Teaching in South Korea?
We Handle the Apostille.
- Minutes from the U.S. Department of State
- Expedited Processing Available
- Education Visa Specialists
- Full Document Package Handling
- Minutes from the U.S. Department of State
- Expedited Processing Available
- Education Visa Specialists
- Full Document Package Handling
What Is an Apostille — and Why Do You Need One for Korea?
An apostille is an official government certification that authenticates U.S. documents for use in foreign countries — including South Korea. It’s essentially an internationally recognized stamp of legitimacy issued under the Hague Convention of 1961, to which both the U.S. and South Korea are signatories.
When you apply to teach English in Korea — whether through the EPIK government program, a public school placement like GEPIK or SMOE, or a private hagwon — your employer and the Korean immigration office will require apostilled documents before they can process your E-2 visa.
Think of the apostille as the bridge between your U.S.-issued documents and their acceptance by Korean authorities. Without it, your background check, diploma, or transcript is simply a piece of paper as far as the Korean government is concerned.
Because South Korea is a Hague Convention member, an apostille — rather than embassy legalization — is the correct and accepted form of authentication. This simplifies the process compared to countries that require full consular legalization.
Teaching Programs in Korea
- EPIK — English Program in Korea (national government)
- GEPIK — Gyeonggi English Program in Korea
- GEPIK — Gyeonggi English Program in Korea
- DMOE — Daegu Metropolitan Office of Education
- TOEIC/TOEFL Institutes & Hagwons
- Universities & International Schools
All programs require an apostilled FBI background check and apostilled degree documents as part of the E-2 visa application.
Major Teaching Programs That Require Apostilles
Each program operates under different school systems but all require the same core set of apostilled documents for the E-2 visa. Here’s a quick overview of the main pathways.
English Program in Korea
The flagship government-run program placing native English teachers in public elementary, middle, and high schools across Korea. One of the most competitive and structured programs available.
Gyeonggi English Program
Places teachers in public schools throughout Gyeonggi Province — the large province surrounding Seoul. Managed separately from EPIK but has very similar document requirements.
Seoul Metro Office of Education
Manages English teachers specifically for Seoul's public schools. SMOE placements are highly sought after for their urban location, strong support systems, and competitive packages.
Private Language Schools
Private academies that teach English, math, and other subjects after regular school hours. Hagwons are plentiful across Korea and are popular with teachers who want more flexibility in placement.
University Positions
Teaching positions at Korean universities typically require more credentials but offer fewer teaching hours, longer holidays, and often housing stipends. Apostilles on all academic documents are required.
Documents That Need to Be Apostilled
The E-2 visa and Korean teaching programs require a specific set of authenticated documents. Here’s what typically needs an apostille.
Background Check
- FBI Background Check (federal — required for E-2 visa)
- State criminal background check (some employers may also require)
- Must be recent — typically within 6 months of your visa application
- FBI apostille issued by the U.S. Department of State
Academic Documents
- Bachelor's degree diploma (or higher)
- Official academic transcripts
- TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate (if required by employer)
- Apostille issued by Secretary of State of the state where the university is located
Additional Documents
- Sealed letter of reference (some programs require apostilled reference letters)
- Teaching license or certification (if applicable)
- Medical certificate (not typically apostilled, but required)
- We advise on what's required for your specific program
Our Apostille Process for Korea
We guide you through every step — from getting your FBI background check to delivering your completed apostilled documents ready for your visa application.
1
Consult & Plan
We review your program requirements and identify every document that needs to be apostilled for your specific situation.
2
Obtain FBI Report
We guide you through ordering your FBI Identity History Summary — the federal background check required for E-2 visas.
3
Prep Documents
Academic and other documents are reviewed and prepared for submission to the appropriate Secretary of State office.
4
Submit & Track
We submit your documents to the U.S. Department of State (federal) or Secretary of State (academic) and monitor progress.
5
Delivery
Completed apostilled documents are returned to you — ready for your E-2 visa application and Korean employer.
Processing Timelines
Processing times vary by service level and document type. We recommend starting the apostille process as early as possible — most teachers need to begin 6–10 weeks before their start date.
| Service Level | Document Type | Est. Processing Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | FBI Background Check Apostille | 8–12 weeks (including FBI processing) | Planning ahead, 3+ months before start |
| Rush | FBI Background Check Apostille | 3–6 weeks | 6–10 weeks before your program start |
| Standard | Academic Diploma & Transcripts | 2–4 weeks | Plenty of lead time available |
| Rush | Academic Diploma & Transcripts | 5–10 business days | Moderate urgency |
| Expedited | All Document Types | 2–5 business days | Urgent — program start approaching |
* Timelines are estimates and may vary. FBI background check processing time begins after the FBI issues the report, not from your order date. Contact us for the most current turnaround estimates.
Why Teachers Choose DC Apostille Services
Near the U.S. Department of State
Our proximity to the State Department means faster turnaround on federal apostilles — including FBI background checks required for your E-2 visa.
Korea Teaching Specialists
We know exactly what EPIK, GEPIK, SMOE, and private hagwons require. No guesswork — we've handled packages for teachers in every major Korean program.
Full Package Handling
From FBI guidance to diploma apostilles, we manage your entire document package — so you can focus on preparing for your move, not navigating government offices.
Personal Guidance
We walk you through the process step by step — explaining exactly what's needed, what sequence to follow, and how to make sure your documents are accepted.
Expedited When You Need It
Got a program start date coming up fast? We offer rush and expedited processing options to make sure you hit your deadline.
Accuracy You Can Count On
Errors in your apostille documents can delay your visa and cost you your placement. We verify everything before submission to get it right the first time.
Pricing
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Contact us for a custom quote based on your specific documents and program requirements.
FBI Apostille Only
Contact Us for pricing
- FBI processing fees separate
- Document prep & review
- U.S. Dept. of State submission
- Tracking & status updates
- Return shipping included
Most Popular
Korea Teaching Bundle
Complete E-2 visa document package
Contact Us for pricing
- All-inclusive for most programs
- FBI apostille (federal)
- Diploma apostille
- Transcript apostille
- Program-specific document review
- E-2 visa checklist provided
- E-2 visa checklist provided
- Return shipping included
Additional Documents
Contact Us for pricing
- Per additional document
- TEFL/TESOL certificates
- Reference letters (if required)
- Teaching credentials
- State background checks
- Same attention & tracking as main package
Frequently Asked Questions
Does South Korea require an apostille or embassy legalization?
South Korea is a member of the Hague Convention, which means an apostille is the correct — and simpler — form of authentication. You do not need embassy legalization. An apostille from the appropriate U.S. authority is fully accepted by Korean government offices and employers.
Which authority issues the apostille on my FBI background check?
The U.S. Department of State issues the apostille for federal documents, including the FBI Identity History Summary. This is different from state-level documents like diplomas, which are apostilled by the Secretary of State of the issuing state.
How recent does my FBI background check need to be?
Most Korean programs and the E-2 visa application require your FBI background check to have been issued within the past 6 months. Because FBI processing alone can take several weeks, we recommend starting this process as early as possible — ideally 3 or more months before your intended start date.
Can I get apostilles on documents from multiple states?
Yes. If your degree was issued in one state and you currently reside in another, we handle submissions to the appropriate Secretary of State offices on your behalf. This is common and we navigate it routinely for our clients.
Do transcripts need to be official sealed copies for apostille?
Yes — transcripts must be official sealed copies directly from your university's registrar. Unofficial or student-copy transcripts cannot be apostilled. We can advise you on exactly how to order them and what format to request.
What if I'm on a tight timeline before my EPIK or GEPIK start date?
We offer rush and expedited processing options for urgent situations. Contact us as soon as possible — the earlier we know your deadline, the better we can optimize the process. For most document types (excluding the FBI check itself), expedited processing can significantly reduce turnaround time.
Ready to Get Started?
Let's Handle Your Korea Teaching Apostilles
Tell us about your program and timeline — we’ll put together exactly what you need for a smooth E-2 visa application.