What Korea Actually Accepts
Korean immigration accepts three UK criminal record documents for the E-2 teaching visa: Basic DBS (England, Wales, Northern Ireland), Disclosure Scotland Basic Disclosure (Scotland), and ACRO Police Certificate (alternative, less common). Basic DBS is now the standard route — it is faster and cheaper than ACRO. All three require an FCDO apostille before submission.
Important
The DBS or ACRO certificate must be issued within 6 months of your contract start date in Korea. Time the request so the apostille completes 2–3 months before departure — too early and the certificate expires, too late and you miss the visa deadline.
Basic DBS vs Enhanced DBS — Critical Distinction
Basic DBS is the level Korea accepts. Enhanced DBS is a more intrusive check used for UK roles working with children or vulnerable adults inside the UK; it is not required by Korean immigration. Applying for Enhanced DBS by mistake is the most common error UK teachers make. Always select Basic DBS on gov.uk.
Step 1: Apply for Basic DBS
Apply directly through the UK government: gov.uk/request-copy-criminal-record.
- Select Basic DBS (not Enhanced).
- Provide your full legal name, date of birth, and address history.
- Pay the £25 fee.
- Receive your certificate by post or email — typically within 14 days.
Scotland residents: Use Disclosure Scotland Basic Disclosure at the same fee and timeline. It is the Scottish equivalent and is accepted by Korean immigration.
ACRO as an Alternative
ACRO Police Certificate is the alternative route, designed for international disclosures. It is accepted by Korea but is generally slower and slightly more expensive than Basic DBS:
- Apply at acro.police.uk and specify "South Korea E-2 Teaching Visa" as the purpose.
- Pay £25–35 (varies by service tier).
- Standard processing: 2–4 weeks. Premium options available for faster turnaround.
- You will receive the certificate by email or post.
Korvia Tip
For most UK teachers, Basic DBS via gov.uk is the recommended route — it is faster, cheaper, and accepted by Korean immigration on equal footing with ACRO. Only choose ACRO if you specifically need its international format or if you have lived abroad continuously for an extended period.
Step 2: FCDO Apostille
Once you have your DBS, ACRO, or Disclosure Scotland certificate, send it to the FCDO Legalisation Office for apostille. This is the UK government authentication that proves the certificate is genuine.
The FCDO Process
- Download the apostille request form from gov.uk/get-document-legalised.
- Mail the original certificate, request form, and £30 fee to the FCDO.
- Use Royal Mail Special Delivery or a tracked courier — never regular post.
- FCDO standard service: 2 working days plus return shipping. Premium next-day service is available for an additional fee if you are time-pressured.
Realistic Timeline by Route
| Stage | Time | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Basic DBS (gov.uk) | ~14 days | £25 |
| Disclosure Scotland (Scotland equivalent) | ~14 days | £25 |
| ACRO Police Certificate (alternative) | 2–4 weeks (faster with premium) | £25–35 |
| FCDO apostille — standard | 2 working days + shipping | £30 |
| FCDO apostille — premium | Next-day (additional fee) | £30 + premium fee |
Total Time Scenarios (Apostille Only)
The numbers below cover the certificate + FCDO apostille only. The E-2 visa application at the Korean Embassy is a separate process.
- Best case (Basic DBS + FCDO premium): approximately 2 weeks
- Standard case (Basic DBS + FCDO standard): approximately 3 weeks
- ACRO route (standard): 4–6 weeks
After Apostille: E-2 Visa Application (Separate Process)
Once the FCDO apostille is attached, the document is fully authenticated. The Korean Embassy in London (or the consulate with jurisdiction over your UK residence) does not re-authenticate the apostille — they simply accept it as part of your E-2 visa application packet. The E-2 visa application is a separate process from the apostille; it is covered in our E-2 visa guide.
Other Documents You'll Need for the E-2 Visa
- Apostilled Basic DBS, ACRO, or Disclosure Scotland certificate (issued within 6 months of contract start)
- Apostilled university diploma — apostilled by the FCDO after notarisation
- Sealed university transcripts
- Valid UK passport (6+ months remaining)
- Employment contract from your Korean school
- Medical exam results (chest X-ray, blood test)
- Passport photos (4×6 cm)
- Completed E-2 visa application form (provided by embassy)
Common Mistakes UK Teachers Make
- Applying for Enhanced DBS by accident: Korea accepts only Basic DBS. Enhanced is more intrusive and not required.
- Skipping the FCDO apostille: An un-apostilled DBS/ACRO is automatically rejected at the consulate stage.
- Using regular post for FCDO submission: Always use Royal Mail Special Delivery or a tracked courier. Lost certificates mean restarting the entire process.
- Letting the 6-month window expire: The certificate must be issued within 6 months of contract start. Time the request precisely.
- Name mismatch with passport: Verify every name field and date of birth before submitting to FCDO. Mismatches cause consulate rejection and full re-application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I apply for Basic DBS or ACRO Police Certificate for Korea?
Basic DBS is the standard accepted form for Korea's E-2 visa and is faster and cheaper than ACRO. ACRO Police Certificate is also accepted but less common now. For Scotland, use Disclosure Scotland Basic Disclosure (the Scottish equivalent). All three require an FCDO apostille.
Do I need an Enhanced DBS for the Korean E-2 visa?
No. Korea accepts Basic DBS, which is the simpler version. Enhanced DBS is for UK roles working with children or vulnerable adults inside the UK and is not required by Korean immigration. Applying for Enhanced DBS by mistake is the most common error UK teachers make.
How long does Basic DBS take?
Basic DBS through gov.uk typically takes around 14 days from application. Most applicants receive their certificate within 2 weeks. ACRO takes longer (2–4 weeks standard, faster with premium service). Plan to start the process at least 4 weeks before your target visa submission date.
Where do I get the certificate apostilled?
UK certificates are apostilled by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Legalisation Office. Standard FCDO processing is 2 working days plus shipping; premium next-day service is also available for an additional fee. Use Royal Mail Special Delivery or a tracked courier — not regular post.
Can I apply for Basic DBS while living abroad?
Basic DBS requires a current UK address for delivery, but you can apply online from outside the UK if you can provide a UK address. ACRO has more flexibility for applicants currently living overseas — contact ACRO directly to confirm eligibility if you've been abroad for an extended period.
What's the realistic total timeline for UK teachers?
Best case (Basic DBS + FCDO premium): approximately 2–3 weeks total. Standard case (Basic DBS + FCDO standard): 3 weeks. The 6-month validity window starts from the certificate issue date, so time the application so the apostille completes 2–3 months before your contract start in Korea.
Apply With Korvia
As EPIK's exclusive international recruiting partner since 2008, Korvia guides UK teachers through every visa document step — DBS coordination, apostille timing, and full E-2 visa preparation. Free for teachers.