Required Documents

Required Documents
(this is as exhaustive as it gets)

Each of the following documents must be submitted, only after a successful
interview, in order to be recommended to an Office of Education for a teaching
position with EPIK. You will only be requested to send each of these documents if
you have passed your interview. Keep in mind, requirements may vary depending
on which country you’re from. In general, all potential applicants must submit the
following:

① Application Form

② Copy of Passport Information Page

③ Passport Sized Photo

④ Apostilled CRC

⑤ Apostilled Diploma

⑥ Sealed Transcripts

⑦ Two Original Recommendation Letters

⑧ Proof of Level 2 Pay Grade (required)

⑨ Additional Documents (optional)

⑩ In-country Applicants

⑪ Ethnic Korean Applicants Only

⑫ UK/Australian Applicants Only

⑬ Copies









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① Application form:

Successful applicants must submit one hard copy of the full, completed application form with the required documents. The application form must be filled out entirely and correctly, with any changes to the application that were discussed during the interview properly addressed. During the interview, it’s recommended to have a copy of the application form in front of you. Your interviewer will go over the application form with you and inform you if there are any changes that need to be made.

One page of the application requires an ink signature: the Consent for Verification and Statement of Truth page. Applicants must fill out the application electronically, print it off, and sign this section in ink where indicated.


② Copy of passport information page:

Each applicant must submit a copy of the information page of their passport (photo page), preferably in color.


③ Passport sized photo:

Applicants should submit one professional/passport quality photo of the applicant’s face and shoulders. This can be attached to the application with a paperclip and should fit into the photo box provided on the first page of the application.


④ Apostilled CRC:

The Criminal Record Check (also known as a “Police Certificate”) must be issued by your national police authority. CRCs issued by police authorities below the national level will not be accepted. The CRC cannot be older than 6 months from when you plan to apply for your visa (usually one month prior to your contract start date). Any CRC that is older will not be accepted.

Your national level check must match your primary citizenship. However, if you are
currently living abroad in one of the other countries EPIK recruits from, and have lived there for over 2 years, you will need to provide an additional, national level check from that country as well. For example, if you are an American citizen living in the U.K, you must have both the FBI check and the Disclosure Scotland. The only exception to this would be Korean nationals with permanent residency in one of the 7 countries. In that case, they would need the CRC in the country where they have permanent residency and not need to get a Korean CRC.

Once you have the CRC, you must have an apostille affixed to the original by the appropriate government office and submit the apostilled original with all of your required documents. Applicants from the United States must submit an FBI background check. Please be aware that the FBI check can take up to 12 weeks to receive, so we advise that you apply for it early. Applicants should visit the FBI’s website (Federal Bureau of Investigation) for specific information on how to apply for a CRC. The FBI does not issue apostilles for the background check; you will have to submit it to either your Secretary of State (if they will apostille federal documents) or the Department of Authentications in Washington, DC. More information on apostilles can be found at the bottom of the “Apostilled diploma” section.

US applicants often run into a lengthy process when applying for their FBI background check. As it can be a long process to obtain an FBI CRC and apostille, we highly recommend applying for it as soon as possible. Here is a guide for US applicants to obtain the FBI check and apostille:

Apostilled FBI Criminal Record Check (CRC)

You must begin applying for this document AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. It can take anywhere from 7-12 weeks to acquire your CRC and as stated before, timing is imperative throughout this process. There are a few steps you must take to obtain an FBI background check. Here is a direct link to the FBI website:


First, you must get your fingerprints taken. Fingerprints can be acquired through your local police station, contact them for further details on requirements and procedures. You can print the fingerprint form through the FBI link below. You also must print the CRC Application, fill it out completely and include your form of payment. If you choose to pay with credit card, you must include a completed credit card payment form. The FBI website also provides you with a checklist to ensure you don't forget anything. We recommend you print this and double check that you have everything before you mail in your application packet.

FBI Criminal Record Check Application Form (answer the question to receive the download link)

Another option would be to apply for an FBI criminal record check through one of their approved channelers. This option is faster, but will cost more money. If you use this option, please confirm with the channeler before ordering that the results can be printed on blue paper and that it can be apostilled.


The FBI clarifies how to obtain an apostille on the background check. They state in their Frequently Asked Questions:

Does the FBI provide apostilles*?

(*An apostille is a certification that a document has been “legalized” or “authenticated” by the issuing agency through a process in which various seals are placed on the document.)

The CJIS Division will authenticate U.S. Department of Justice Order 556-73 fingerprint search results for international requests by placing the FBI seal and the signature of a division official on the results. Documents may then be sent to the U.S. Department of State by the requester to obtain an apostille if necessary.




Once you have everything, you should mail your application and additional documents here:

FBI CJIS Division--Record Request
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, WV 26306

It can take anywhere from 7-12 weeks to receive your FBI CRC. Once you receive your CRC, you must then send it to the U.S. Department of State's Office of Authentications to obtain an apostille on the original FBI CRC.

Information on how to obtain an apostille can be found here:

NOTES when filling the form needed for mail in requests:
Section 1: You can put 'individual' for 'case type'.
Section 2: You will answer 'No' and leave the rest of the section blank.
Section 3: Please list how you want it to be mailed back to you.
Section 4: Be sure to list 'South Korea' for the country and 'FBI Criminal Background Record' as the document type.


There are extra pages in the document for if you have numerous documents you need authenticated and also an instructions page. You do not need to include these when you mail in your request.

Additionally, for a quicker turn-around include a stamped, self-addressed return envelope. You also must include payment of $8 for the authentication fee. The address to send all of this to is provided on the website and is as follows:

Office of Authentications
U.S. Department of State
CA/PPT/S/TO/AUT
1st Floor
1150 Passport Services PL
Dulles, VA 20189-1150

All applicants should use the links below to find out where to get a National level background check in their country:

National Background Check Providers By Country

Australia
Canada
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (inquire with your local police station)
Ireland
New Zealand
South Africa
The United Kingdom
Disclosure Scotland (apply for the Basic Disclosure)
The United States
Federal Bureau of Investigation (request an authenticated CRC)

⑤ Apostilled Diploma:

Successful applicants must submit a notarized and apostilled copy of their Bachelor’s degree. First, a copy of the diploma should be made and then the copy must be notarized. Only then will you be able to get the necessary apostille attached. The apostille will be affixed to the notarized copy of the diploma by the government agency issuing the apostille. Apostilles are a form of notarization that makes a document acceptable internationally. Korean law requires degrees and background checks to
have an apostille attached to any notarized document in order to prove its
authenticity.

※ NOTE: EPIK cannot return any documents after they have been submitted, so please do not submit apostilled original diplomas.

Applicants who are currently completing their Bachelor’s degree MUST submit the apostilled copy of their degree (and all other missing or incomplete documents) to the EPIK office ONE MONTH prior to the contract start date. For example, if you will be applying for a position in February, you must submit your apostilled degree by late-January. If this is not possible, you must apply for a later start date or defer your application until the next term. If you planned to have it in time and receive a position with EPIK and then subsequently fail to get the document by the deadline, your position with EPIK for that term will be revoked.

Missing or Incomplete Document Deadlines
Preferred Start Date
Document submission deadline
February
Late-January
March
Late-February
April
Late-March
August
Late -July
September
Late-August
October
Late-September
※ These are approximate dates. Exact document deadline dates will be provided during the interview phase.


Apostille information:

The only documents that need to be apostilled are the national level CRC and notarized copy of your undergraduate degree. If you are submitting a M.A degree as proof of a level 2 qualification or for a pay level increase, that must also be apostilled.

※ NOTE: Canada does not adhere to the Hague Apostille Convention. Therefore, Canadian applicants must 1) have their documents first notarized by a notary public, then 2) submit that notarized copy to the nearest Korean embassy or consulate for final notarization (no apostille).

All documents must have the apostille from the country where the document originated from. For example, an undergraduate degree issued from an American university must have the apostille from one of the 50 states. It does not need an apostille from the specific state.
※ NOTE: US Citizens may get their diplomas apostilled at their Secretary of State. In regards to the FBI CRC, US applicants should first inquire to their state’s Secretary of State to see if they will apostille a federal document. If so, it is much faster to take it in to the Secretary of State than sending it to the Department of Authentications in
Washington, DC. However, some states will not apostille a federal document, in which case, you will need to send it to the Department of Authentications for the apostille to be attached. If you wish to be considered for a placement in Seoul, then you MUST have the apostille attached by the Department of Authentications in Washington, D.C. Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education will not accept state level apostilles.



Apostille Providers By Country

Australia
Canada
Not Applicable. Documents must be notarized by a notary public, and then authenticated at a Korean Consulate or Embassy.
Ireland
New Zealand
South Africa
The United Kingdom
The United States
U.S. Department of State (for FBI CRCs only)



⑥ Sealed transcripts:

Successful applicants must submit one copy of sealed, final transcripts. Transcripts must reflect all coursework and credits earned that were applied toward the degree. If
you transferred schools, your transcripts should reflect the credits earned at every institution. If they do not, you must submit sealed transcripts from each institution where credits were obtained (this excludes study abroad programs). Transcripts must be sealed. Please DO NOT have the school mail transcripts to the EPIK office directly. Please submit the sealed transcripts along with the other required documents.
Although EPIK only requires applicants to submit one set of transcripts, some Korean consulates or embassies may also require sealed transcripts to be submitted with E-2 visa applications (inquire at the consulate or embassy where you will be obtaining your visa). Therefore, it would be prudent to order at least two sets of transcripts.

※ NOTE: Current or recent students who have not completed their studies by the time of document submission must submit a current copy of their transcripts when submitting documents and then another copy of their complete transcripts by the document deadline.


⑦ Letters of Recommendation:

Applicants are required to submit the original hard copies of both letters of recommendation that were submitted electronically with the initial application. There are very specific requirements for the letter’s contents. Please pay careful attention to the letter of recommendation requirements outlined below. Each letter of recommendation must include:

Must be from a supervisor, professor, academic advisor, co-teacher, or other professional source. The referee cannot be a friend, family member, or co-worker

Your referees must not be from the same company/organization if at all possible. The only exception to this would be for current students. In that case, both LoRs can come from your current university. In addition, if you are currently in school or just recently graduated, then we prefer at least one letter from an academic source.

Must be on letterhead or the referee’s business card must be attached

Letters should have the name of the referee and their title. It must also be signed with ink. Electronic signatures are not acceptable.

The contact information of the referee must be on the LoR. Ideally, both phone number and email should be on the letter, but only 1 is necessary

The LoR must be dated and can be no older than 2 years from the time of application

Be in Korean or English


Be 1-2 pages in length

The LoR should be addressed to “Whom it May Concern” or to the “EPIK Team.” LoRs addressed to various recruiters will not be accepted

Include the applicant’s full first and last name

Clearly state the relationship between the referee and the applicant, including the length and nature of the relationship

Speak to the applicant’s strengths and weaknesses relevant to teaching English in Korea

Include any other relevant information

Current teachers in Korea must provide one LoR from their current school. Schools in Korea do not normally have letterhead so the letter must have the school’s stamp along with the ink signature of the referee

We cannot accept LoRs from online TEFL course providers.

Please refer to the National EPIK Application Instructions file in the “Apply Now” section of our website to find a sample template.

⑧ Proof of Level 2 Pay Grade (Required):

Although applicants can be a level 3 to apply to EPIK, the Offices of Education require all applicants to be at a level 2 or higher before signing the final contract.
There are various ways for an applicant to be considered a level 2 on the pay scale.

One of the following is required in order to be a level 2 or higher:

1) Teacher’s/TEFL/TESOL/CELTA Certificate

Applicants who have or will be completing one of these certifications must submit a copy of their completion certificate NO LATER than one month prior to their arrival date (see missing document deadline table under ‘apostilled diploma’.) If an applicant does not complete their course and provide the required copy of their completion certificate by the designated date, the applicant’s position will be revoked.

Certificates must clearly state the number of hours for the course. If they do not, the applicant must provide proof of the number of hours (e.g. by submitting transcripts, a letter from the course director, or a copy of an online description of the course). Only certificates with 100 or more hours will qualify applicants for a possible higher pay level.

IMPORTANT NOTE: As the standards of English education in Korea become higher, each Office of Education is requiring more qualified teachers. It is highly recommended to complete at least 20 hours of your TEFL course “in-class.”

****For applicants who wish to teach in Busan, the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education will only recognize TEFL/TESOL certificates that have at least a 50 hour in-class component. Applicants who are a level 2 because of a TEFL/TESOL certificate with under a 50 hour in-class component, may either be recommended to Busan as a level 3 applicant OR to any other location as a level 2.
If you have a teaching license, submit a photocopy of it and bring the original with you to Korea. Teaching licenses must be current and valid for the duration of the EPIK contract in order for applicants to be eligible for a higher pay level.

2) Bachelor’s degree in Education, English Language/Literature or Linguistics

Applicants who have a Bachelor’s degree in one of the subjects listed above
automatically qualify for a level 2 pay grade. As such, these applicants must submit a notarized and apostilled copy of their diploma AND one set of sealed transcripts for the degree. For more information, see the “Apostilled diploma” section.

3) 1 year full-time teaching experience with Bachelor’s degree in any discipline

If you have a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline AND one year of full-time teaching experience at an accredited institution you qualify as a level 2 on the pay scale. As proof of your level 2 status, applicants must submit a “proof of teaching experience” letter along with their required documents. There are very specific requirements of a “proof of teaching experience” letter.

※NOTE: Substitute teaching experience is not acknowledged for a pay level increase.

Please refer to the National EPIK Application Instructions file in the “Apply Now” section of our website to find a sample template.

4) Master’s degree in any discipline/Juris Doctor

If you have a Master’s degree in any discipline or a Juris Doctor, you qualify as a level 2 pay grade. Applicants who are using their Master’s degree or Juris Doctor as proof of their level 2 status must submit a notarized and apostilled copy of their Master’s diploma or Juris Doctor AND one set of sealed transcripts for the degree.

5) 1 year TaLK scholar experience


Applicants who have previously or are currently completing a TaLK contract of a minimum of 1 year automatically qualify for a level 2 pay grade. TaLK teachers must submit a “proof of teaching experience” letter in order to prove their TaLK experience.

⑨Additional documents:

Depending on a variety of factors, applicants may need to submit one of the following additional documents. Your EPIK Coordinator or recruiter will notify you if you need to submit one of the following:

1) Copy of citizenship and a copy of legal residence certificate (for Korean citizens only)

If you are a Korean citizen and have legal residency in one of the seven designated countries where English is the primary language, you must provide a copy of your Citizenship/Legal Residence Certificate.

2) Proof of English Education (for Korean citizens only)

If you are a Korean citizen and have legal residency in one of the seven designated countries where English is the primary language, you must provide documentation to prove that you have studied in one of the seven designated countries beginning from middle school (7th grade). Applicants must submit sealed transcripts of their complete academic record from every institution they attended beginning from their 7th grade year.

If you are unable to obtain transcripts, consult with the EPIK office to determine the appropriate documentation to prove your English education.

3) Region Specific Documents

Depending on where you wish to be recommended to, that specific Office of Education may ask for additional documentation. Your EPIK Coordinator or recruiter will give you the necessary documents to fill out.

4) Education Completed at International Schools

If any of your education was completed outside of your home-country, then proof of your schooling must be submitted in order to prove the school’s accreditation and English curriculum.

⑩ In-country applicants

In-country applicants have a number of additional requirements they must complete. In
addition to each of the general, required documents, in-country applicants should submit each of the following:

1) Korean Criminal Record Check
2) Copy of Alien Registration Card
3) Copy of Korean visa

1) All applicants applying from within Korea must submit a Korean criminal record check. You should visit a main law enforcement branch (district or provincial) and ask for a Korean criminal record check for “personal use” (개인용). You should only need your Alien Registration Card and the required fee, but it would be best to call ahead of time to check and see if additional documents are required. The process takes approximately 10-15 minutes, including the time needed to fill out the paperwork. Results will either be given to you that day or mailed to your home. Processing times can be different from district to district. It would be best to go with
someone who speaks Korean (co-teacher, friend, etc.).

2) Any applicant applying from within Korea needs to submit a copy of the back AND front of their Alien Registration Card. The copy can be in black/white or color.

3) Any applicant applying from within Korea needs to submit a copy of the visa page in their passport. The copy can be in black/white or color.

Diploma and Background Checks for In-Country Applicants

Applicants who are currently teaching at a public school with EPIK or private academy (hagwon) may be able to get an official copy of their national background check and diploma they submitted for their current teaching position. If you are currently working for the EPIK program you should visit your Office of Education and request an official copy of your national level background check and diploma. If they are able to give you an official copy, you must be sure they copy every page of the documents (make sure if there is something on the back, it also gets copied). Then, the provider must include a specific stamp (원본대조필), signature and note of where exactly you are getting the copy from (ex. Gyeongbuk Office of Education, Busan Office of Education etc.) on every page of the copies. If you can get this, then you do NOT need to get a new background check or copy of the apostilled diploma.

TaLK scholars can also get these copies, however, a formal request should be made to your Office of Education. TaLK scholars are unable to receive these copies themselves, so after requesting them from your MOE/POE, the Office of Education must send them directly to your EPIK Coordinator.

If you are currently working at a private academy/hagwon, you may be able to use previously submitted national level background checks and apostilled diplomas. Please email us at epikcoordinator@gmail.com for specific instructions on how to get these documents prepared.

⑪ Ethnic Korean Applicants Only

If you’re ethnically Korean and your father was a Korean citizen at the time of your birth, the Korean government may consider you a dual citizen (even if you’ve never been to Korea). It is important that all ethnic Koreans contact the nearest Korean embassy or consulate to determine if they are a dual citizen. Additionally, there is a helpful document with more information located at the bottom of the ‘Apply Now’ section of our website.

⑫ UK/Australian Applicants Only

Keeping Korean children safe is of the utmost importance to the Ministry of Education and the EPIK program. As such, EPIK requires all British and Australian applicants to provide an apostilled copy of their birth certificate, in addition to the other required documents. This is strictly for identity verification purposes in accordance to name change regulations in the respected countries. If you immigrated to either country, you must provide immigration or naturalization papers. Birth certificates that are apostilled with any other document, such as a university degree, will not be accepted. We appreciate your understanding in this matter.


⑬ Copies:

You must also submit a photocopy of ALL the documents/apostilles you submit to EPIK, along with the actual originals/apostilles. The only document you will not submit a copy of is your transcripts, which must remain sealed.

Important Note: When copying apostilled documents, you may fold the document, but DO NOT remove the staple or detach the apostille after it has been affixed by the government office. If an apostille appears to have been removed and reattached to the document, it is considered invalid.

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