Disclaimer: This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Korean visa rules are set by the Ministry of Justice and revised frequently, and individual cases are decided by immigration officers applying detailed internal manuals. The D-10 category was reformed in October 2025, and several F-2 routes changed in 2025 and 2026. Confirm every requirement, fee, and threshold with the Korea Immigration Service (1345) or HiKorea before acting, and consult a licensed immigration practitioner (행정사) for any case that is not straightforward.
This guide covers: what each of the three visas is for, how a teacher moves between them, the D-10 rules for teachers whose contract ends without a next job lined up, the F-2-7 points-based residence route and whether E-2 time counts toward it, the regional F-2-R route, what each status allows and forbids, fees, and the long-term path toward permanent residency.
The short version: three visas, three jobs
Short answer: The E-2 is the working visa that lets a foreign English teacher teach at a specific academy. The D-10 is a short job-seeker status that bridges the gap between one teaching job and the next. The F-2 is a residence status that removes the link to a single employer entirely. Most teachers start on E-2, some pass through D-10 between contracts, and a smaller number build toward F-2.
| E-2 | D-10 | F-2 (F-2-7 route) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Foreign language (conversation) instructor | Job seeker | Residence, points-based |
| Tied to one employer | Yes | No employer | No |
| Can teach at an academy | Yes, for the registered employer | No | Yes, any employer |
| Typical duration | Up to 2 years per contract | 6 months per grant, 1 year total for former E-2 holders | Set by points score |
| Main requirement | Degree, clean record check, eligible nationality, job offer | Contract ended legitimately, job search plan | 80+ points, qualifying residence period, income |
| Status change fee | ₩100,000 | ₩100,000 | ₩100,000 |
The rest of this guide explains each one in detail and, more usefully, how they connect.
Part 1: The E-2 visa
Short answer: The E-2 (회화지도) visa authorizes a foreign national to teach a foreign language at a specific registered employer in Korea. It requires a bachelor's degree, citizenship of a country where the language is spoken natively, a clean apostilled criminal record check, and a post-arrival health examination.
Who is eligible
For English, eligibility is limited to citizens of seven countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and South Africa. Indian nationals can also qualify under the Korea-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, with a bachelor's degree and a government-issued English teaching qualification.
The E-2 subcategories
| Code | Where it applies |
|---|---|
| E-2-1 | Private academies, universities, and similar institutions |
| E-2-2 | Government public education programs such as EPIK, GEPIK, SMOE, and TaLK |
| E-2-91 | Free trade agreement routes, such as the India CEPA |
Core document requirements
- Bachelor's degree in any subject from an accredited institution, apostilled or consular-legalized as required
- Criminal record check at the national level, apostilled, generally issued within six months of the application. For US citizens this means an FBI check apostilled by the US Department of State, not a state-level check. Canadian RCMP checks have been apostilled through provincial authorities since Canada joined the Apostille Convention on January 11, 2024.
- Health examination after arrival, at a designated hospital, covering tuberculosis, syphilis, and a drug screen
Practical tip: The drug screen is taken seriously. A positive cannabis result puts E-2 status at real risk regardless of whether cannabis is legal in the teacher's home country. Korean law applies to use abroad as well as in Korea.
What the E-2 allows and forbids
The E-2 is tied to one employer. Teaching for anyone other than the registered employer, including private lessons, tutoring, or a second academy, is unauthorized employment unless immigration has granted separate permission in advance. Unauthorized employment can lead to fines, cancellation of status, and removal.
Stay is granted within the contract period, up to a maximum of two years per issuance.
Changing employers on an E-2
When a contract ends at its natural term, a letter of release is generally not legally required for the teacher to move to a new employer. Mid-contract moves are more complicated and may require documentation from the previous employer. The new employer applies for a change of workplace, and the change must be reported to immigration within 15 days.
Practical tip: If a previous employer is withholding documents or owes wages, the Ministry of Employment and Labor counseling line, 1350, is the right first call, and it offers foreign language support. See the guide to English hotlines in Korea for other numbers worth saving.
Part 2: The D-10 visa
Short answer: The D-10 (구직) is a job-seeker status. For a teacher whose E-2 contract has ended without a next job in place, it provides lawful time in Korea to look for the next position. Former E-1 to E-7 holders are exempt from the D-10 points test, but they receive only 6 months per grant and a maximum of 1 year in total. Teaching on a D-10 is not permitted.
Why the D-10 matters to teachers
The most common situation looks like this: a contract ends, the E-2 is about to expire, and the next job has not been confirmed. Without a status change, the teacher would have to leave Korea. The D-10 allows them to stay legally while searching, interviewing, and completing the paperwork for a new E-2.
The October 2025 reform
The Ministry of Justice reformed the D-10 effective late October 2025. For most applicants, the maximum total stay was extended from two years to three, and renewals moved from six-month to one-year increments. Internship rules were relaxed, and first-time converters from student (D-2) status were exempted from the points test and financial proof on their initial application.
The important part for teachers: those expanded terms do not apply to former holders of professional work visas. Applicants with E-1 to E-7 work experience remain on the older limits of a maximum 6 months per grant and 1 year in total.
Points test exemption for former E-2 holders
Korean-language practitioner guidance based on the official rules describes a points-test exemption for people who:
- held a status from E-1 (professor) through E-7 (special activity),
- whose employment contract expired, or whose work ended for another legitimate reason, and
- who want to keep working in Korea but did not secure a contract renewal or a new employer before their stay expired.
E-6-2 (entertainment) is excluded. For a teacher whose academy contract ended normally, this is the relevant route.
Note on conflicting sources: some English-language guides say former E-series holders must pass the points test. The Korean-language practitioner guidance reviewed for this article describes the E-1 to E-7 career route as exempt. Because this matters for eligibility, confirm with 1345 or the local immigration office before applying.
How the switch works
- Apply before the E-2 expires. The change of status has to be made while the teacher still holds valid status. Letting the E-2 lapse first removes the option.
- Book through HiKorea. Appointments at busy offices fill weeks ahead, particularly in February, March, August, and September.
- Prepare the documents. These typically include the passport, the residence card, the application form, a job search activity plan, proof of address, and evidence that the contract has ended.
- Pay the fee. A change of status to D-10 costs ₩100,000, and an extension costs ₩60,000.
- Search, then switch back. Once a new academy job is confirmed, the teacher changes from D-10 back to E-2, which is another change of status.
What the D-10 does not allow
- No teaching. Teaching at an academy on a D-10 is illegal. An E-2 is required first.
- No regular employment. Full-time work is prohibited on a D-10.
- Limited part-time work for other applicants only. Part-time permission exists for some D-10 applicants with the required Korean language level, but guidance for teachers states that former E-2 holders on the career exemption route do not qualify.
Practical tip: The D-10 is a bridge, not a place to rest. With a 1-year maximum and no right to earn from teaching, it works best when the next job is already in progress. Starting the search two to three months before the contract ends usually means the D-10 is never needed at all.
Part 3: The F-2 visa
Short answer: The F-2 (거주) is a residence status. Unlike the E-2, it is not tied to a single employer, so holders can change jobs, work for more than one employer, and in many cases run a business. For teachers, the realistic route is F-2-7, the points-based residence visa, which requires at least 80 points and a qualifying period of residence on a professional visa.
F-2 is a family of subcategories rather than one visa. Three are relevant to foreign workers.
F-2-7: the points-based residence visa
This is the main route for professionals, and E-2 is within the eligible range.
Who can apply: Korean-language practitioner guidance based on the immigration manual describes eligibility for people currently holding statuses from E-1 (professor) through E-7-1, or D-5 through D-9. That range includes E-2.
Residence requirement: at least 3 years of continuous lawful residence on an eligible professional status as of the application date.
Income fast track: the 3-year requirement is waived where annual income on the official income certificate is ₩40 million or more.
Points: the combined score must be 80 or higher.
How the F-2-7 points work
The table below summarizes the core scoring as described in multiple 2026 practitioner guides. Treat it as orientation rather than a calculator, because the official table has many sub-bands and bonus items.
| Category | Maximum | How points are earned |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 25 | Highest in the 25 to 29 bracket, declining with age |
| Education | 25 | Rises with degree level; STEM and dual degrees score higher |
| Korean ability | 20 | TOPIK level or completed Korea Immigration and Integration Program (KIIP) level |
| Annual income | 60 | Scaled by income band; ₩100 million or more earns the maximum |
| Bonus items | Up to about 40 | Includes items such as KIIP level 5 completion and government recommendation |
| Deductions | Up to about −70 | Immigration violations, fines, criminal matters |
What this means for a typical teacher
Consider a teacher in their late twenties with a bachelor's degree. Age and education together can supply a large share of the points. Income is where teacher salaries hold the score back. For example, a salary of ₩2.5 million a month comes to ₩30 million a year, well below the ₩40 million fast-track figure and in the lower income bands.
That leaves Korean language as the factor most within a teacher's control. It is worth 20 points on its own, and KIIP completion can add bonus points. For most teachers, whether F-2-7 is achievable depends on Korean study more than on anything else.
Practical tip: Keep every year-end withholding receipt from every employer. The F-2-7 application, the bank's remittance desk, and any future permanent residency application all rely on the same official income documents, and getting them from a closed or uncooperative academy years later is difficult.
F-2-R: the regional specialized visa
The F-2-R links residence to living and working in designated population-decline regions. For 2026:
- The Korean language requirement was relaxed from TOPIK level 4 to level 3 from August 3, 2026. KIIP level 3 completion, or placement at level 4 or higher in the KIIP pre-assessment, is also accepted.
- The income standard now references the living wage set by the recommending metropolitan government rather than a percentage of GNI.
- Holders must live and work in the designated region, with the commitment framed around a five-year period and stricter restrictions in the first two years.
Eligibility for current E-2 teachers depends on the program rules and the recommending local government. For a teacher already working at an academy in a designated region, it is worth checking directly with that local government and immigration office.
F-2-99: long-term residence
A long-term residence route exists for people who have lived in Korea continuously for five years or more on eligible statuses, with Korean integration and asset requirements. It is worth knowing about for teachers who have stayed long-term but do not reach 80 points on F-2-7.
What the F-2 allows
- Changing employers without a new sponsorship application
- Working for more than one employer, including teaching at more than one academy
- Working outside teaching in most fields
- A route toward permanent residency
How the three connect: realistic pathways
Short answer: E-2 is the entry point. D-10 is the gap-filler between E-2 contracts. F-2-7 is the exit from being tied to one employer, reached after several years on E-2 plus enough points.
Pathway A: the standard teaching career
E-2 at an academy → contract renewal or new E-2 with a new employer → repeat.
This is the most common path and it works well. Its limit is that every job change depends on an employer's sponsorship.
Pathway B: a gap between contracts
E-2 contract ends → change to D-10 before the E-2 expires → job search (6 months per grant, 1 year maximum) → new offer → change back to E-2.
This route only works if the switch to D-10 happens before the E-2 expires. The D-10 exists to prevent leaving Korea, not to make up for status that has already lapsed.
Pathway C: building toward independence
E-2 for at least three continuous years → study Korean toward TOPIK or KIIP → reach 80 or more points → change to F-2-7 → work without employer sponsorship.
This is the route for teachers who want to stay in Korea long term and eventually do more than teach English.
Pathway D: toward permanent residency
F-2-7 held for three years → F-5-16 permanent residency, which requires income of at least twice the GNI per capita, KIIP level 5 or an equivalent integration exam result, and a clean record.
That income threshold is high for a teaching salary. It is realistic mainly for teachers who move into higher-paid roles or run their own business, which the F-2 permits.
Note: Marriage to a Korean national falls under a separate status, F-6, with its own requirements. It is outside the scope of this guide.
Fees at a glance
| Action | Fee |
|---|---|
| Change of status (for example, E-2 to D-10, D-10 to E-2, E-2 to F-2) | ₩100,000 |
| Extension of stay | ₩60,000 |
| Residence card issuance | ₩35,000, from January 1, 2025 |
Fees change periodically. Check the current schedule on HiKorea before the appointment.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
| Mistake | Consequence | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Letting the E-2 expire before applying for D-10 | No status to change from, so the teacher must leave Korea | Apply for D-10 while the E-2 is still valid |
| Teaching privately on an E-2 or D-10 | Unauthorized employment, with possible fines or removal | Teach only for the registered employer on E-2, and not at all on D-10 |
| Assuming E-2 time automatically qualifies for F-2 | Application refused on points | Calculate points early and plan Korean study |
| Losing year-end income documents | Income cannot be proven, which costs points | File every withholding receipt as it arrives |
| Relying on English-only guides for D-10 | Wrong assumptions about the points test | Confirm the current route with 1345 before applying |
| Waiting for peak season to book | No appointment before the E-2 expires | Book through HiKorea as soon as the plan is clear |
Frequently asked questions
Can an E-2 teacher switch to D-10 inside Korea?
Yes. A teacher whose E-2 contract has ended can apply to change status to D-10 at the local immigration office, provided the E-2 is still valid when applying. The change of status fee is ₩100,000.
Do former E-2 teachers need to pass the D-10 points test?
Korean practitioner guidance based on the official rules describes a points-test exemption for former E-1 to E-7 holders whose contract ended legitimately and who could not secure a renewal or a new employer before their stay expired. Some English-language guides say otherwise, so confirm with 1345.
How long can a teacher stay on a D-10?
Former E-1 to E-7 holders receive a maximum of 6 months per grant and 1 year in total. The longer terms introduced in October 2025 apply to other applicant groups.
Can a teacher teach on a D-10?
No. Teaching at an academy on a D-10 is not permitted. The teacher must change back to E-2 once a new job is confirmed.
Does E-2 time count toward the F-2 visa?
Yes. E-2 falls within the E-1 to E-7 range of eligible professional statuses for F-2-7. The standard requirement is at least 3 years of continuous lawful residence on an eligible status, plus a score of 80 or more.
Can the 3-year requirement for F-2-7 be skipped?
The residence requirement is waived where annual income on the official income certificate is ₩40 million or more. Most academy teaching salaries fall below that figure.
What is the fastest way for a teacher to raise an F-2-7 score?
Korean language ability. It is worth up to 20 points, and KIIP completion can add bonus points. Income is harder to change, and age cannot be changed at all.
Can someone on an F-2 visa teach at more than one academy?
Yes. F-2 is not tied to a single employer, so its holders can work for more than one employer and change jobs without new sponsorship.
Is a letter of release needed to change academies on an E-2?
When a contract ends at its natural term, a letter of release is generally not legally required. Mid-contract moves may need documentation from the previous employer.
What is the difference between F-2-7 and F-2-R?
F-2-7 is points-based and national. F-2-R is linked to living and working in a designated population-decline region, with a regional residence commitment, a Korean language requirement of TOPIK level 3 from August 3, 2026, and an income standard tied to the local living wage.
Can F-2-7 lead to permanent residency?
Yes. The F-5-16 route requires three years on F-2-7, income of at least twice the GNI per capita, KIIP level 5 or an equivalent integration exam result, and a clean record.
The short version
The E-2 lets a teacher work in Korea, but only for one employer. The D-10 covers the gap between jobs, but it is short, it must be applied for before the E-2 expires, and it does not allow teaching. The F-2 removes the link to a single employer, but for teachers it usually takes three years of E-2 residence and serious Korean study to reach the points.
Teachers who want to build a long-term life in Korea can start on the F-2 in their first year: keep every tax document, start Korean classes, and calculate the points early. Three years pass quickly, and the teachers who reach F-2 are usually the ones who planned for it from the start.
Sources
- HiKorea, official immigration portal for applications, appointments, and fee schedules: https://www.hikorea.go.kr
- Korea Immigration Service, D-10 reform notices: https://www.immigration.go.kr/immigration/1542/subview.do
- Korea Law Information Center, F-2-7 points system regulation: https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/admRulInfoP.do?admRulSeq=2100000190908
- Yoon administrative practitioner notes, D-10 change of status and points exemption for E-1 to E-7 holders (Korean): https://yoonhjs.com/d-typevisa2-%EC%A2%85%EA%B5%98%EC%A3%BC%EC%9E%AC%ED%88%AC%EC%9E%90%EA%B2%BD%EC%98%81%EA%B5%AC%EC%A7%81/?mod=document&uid=150
- Yoon administrative practitioner notes, F-2-7 eligibility and residence requirements (Korean): https://yoonhjs.com/f-type-visa-%EB%8F%99%EA%B1%B0%EA%B1%B0%EC%A3%BC%EB%8F%99%EB%B0%98%EC%98%81%EC%A3%BC%EA%B2%B0%ED%98%BC/?mod=document&uid=449
- Talent Link, summary of D-10 changes effective October 2025 (Korean): https://talent-link.co.kr/blog_detail?bg_idx=185
- Seoulstart, D-10 visa guide after the October 2025 reform: https://seoulstart.com/guides/d-10-visa-guide
- Seoulstart, F-2 resident visa guide: https://seoulstart.com/guides/f-2-visa-guide
- Seoulstart, E-2 visa guide: https://seoulstart.com/guides/e-2-visa-guide
- OK Recruiting, D-10 guide for English teachers: https://www.okrecruiting.com/your-go-to-guide-for-south-koreas-d-10-visa-as-an-english-teacher/
- insight administrative office, F-2-7 points and income scoring, August 2026 (Korean): https://insight-b2g.com/columns/f2-7-points-income-score
- JOBPLOY, 2026 regional specialized visa updates including F-2-R: https://www.jobploy.kr/en/content/new-visas-2026-e74r-f2r-f4r
- EPIK, public education program eligibility including India CEPA: https://epik.go.kr
For the residence card that each of these statuses depends on, see the 2026 Korea immigration playbook. For contacting immigration in English, see the guide to English hotlines in Korea, which covers 1345. For the income documents F-2-7 relies on, see the guide to opening a Korean bank account.