ESL Jobs Asia

How to get an English teaching job in South Korea in 2027

Published · Updated · By ESL Jobs Asia

South Korea offers some of the most predictable packages in Asia for English teachers: housing is often included, and national health insurance, pension and severance are written into the law. The visa rules are strict, though, and many private-school jobs go to people who are already in Korea. This guide sums up what we saw while checking Korea job ads for our pack, plus the official rules behind them. It's written for people planning a move in 2027.

Our numbers come from the 43 listings in our South Korea pack, verified as of 2026-10-22. Job ads change fast, so treat every figure as a snapshot, not a promise. Rules change too: always confirm the current requirements with your employer and the official sources linked below.

Requirements: passport, degree, TEFL and background check

Citizenship of an English-speaking country

The E-2 (foreign language instructor) visa is for native speakers of the language they teach. EPIK, the government public school programme, explains that because of the E-2 rules it can only accept citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK and the US who have studied in English from at least 7th grade through university, plus Indian citizens under a separate agreement with a teaching certificate (EPIK FAQ). Some private schools in our pack narrow this further, for example to the US and Canada only.

A bachelor's degree

You need a bachelor's degree, earned in one of those countries, with an apostille (Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs: E-2 visa).

A TEFL certificate

Many hagwons (private academies) don't require one, but it improves your options. For EPIK, a degree plus a TEFL, TESOL or CELTA of at least 100 hours, a teaching licence or a degree in education or TESOL puts you at pay level 2 or above (EPIK: salary and benefits).

Documents you'll be asked for

  • A national-level criminal record check with an apostille. EPIK wants it dated within six months of your contract start, and a US applicant's FBI check must be apostilled by the US Department of State (EPIK required documents guide). A criminal record generally rules out the E-2.
  • Your apostilled degree (or apostilled diploma copy), and transcripts for some employers.
  • A health statement, plus drug and HIV tests that may be required when you register as a foreign resident after arrival (MOFA: E-2 visa).

Visa basics

Your school or EPIK sponsors you. You collect the documents, the employer files them, and you then apply for the E-2 visa at a Korean embassy or consulate. After arrival you register for an alien registration card. Rules can differ slightly between embassies, so check your local Korean embassy's E-2 page.

Many of the best-paid hagwon and adult-education jobs in our pack only accept people already in Korea who can transfer an E-2 or hold an F visa. If you're overseas, your main options are EPIK, franchise schools and kindergartens, and recruiter-placed hagwons. Working on a tourist visa isn't legal.

Typical salary ranges

These are ranges stated in the ads we checked, monthly and before deductions unless noted. EPIK's figures come from the programme itself.

Pay stated in South Korea ESL job ads, verified as of 2026-10-22
Type of jobWhat the ads said
EPIK public schoolsKRW 2.2 to 2.8 million per month depending on pay level and region; level 2 starts at KRW 2.2 to 2.35 million. Seoul uses its own scale (EPIK).
Hagwons (private academies)About KRW 2.3 to 3.0 million is the norm. Experienced teachers or busy areas such as Gangnam and Bundang reach about KRW 3.1 to 4.0 million.
UniversitiesAbout KRW 35 to 36 million per year, usually with a master's degree and university teaching experience required.
Adult and corporate EnglishAbout KRW 2.4 to 3.8 million per month.
Winter campsPaid per hour or per camp, for example KRW 42,000 per hour, or KRW 3.3 to 4.8 million for a 3 to 4 week camp.

A useful check: from 1 January 2027 Korea's minimum wage is KRW 10,700 per hour, or KRW 2,236,300 per month on the standard 209-hour full-time basis (Ministry of Employment and Labor). If a full-time offer is close to that figure, ask how the hours and pay are calculated.

Types of jobs

  • Hagwons: private academies for children and teens. The biggest group. Afternoon and evening hours, often about 10 to 15 paid days off plus national holidays.
  • English kindergartens and franchise schools: daytime hours, often hire from overseas.
  • EPIK public schools: government programme with fixed pay scales, orientation and school-calendar hours.
  • Universities: usually require a master's degree and 2 to 3 years of university teaching.
  • Adult, corporate and camp work: often for people already in Korea.

Some private schools in our pack are faith-based and require Christian faith or church attendance. Read the requirements carefully.

Cost of living and what packages cover

Korean packages usually cover your biggest cost, housing. From EPIK's published benefits and the ads we checked:

  • Housing. EPIK provides a leased apartment or studio; utilities and maintenance fees are paid by the teacher. Hagwons almost always offer free furnished single housing or a housing allowance (about KRW 300,000 to 600,000 per month in the ads we saw).
  • Health insurance and pension. These are compulsory, with the employer paying half. EPIK puts medical insurance at about 5.89% of salary, half of it deducted from your pay (EPIK).
  • Severance. About one month's pay after completing a 12-month contract is standard in hagwon ads and at EPIK.
  • Arrival costs. EPIK pays a one-time KRW 300,000 settlement allowance, plus an entrance allowance of KRW 1.8 million (KRW 1.3 million in Chungbuk) that is a loan if you leave within six months. Many hagwons pay a one-way flight.

Seoul rents are much higher than in smaller cities, which matters if you take a housing allowance instead of an apartment. Bring enough savings to cover a deposit, utilities and your first month before payday. Our first-two-weeks arrival guide covers residence registration, the health check and opening a bank account.

How hiring works, and when

  • March 2027 starts. Late October is the peak for the March intake at hagwons, private schools and universities, with a smaller wave of December and January starts and winter camp jobs.
  • EPIK. Applications for spring 2027 opened on 1 August 2026 and use rolling admission, so earlier is better (EPIK: how to apply). EPIK's orientation is mandatory and unpaid.
  • Universities mostly closed their spring applications between late September and early November.
  • The process. Application and video interview, then gathering apostilled documents, which can take weeks, especially the criminal record check. Start that early. Our interview tips guide covers the interview itself.

How to spot scams and bad offers

We saw no upfront-fee scams in the Korea listings we checked, but a lot of low-quality and evasive ads:

  • Anonymous recruiter templates, such as "Nice teaching position in...", reposted dozens of times with no school named.
  • Ads with no city, hours or pay, just hype.
  • Missing statutory benefits. An ad that leaves out health insurance, pension or severance needs questions.
  • Pool recruitment with no guaranteed hours, or ads posted by a departing teacher rather than the school.
  • Any fee to get hired. A real employer doesn't charge you for a job (FTC: Job scams).

Before you sign, ask to speak to a current foreign teacher, check the school's name and address independently, and get salary, hours, housing, insurance, pension and severance written into the contract.

FAQ

Do I need a degree to teach English in South Korea?

Yes. The E-2 visa requires a bachelor's degree from an English-speaking country, with an apostille. Universities usually want a master's degree as well.

Which countries can get an E-2 visa to teach English?

EPIK lists citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK and the US who studied in English from 7th grade through university, plus Indian citizens with a teaching certificate under a separate agreement.

How much do English teachers earn in South Korea?

In the ads we checked in October 2026, hagwons usually paid about KRW 2.3 to 3.0 million a month, with experienced roles up to about 4.0 million. EPIK pays KRW 2.2 to 2.8 million depending on level and region. Housing is often included.

Is EPIK still hiring for 2027?

Yes. EPIK opened spring 2027 applications on 1 August 2026 with rolling admission, so applying early improves your chances.

Do I need a TEFL certificate?

Not for every hagwon, but EPIK uses a 100-hour or longer TEFL, TESOL or CELTA (or a teaching licence or education degree) to place you at pay level 2 or above.

Does buying a job pack guarantee a job?

No. Our packs are curated lists of public job postings with links to the originals; you apply directly to employers. We are not a recruiter, and there is no job or visa guarantee.

Sources

This guide is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Rules and job ads change; confirm details with your employer and the official sources.