check and ARC
Health check in Korea, then the Alien Registration Card that lets you open a bank account and get a phone.
timings are typical, not promised — queues move.
pack the folder
Documents you need
Sealed degree certificate
Original plus an apostilled copy. Some schools also want sealed transcripts.
Apostilled criminal record check
National police check, usually issued within the last 6 months.
TEFL certificate
120-hour minimum. Required for some public-school routes and preferred by better hagwons.
Health statement and medical check
Self-declaration with the visa, then a full medical after arrival.
Photos, CV and references
Passport photos, a photo CV, two references and a short intro video for many schools.
TEFL requirements in South Korea
A bachelor's is central to the usual E-2 route. Public programmes commonly want a 100-hour+ TEFL unless your degree is in education or teaching; private academies set their own hiring bar.
- → Bachelor's degree
- → Eligible English-speaking nationality
- → National criminal record check
- → Apostilled documents
South Korea teaching visa (any passport)
UK citizens can be eligible for the E-2 route if the degree, checks and health requirements line up. Your employer or programme sponsors the visa; your passport alone is not permission to work.
How much English teachers earn
Entry packages commonly land around ₩2.1m–₩3.0m monthly. Housing, severance, pension eligibility, flights and teaching load matter as much as base pay.
Can you teach with no degree?
Not on the standard E-2 route. If you do not hold a bachelor's, do not build a Korea plan around rare exceptions or vague recruiter promises.
searched at 2am. answered.
People also ask
Can I teach English in South Korea without a degree?
Not through the normal E-2 visa route. A TEFL certificate does not replace the bachelor's requirement.
Do I need TEFL to teach English in South Korea?
It depends on the employer. Public programmes often require or reward it; private academies may hire without it but a proper certificate helps.
Can a UK citizen get a South Korea teaching visa?
Potentially yes, with a bachelor's, clean national criminal check, eligible passport and sponsoring employer or programme.
How much do English teachers earn in South Korea?
Many first roles pay roughly ₩2.1m–₩3.0m monthly, often with housing. Benefits and deductions vary.
Is EPIK better than a hagwon?
EPIK is more structured with fixed intakes; hagwons hire year-round and vary more. Better depends on timing, hours and contract quality.
What documents do I need for an E-2 visa?
Common items include an apostilled degree copy, apostilled national criminal check, passport, contract and health-related forms.
Can I teach in Korea with an ordinary bachelor's degree?
Usually yes if it is a completed recognised bachelor's. Your subject and honours classification are generally less important than completion.
How long does the South Korea teaching visa take?
There is no safe universal promise. Checks, apostilles, employer processing and consular timing can turn it into a multi-month job.
How do I get a TEFL certificate in the UK before teaching in South Korea?
Take an accredited online TEFL course UK employers recognise — a 120-hour certificate is the standard entry level and a Level 5 reads stronger. The same accredited online courses are open worldwide, including the US, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Most people finish inside 60 days, then apply for South Korea roles.
the course call
Level 5 is the safer bet.
South Korea is degree-required, making Level 5 the safer course recommendation; a proper 120-hour course is the starter. Confirm E-2 and employer requirements before ordering documents.
Want the lighter start? A credible 120-hour course is still the entry route. Level 5 simply gives your application more weight.