Visa Documents

If you get a contract and go to Korea to teach, you will need to get an E-2 Visa.

There are many stages to this process, and several documents involved. First you will need to collect the following documents:

• 4-6 passport sized photos (so one sheet--you need to keep one or two)
  
• passport (if you haven't got one--this will take the most time)
  
• two photocopies of your passport (keep one)
  
• original degree (they will give it back to you in Korea, but if you don't want to send your original degree, you can get a notarized photocopy to send for the apostille and send it)
• 2 sets of official college transcripts
• criminal background check (needs apostille)
• self-health statement
• original contract (signed)

It takes about 2-4 weeks to get your background check and another 2-4 to get the apostille, so plan ahead.
You will send most of these documents to the contracting school (except the ones noted to keep). The school will then take them to the Korean government and they will give you a visa issuance number which the school or recruiter should send you.
You then need to call your nearest Korean consulate or embassy and set up an interview for your visa. You will need to give them the visa issuance number, your name, and your contact information (phone number). They check out the information and call back to set up an appointment time/date.

For the interview, you will need to go to their site and print out the Visa application form and the consulate checklist and fill them out to take. You will also need:

• 2-3 passport sized photos (the ones you kept)
  
• copy of passport (the one you kept)
• passport (they will keep it and send it back to you with the visa inside)
• Cash or money order of $45 (paid to Korean Consulate General--cash accepted in person)
• self-addressed pre-paid envelope

Don't forget to have the application and checklist filled out when you go.

In my case, I went in, handed over the documents, waited, and was shown into an office. The interviews seem to last about 15-30 minutes. He asked the same questions from the recruiter and school interviews. Then we just talked about our travel experience and Korean food (not necessary, just something we had in common).

It's not anything scary, but look nice. I wore a suit and so did another guy. The people interviewing you will be in business attire, so you should be too. Just look professional and be prepared for the same questions.

Good luck~

Interviewing with the school

Since my friend kept asking me about the interview and what they asked, I thought I would post something to give you an idea of what to expect.

Mind you, the school knows what the recruiters tell them and what's on the resume and information you send. Which is why I recommend sending a cover letter with your resume.

To be honest, my interviews were rather simple. Since they already had my information, they asked about certain jobs, the experience, what I did, what I learned. Mostly it was just the principle telling me about the school and the job and what I needed to do, but...

What did you study for your degree? Where/when did you receive it from?
How long have you been considering teaching in Korea?
Why are you interested in Korea?
What do you know about Korea?
Have you previously traveled to Asia (Korea)? Where? When?
Do you have teaching experience? When? What age?
Do you have certification? What kind?
How soon can you have the Visa documents ready? Do you have them already?

Basically, all you need to do is be calm. Talk slowly, but not too slowly. Don't make it sound like you're talking to a three year old, but don't talk like they are your friends either. Speak clearly and use simple sentences (don't go on and on about nothing "like this... like that"). Normally you will be talking to a Korean whose English is limited.

Make sure you have a list of questions you want to ask them prepared before your interview.
How many (if any) sick days you get? Paid or not?
When/how often do you get paid?
Do they buy the ticket or reimburse you?

ALSO, be sure to ask if you can speak to one of the current ESL teachers! This is some good advice I got from my recruiter. The teachers will give you an honest account of the school, apartment, and city. Should you decide to take the job and keep their contact information, they can also be a big help in preparing for your trip.

Important questions for teachers could be:

What do they think of the school/principle/other teachers?
Location of housing in comparison to the school? If far, the cost of commute.
What is the state of the living conditions?
What furnishings were supplied?
Have they heard of any other ESL teacher's having had issues with the school or payment?
What is the dress code? Is there one?
How hard was it to open a bank account? Get a phone? Did the school help?
Can they e-mail you any pictures of the school/apartment?
What is the teaching style? Do you write lesson plans from scratch/work from books/etc?