Pets are not allowed through EPIK.

An in-class component is only required for placement in the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education as they require that any TEFL/TESOL/CELTA/etc certification of 100 or more hours contain at least 50- or more hours of in-class instruction.

For other locations, this is not a requirement, but an in-class component often offers better preparation for teaching in Korea, so applicants should consider that when choosing their certification course.

As all terms are independent of each other, you would have to reapply to the program for the following term should you withdraw from the current term and wish to apply for the next term. Please note that withdrawal after final placement would result in the inability to apply for the following two terms.

You may apply with a dependent (spouse and/or children). There is a section on the application form for you to list each dependent. However, no special consideration will be made for applicants with dependents in regards to the size of housing, and applicants will be responsible for all matters regarding their dependents including visa procurement.

All applicants are required to be at least a level 2 or higher on our pay scale. Please view the pay scale under "Job Descriptions > Salary & Benefits > Pay Scale" to check if you currently qualify for level 2 or higher. 

For those without a degree in education, a valid teacher's license/certificate, or a year of TaLK experience, a TEFL/TESOL/CELTA/etc. certification of at least 100 or more hours would be required to qualify as level 2.

Applicants may apply for the program before they have completed any of the above requirements, but must meet one of these requirements and submit proof of such no later than 1.5 months prior to the contract start date. 

No. Unfortunately, a copy of the final certification is a required document and must be submitted no later than six weeks prior to the contract start date.

No. All degrees must be obtained from institutions in one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

* Indian applicants under CEPA should similarly complete their degrees within India or one of the above countries.

Yes, as long as the channeler is one of the official FBI-approved channelers (you can find this information on the FBI website) we will accept the check. The check received must be eligible for apostille, so all applicants using channelers should inquire regarding this with the channeler they have chosen to use.

EPIK does not have a preference for one certification, company, or accredation over another. We cannot provide any recommendation for specific courses. EPIK suggests you choose a course that suits your preferences, needs, and budget. If you have a question as to whether a certain program or certification will be recogtnized by EPIK, please send an inquiry including a link to the certification program to epik@korea.kr.

Applicants who currently work in Korea are able to submit certified copies of documents when applying or re-applying to EPIK. For more information, visit the Required documents page (Application > Required documents) and click on the "documents for In-Country Applicants" tab.

After you have been successfully placed, EPIK will provide you with the necessary documents needed to apply for your E2 visa. You will need to apply for the E2 visa with your local Korean Embassy or Consulate. It may take up to two weeks for the visa to be processed. For more details, please check with the Korean Embassy/Consulate nearest you.

You cannot apply for the visa until after we send you the necessary documents for the visa application. Typically, these are sent to you in January (Spring term) or July (Fall term). Those applying for an F4 or F6 visa may apply at anytime as long as the period of their visa will be valid for the duration of their EPIK contract.

Most people will apply for the standard E-2 visa after final placement with the program. Ethnic Koreans are eligible for either an F-4 visa which can be obtained without documentation from EPIK or for an E-2 visa which requires EPIK provided visa documentation following placement. Applicants with Korean spouses are also eligible for an F-6 visa.

You can list one preferred Office of Education (ex. Gyeongbuk) on the application form. We will try our best to place you in your preferred location. However, placement in any specific office of education is not guaranteed and depends on a variety of factors such as the availability of positions, the needs and requirements of each office of education, and the timing of when we receive your final documentation for recommendation, etc.

You will only know the school and specific location within the metropolitan /provincial office of education you have been placed in after arriving in Korea and completing the mandatory orientation. When you meet your Office of Education’s supervisors at the orientation, that is when you will be given specific information.

If you withdraw after receiving final approval, you will be prohibited from applying to EPIK for two consecutive terms following the term of your withdrawal. Withdrawing from the application process before final placement has no negative consequence.

Due to current E-2 visa laws, EPIK teachers must be citizens of one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

 * 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 cannot be fulfilled by a TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate).

EPIK’s minimum educational requirements state that an applicant's schooling from at least 7th grade and through university must have been conducted in English and at a school that is within one of the countries listed above. Those that have attended English-medium, accredited international schools abroad may also be eligible but will require further documentation.

Korean citizens can apply for EPIK if they hold permanent residency status or dual citizenship status in one of the above mentioned countries.

If you are in your final semester, you are able to apply for the EPIK program if you are able to submit your apostilled diploma no later than 1.5 months prior to the start of your contract.

We are able to recommend applicants with a "letter of expected graduation" but must have the apostilled diploma to finalize your application process no later than 1.5 months before the contract start date. Some schools may only be able to provide you with your diploma weeks after your official graduation, so this is something you will want to research in advance. It is up to you to find out whether you will receive your diploma with enough time to have an apostilled copy made and sent to us by the deadline mentioned above.

For applicants without a bachelor degree and who do not plan to obtain one, unfortunately, this is a mandatory requirement for eligibility to the program.