What can and can't I do with an E-2 (Foreign Language Instructor) visa?

With E-2 (Foreign Language Instructor), you can only teach foreign language conversation at designated institutions. Activities outside this scope need prior permission or are not allowed at all.

✅ What you can do

• You can teach students how to talk with each other in a foreign language¹.
• You can work at these places¹.
• Foreign language academies (including academies with online classes)
• Schools at elementary level or above and their affiliated language research institutes
• Language training centers attached to broadcasters and companies
• Lifelong education facilities and vocational training facilities that meet the standards
• Companies and public institutions with classrooms for employee training
• Unpaid volunteer activities do not need separate permission. Conversation classes at schools, religious facilities, and community centers (주민센터) are examples².

❌ What you can't do

• Teaching linguistics, literature, or interpretation and translation skills is not considered conversation instruction¹.
• Even volunteer classes cannot be done without permission if they become your main activity. The same applies if they go beyond the allowed standards².
• In general, you must not work at a place that is not your registered workplace. Private tutoring and a side job at another academy are examples. You must get permission first before changing or adding a workplace.

⚠️ Things to watch out for

• Some companies send instructors out to teach for one-third or more of their monthly teaching hours. For such companies, permission for activities outside your status of sojourn may be restricted³.
• If you have a criminal record, permission for conversation instruction is in principle not granted².
• Working without permission can be a violation of your stay status. If you are already in that situation, try the K-VISA AI Administrative Agent consultation (Visa Service in the app).

Please confirm the final details at HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or the Foreign Resident Help Center (외국인종합안내센터) at 1345.