Step #5 - Gathering Documents: Sealed University Transcripts

At present, it is compulsory to verify your Degree qualifications to Korean immigration, by sending them a set of sealed and signed University transcripts. This may seem straight forward, but you would be surprised at how many people get held up at this step! There are, in fact, a surprising number of mistakes that universities can make, that can cost you precious time and money to correct. Transcripts without a seal, transcripts without a signature, transcripts with a seal and signature but not fixed in the correct fashion etc. etc. etc...I'm sure you get the idea. In order to avoid any of these mistakes being made, my suggestion to you at this point is as follows: send your university a picture of a correctly sealed transcript for them to view. This will hopefully prevent any misunderstandings.

Also, make sure to ask your university to seal each transcript individually, as it can sometimes happen that they put all sets of the transcript into one envelope and just seal that one, which would be useless to you.

Click here for an example of a correctly sealed transcript. And just for the sake of comparison, this is an example of an incorrectly sealed transcript...

Updates to E-2 visa regulations: Sealed University Transcripts

Note: These are the changes noted in the E-2 visa notice as posted by HiKorea here.

The change of 'self verification of the original diploma' system
- From 2010.9.1 when you get visa status invitation, apply for extension, apply for the permission to move into a new workplace and all kinds of sojourn related applications you will have to submit a copy of your diploma or graduation certificate or certificate of obtain degree which has a Apostille stamp or verification from the Korean Embassy in your own country or a verification from the Korean Council For University Education.
* The original rule for submitting the original diploma and sealed transcript system will be abolished.(from 2010.9.1)
* Submitting the sealed transcript will be omitted.(from 2010.9.1)"

Step #5 - Gathering Documents: University Diploma

All Nationalities (except Canadians)

As Korean immigration no longer accepts original degree diplomas, you now have the following two options available to you:

1) You can have a copy of your degree verified by your local Korean Consulate.

OR

2) You can have a copy of your degree notarised and then subsequently Apostilled.


The process for getting a degree notarised and apostilled varies between countries. The links below connect you to the various organizations that can provide apostille services.

Australia

Ireland

New Zealand

South Africa

UK
Note: UK applicants can get copies of their degree certified instead of notarised. This service is far more cost effective (£5-15 instead of £65+), but will still be accepted for Apostille and is also acceptable to Korean Immigration.

USA



Canadian Nationals

Canadians have the following two options available to them:

1) You can have a copy of your degree verified by your local Korean Consulate (preferred option).

OR

2) You can have a Letter of Completion/ Certificate of Graduation verified by your local Korean Consulate.

For a list of Korean Consulates in Canada, please click here.

Step #5 - Visa Requirements

Gathering your visa documents for Korea is one of the most time consuming steps of the whole job application process. It is also the most important step to get right, as not doing so will inevitably cost you valuable time, more money and maybe even your job!

Korean E-2 visa requirements have been revised fairly frequently in recent years and the list of required documents seems to get longer each time. It is, therefore, advisable to start looking into your specific requirements early, as some of the required documents can take some time to procure. As many jobs in Korea are posted at relatively short notice (~1-2 months before the start date), employers looking to hire quickly may favour someone who has all their documents ready over someone who hasn't. Consequently, having your documents ready in time could be the deal breaker in nabbing that great job offer of yours...

Below I will attempt to outline the basic requirements for an E-2 visa. This information is valid at the time of writing in July 2010.

Note: It has come to my attention that E-2 visa regulations are in the process of changing once again over the course of this year. I will address these planned changes where they apply (change indicated by *), however, I nevertheless urge you to double check with your local Korean Embassy for the accuracy of these changes.


Basic Requirements for an E-2 Visa:

1) Your native language needs to be English
2) You need to own a passport from one of the following countries: Canada, USA, England, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand


Required E-2 Visa Application Documents

Document List #1 (to be sent to Korea)
1 Copy of University Diploma*
2 Sealed University Transcripts*
1 State-wide Criminal Record Check*
1 Resume
1 Photocopy of Passport Information Page
1 E-2 Health Statement
2 Official Passport Photos

Document List #2 (to submit to the Korean Consulate/Embassy when applying for your visa)
Note: This list can vary, so please check with your local embassy as to which documents they require)

1 Passport
1 Completed Visa Application Form
1 Consul's Checklist
1 Official Passport Photo
1 Sealed University Transcript
1 Resume
1 Fee for Visa Application