Eligiblity

Be a citizen of a country where English is the primary language
  • EPIK teachers must be citizens of one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, or South Africa.
    • * Under the CEPA agreement, Indian citizens are eligible for positions if they meet all other requirements and hold a valid teaching certificate in English education (this requirement cannot be fulfilled by a TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate).
  • Must have studied from at least the junior high level (7th Grade) and graduated from a university in one of the designated countries listed above. Applicants from areas such as South African, Quebec, etc. where significant portions of the population might not speak English as their primary language must provide proof that their schooling from 7th year/grade and through university was conducted in English. Letters from the schools will be sufficient proof and must be submitted with the applicant's initial application.
  • Korean citizens with legal residency in one of the designated countries listed above are eligible to apply, but must provide proof of English education beginning from 7th year/grade and through university.
Hold a minimum of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university with the designated countries
Those who have a teaching license/certificate, B.Ed., M.Ed., or who majored in Teaching, TESOL, Second Language Studies (University of Hawai'i), or any other of Education-focused major (Physical Education, Math Education, etc.) are not required to have a TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate.

Those who have a Bachelor's degree in a field/specialization not listed above will need to obtain a TEFL/TESOL/CELTA/etc. certificate of at least 100 hours or more from an accredited program to be eligible. This may be completed during the application process, so applicants may apply before they have obtained the certification as long as it will be finalized no later than 6 weeks before the final expected arrival date in Korea.
Be mentally and physically healthy
Have a good command of the English language
Have the ability and willingness to adapt to Korean culture and life
  • * If you are a male citizen of the Republic of Korea under the age of 35, you must have either completed mandatory military service or have received an official waiver.

For more information about the mandatory military service that all Korean men are obliged to complete, please consult the following link https://www.mma.go.kr/eng/index.do

  • * All EPIK positions are available based solely on an "on-request" basis from the Korean Provincial and Metropolitan Offices of Education.

E2 Visa

The Importance of the E2 Visa
Please ensure that you are in possession of the E-2 visa prior to arriving in Korea. You cannot attend the EPIK orientation, nor work in Korea, without the E-2 visa (excluding F4, F6 or Korean passport holders).
You will be given more information on how to apply for the visa after receiving a successful placement.
The documents required for the visa application will be sent to you only after receiving a contract from an Office of Education.
How to Apply for an E2 Visa
  • Passport
  • Contract
  • Notice of Appointment
  • E-2 Visa Application Form
  • * Please contact your Korean Consulate or Embassy for information regarding all other required documents.
  • * Note: Visa issuance periods depend on the consulate/embassy, but post-COVID it usually takes a minimum of 14 business days.
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