So I returned to teach in the public school sector of South Korea for the second time.
There are plenty of websites and videos giving information on where to teach, what schools to teach in, how much you can earn, cultural aspects to have in mind, and so much more. However, I have not seen how much getting the E-2 visa can cost.
Allow me to share my expenses. One thing though, I didn't keep all the receipts, so there are probably some costs I've overlooked/forgotten. Nonetheless, this should give you an idea of how much you may spend to ultimately get your E-2 visa for South Korea.
Brace yourself, here we go:
Fingerprint cards at the Sheriff's Office/Police Station: $5/fingerprint card (I got 2)
Delivering fingerprint card to Approved Channeler: $6.65
FBI Criminal Background Check (through approved channeler): $39.95
Apostille fee for FBI CBC: $52.50 ($2.50 tax included)
To send FBI CBC to get it apostilled: $6.65
Copy of my university diploma and getting it both notarized and apostilled: $65
Passport pictures (each pair): $7.44 (I got 3 sets)
Sending all the documents to South Korea to get my contract and notice of appointment: $92.63
Visa Application fee: $45 (money order at the Post Office = $46.20)
Overnight Priority Express to Korean embassy + SASE of the same kind: $47.70
IRS Residency (for Americans to not pay taxes in Korea) fee: $85
Total: $389.60 (or $474.60 if you add the IRS Residency fee)
IRS Residency (for Americans to not pay taxes in Korea) fee: $85
Total: $389.60 (or $474.60 if you add the IRS Residency fee)
Not to insult your intelligence, but the process is not cheap, but considering you can earn +$2,000 USD per month and you can easily save half (depending on your spending habits and if you have debt or not), I'd say it pays for itself over and over again.
As the saying goes, "It takes money to make money." Getting your E-2 visa for South Korea is yet another example of that.
Around how much did you have to pay, especially as a non-American?
