Speedy Recruiting L.L.C.

"Busan's Experts" 

Recruiting only for good English schools in Busan, South Korea.


Getting Your Visa for Korea

For most foreigners, this is the most painful part of getting to Korea. The most important thing is to make sure you follow the steps exactly. One small mistake and a document might not be accepted. The teachers here at Speedy have done this themselves, while our managers have been on the other end making it work. Some teachers decide not to come because they don't have the ambition to spend a few hours getting this done. Don't be one of them! Good things take a little effort. As soon as Speedy accepts you, it is time to get rolling on this stuff, as it will take a few weeks to do. Let's face it, dealing with the government is never an efficient process!

To make this easier for you, email us and we will send you a printable Word file that you can use as a totable checklist (do #8 first - it takes the longest).
 
IMPORTANT: The information below is specific to getting visa in the U.S.A.! If you are from Canada, the main difference is in the apostille. If you have any questions, give your local Korean consulate a call, or contact us.

You will need Adobe Reader to open and print files we email to you. If you don't have it, get a quick free download at the Adobe Reader site. If your computer can not open the Microsoft files, download Microsoft's free File Format Converter.
 A.  GRPINBULL.GIF (1016 bytes)  You must get the following documents as specified...

1:   Three Sealed Copies of your College or University Transcript
  •  If you do not have these, you can call your school's Registrar's Office, or find it on your school website. Online there might be a form to fill out to request the transcripts. Most will send as many as you want and for free. Make sure to keep them sealed.

2:   Diploma

  • It is actually easiest to just send your diploma, and that is what most teachers do. You will get it back from your employer once you are in Korea. Many teachers find it useful to have their diplomas on-hand in Korea once their contracts end. 
  • If you really don't want to, you need a photocopy notarized by a notary republic (in the same state/province the school is located), then mail it to the Secretary of State for an Apostille, and wait to get it back. 

3:   Resume

  • An updated copy of your resume. Make sure to modify it to include any previous teaching, traveling, living abroad, work with kids, or other applicable experiences.  

4:   A Photocopy of Your Passport

  • The photocopy is of the first page in your passport - the one with all the information.
  • Make sure that all the numbers are clearly legible.
  • Make sure that your passport will not expire within the next 6 months, and that there is at least one completely empty page.

5:   Four Passport Sized Photos

  • These are the exact same photos you need for your passport. Many pharmacies like Rite Aid will take these for you.

6:   A Signed Copy of School Contract

  • Make sure to fill out all of the blanks and not just sign at the end!

7:   Health Statement (we will email you this file to print and fill out)

  • You do not need an actual health check until you are in Korea. This is just a questionnaire from the Korean government.
  • In Korea, you will have to pass a health test for "communicable diseases" like TB and HIV. They also test for narcotics. Supposedly, they are not testing for marijuana use, but once in Korea marijuana is highly illegal. If you try to bring any into the country you will face severe consequences.
  • If you will not pass the test, don't go to Korea! You will not be able to teach otherwise.

8:   Criminal Background Check

  • Check must be done within 3 months of getting a visa.
  • Can use the FBI or local police station, but the local police will be much faster.
  • Tell them you need a "sex-offender registry" check, and that it needs to be indicated on the test results.
  • Tell them at the very least it needs to be a "state clearance letter" or "report."
  • Have them send you the results.
  • Now, get the check notarized by a notary republic or any lawyer (in the same state the test was given. There may be a small fee or no fee for this.
  • Mail the notarized criminal check to the "Authentications Office" of the "Secretary of State" of your state, asking for an "Apostille Authentication." Speedy will mail you the information for your Secretary of State.

Optional...

9:   Reference Letter

  • ONLY needed if you are trying to get a public school job. Otherwise, don't bother.
  • Must be from a former professor or employer.
  • Must be sealed in an envelope
  • Must contain name, status, address, contact number, and ink signature.

10: TEFL Certificate

  • This is NOT required to teach in Korea!
  • But, if you stated on your resume that you have one, you might be getting a higher pay because of it. Therefore, it is good to have proof.
  • Normally schools will only accept courses that took 100-hours or more.
B. GRPINBULL.GIF (1016 bytes) Now that you have all your documents, it is time to send the following documents to your employers address. Make sure to send it with a mail carrier that lets you track your package as it goes to Korea. Do not use USPS because you can't track the whole way.
  1. Two sealed copies of college or university transcript 
  2. Diploma
  3. Resume
  4. Photocopy of passport information page
  5. Two passport-sized photos
  6. School contract signed by you
  7. Health statement
  8. Criminal check (notarized and with apostille)

 Mailing these documents will cost about $50-$80. Fairly expensive, but necessary. Your money will be quickly earned back in Korea. Just keep thinking about your free $1,000 flight and furnished housing!

Please email Speedy with the tracking # of your package, and the service used. Your package is valuable and took work, so let's keep an eye on it. Once your employer receives it in Korea, he will take them to the Ministry of Justice and Immigration and obtain your visa identification # (it will consist of letters and numbers). This will take the Ministry a week or more.

Your employer will then email you the visa issuance number, which you will use on your teaching visa application for the Korean Consulate.

C. GRPINBULL.GIF (1016 bytes) You sent all your documents, you have your visa issuance number. Now, you must send your visa application and correct documents to a Korean Consulate nearest you.

Here is a list of the documents you must send or bring:
  1. E-2 Visa Application Form completely filled out
  2. Your actual passport. Make sure you have signed the inside cover and that at least one page is blank!
  3. A photo: passport size or 2-inch by 2-inch
  4. Confirm your Visa Issuance # (put at the top of the application form)
  5. One set of sealed transcripts from your college or university
  6. "Consuls Checklist" - a short form they require that we will email to you.
  7. Send $45 in cash or a money order. You can get a money order at any  U.S. Post Office.
  8. To be safe, ask to make sure you get a "Multiple-Entry Visa" so you can leave Korea for trips and return.

The Korean Consulate will then mail your passport back with the visa inside. Now you are ready for your employer to buy your plane ticket!


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Speedy Recruiting L.L.C.
Delaware, U.S.A.

Email now with questions or to apply:
speedy.recruiting@gmail.com 

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