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e-2 visa route

Can you teach English in Korea with a UK passport?

TYPICALLY YES
2026 update

the short answer

Yes — the UK is one of the passports Korea has long accepted for its E-2 teaching visa. You'll typically need a bachelor's degree, an apostilled criminal record check, and an accredited TEFL certificate of around 100-120 hours. Korea's document requirements have shifted before and can again, so confirm the current list with the Korean embassy in London or a recruiter before committing to flights or a course.

Key facts

DegreeBachelor's degree required, any subject
TEFL hours100-120 hours commonly requested
VisaE-2 teaching visa, employer-sponsored
Typical payTypical first-year hagwon pay, not international-school pay
Best citySeoul, Busan, or Daegu for volume of openings
Hardest partDBS check plus apostille timing
Who this suitsUK grads wanting a well-trodden, sponsored route

step one, always

Get the certificate before you apply

Get the accredited TEFL course

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typical, not guaranteed

Your timeline

  1. 1

    Accredited TEFL course

    120-hour online course is generally accepted; check the school's exact requirement.

    1-4 weeks
  2. 2

    Degree apostille + transcript

    Apostille through the FCDO's Legalisation Office, plus a sealed transcript.

    2-6 weeks
  3. 3

    DBS criminal record check

    Basic DBS check, then apostilled — this is often the slowest step.

    2-8 weeks
  4. 4

    Apply to hagwons or EPIK

    Interviews are usually done over video call.

    2-6 weeks
  5. 5

    E-2 visa + arrival

    Visa processed via the Korean embassy in London once paperwork is complete.

    3-6 weeks
Start the 120-hour / Level 5 course

Why UK applicants have it comparatively easy

The UK sits on Korea's standard list of seven eligible passports, and UK universities issue documents in formats Korean immigration recognises without extra translation in most cases. That doesn't remove the paperwork, but it does remove one layer of friction other applicants face.

The trade-off is volume: because the UK sends so many teachers, hagwons can be picky about accent, presentation, and interview manner. A TEFL certificate gets your foot in the door — it doesn't replace a good interview.

The DBS bottleneck

The basic DBS check is usually the slowest part of the whole process, sometimes taking several weeks longer than expected. Order it as early as possible, ideally before you've even finished your TEFL course, since Korea requires an apostilled version.

A common mistake is waiting until a job offer arrives to start the DBS process — by the time it clears and gets apostilled, the school may have filled the position with someone who prepared documents in advance.

EPIK, SMOE, or private hagwon

EPIK and city-specific programmes like SMOE (Seoul) have set application windows and structured benefits, but they can prefer candidates with some classroom exposure — check the current cycle's stated requirements rather than assuming.

Private hagwons hire year-round and are more flexible, but quality varies enormously. Ask for the full contract, read recent teacher reviews, and be wary of any school pressuring you to sign without seeing it.

what people actually ask

FAQs

Is a UK passport enough to get an E-2 visa?

Passport eligibility is one requirement, not the only one. You'll also need a bachelor's degree, apostilled DBS check, and usually an accredited TEFL certificate. Confirm the full current list with the Korean embassy before applying.

How long does the DBS and apostille process take?

Often several weeks longer than people expect, especially during busy periods. Start your DBS application as early as possible and apostille it through the FCDO once issued, well before you expect a job offer.

Can I use an online TEFL course for Korea?

Many hagwons and EPIK accept 100-120 hour online TEFL courses, but some prefer in-person or observed teaching hours. Check the specific job ad or programme guidelines, since this varies by employer.

Is EPIK better than a private hagwon for UK teachers?

EPIK offers more structure and standard benefits but runs on fixed intake cycles; private hagwons hire year-round and are more flexible, though quality varies more, so review the contract carefully before accepting.

What degree subject do I need for Korea?

Korea's E-2 visa generally doesn't require a specific subject — any bachelor's degree typically qualifies. What matters more is that your degree and transcript are properly apostilled before you apply.

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Read next

South Korea country guide →Documents checklist for TEFL visas →UK passport, teach English abroad →
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