EPIK — English Program in Korea
Korea's largest government-sponsored public school English teaching program. It places native English speakers as co-teachers in elementary, middle, and high schools, with intakes every spring and fall. Korvia guides you through every step — so you're never lost along the way.
₩2.2–3.0M
Monthly Salary
1 Yr
Contract
Mon–Fri
8 Hrs / Day
22 Hrs
Teaching / Week
26 Days
Paid Vacation
Free
Housing
Quick Answer
What is EPIK and what does it pay?
EPIK (English Program in Korea) is the largest and most inclusive public school English teaching program in Korea, sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Education. EPIK places native English speakers in elementary, middle, and high schools across all 17 provinces and metropolitan cities.Korvia has been EPIK's exclusive recruiting partner since 2008, placing thousands of teachers in Korean classrooms.
How Does EPIK Work?
EPIK recruits native English teachers for public schools on behalf of Korea's metropolitan and provincial offices of education. It placed 883 teachers across the 2025 spring and fall terms, compared with 1,091 in 2024.
Who runs it
EPIK was established in 1995 and is affiliated with the Korean Ministry of Education. Since July 2007 it has been operated by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED). The EPIK Office screens applications and holds the interviews. The metropolitan and provincial offices of education are the employers: they set the pay scale, review recommended applicants and make the final hiring decision.
When it hires
Contracts start with the Korean school terms: late February for Spring and late August for Fall. Each term also has late intakes, in March and April or in September and October. The application window opens about seven months ahead, on August 1 of the previous year for Spring and on February 1 for Fall. On EPIK's general timeline, interviews, document checks and recommendations to the offices of education run from October to January for Spring and from April to July for Fall.
How you apply
There are three routes: directly through the EPIK Office, through an organization that has an MOU or MOA with EPIK (20 were listed as of March 3, 2026, among them universities and TEFL course providers), or through an official recruitment agency such as Korvia. The route changes who checks your documents and passes messages on. It does not change the interview, which is always online with the EPIK Office, or the contract, which is issued by the office of education on every route.
EPIK 2027: where the intake stands
The Spring 2027 application opened on August 1, 2026. EPIK has since closed agency applications for Spring 2027, so Korvia is no longer taking new Spring 2027 applications. Fall 2027 applications are expected to open on February 1, 2027. Our Spring 2027 update explains what to do now, and the EPIK application documents checklist lists what to prepare first. If you are weighing an agency against applying on your own, see how EPIK recruiters compare with a direct application. Public-school jobs outside EPIK very rarely go to teachers without Korean teaching experience, so if you want to start before Fall 2027, look at hagwon jobs. Not sure which fits? Compare EPIK and hagwon jobs.
Sources: EPIK Overview, How to Apply, Apply Now, Application Timeline, Salary & Benefits (epik.go.kr).
What Makes EPIK Different
The National Program in South Korea
Locations across all 17 provinces
EPIK is the largest public school English teaching program in Korea, encompassing the most locations with the most positions available nationwide. Whether you want to be in bustling Seoul, the port city of Busan, or the quiet countryside of Jeolla — EPIK has you covered.
Explore EPIK Locations→New & Experienced Teachers Welcome
No teaching experience required
Both experienced and inexperienced English teachers are welcome to apply. First-time applicants with a passion for education are encouraged — EPIK is one of the best ways to start your international teaching career. A TEFL certificate (100+ hours) and a bachelor's degree are the core requirements.
Check EPIK Eligibility→Less Worry, More Benefits
Full benefits package included
Moving to a new country can be stressful. EPIK minimizes this with a comprehensive benefits package — free housing, health insurance, settlement allowance, flight reimbursement, and completion bonus. Everything you need to focus on teaching from day one.
- ✓50% National Health Insurance Coverage
- ✓₩300K Settlement Allowance
- ✓₩1.3-1.8M Entrance & Completion Bonus
- ✓50% National Pension Contribution
- ✓Free Furnished Housing
Progressive Salary Levels
Competitive pay in Asia
Korea offers native English teachers some of the highest pay in Asia. EPIK assigns salary levels from Level 2 up to Level 1+ based on experience and qualifications — starting at ₩2.2M/month and rising to ₩3.0M+ for experienced teachers. Rural allowances and multi-school bonuses add to your base pay.
View Salary Levels→6 Steps From Apply to Classroom
Apply to Korvia
Submit your online application at korvia.com — takes 10-15 minutes.
Submit Initial Documents
Resume, photos, Lesson Plan, personal essay, and two PDF letters of recommendation.
EPIK Interview
Zoom video call with a single EPIK interviewer — covers a demo lesson AND teaching-scenario questions.
Submit Final Documents
Apostilled criminal background check, apostilled degree, sealed transcripts, and ink-signed letters of recommendation. (Medical exam happens after arrival in Korea.)
Apply for E-2-2 Visa
Visa processing at the Korean consulate in your jurisdiction.
Orientation in Korea
Arrive in Korea and attend EPIK's mandatory new-teacher orientation (about a week, held at the start of each term).
Everything You Need to Know
Contract
All EPIK teachers receive standardized salary, benefits, and working conditions — 1-year contract, Mon-Fri workdays, 22 hours/week teaching max, 26 paid vacation days.
Contract Details→Duties
Primary duty: co-teaching English with a Korean co-teacher. Also includes lesson planning, English camps during school breaks, and occasional school events.
Teaching Duties→How to Apply
Applying through Korvia is straightforward. A recruiter guides you through documents, interview prep, and arrival — all at no cost to you.
Application Process→Required Documents
Bachelor's degree (apostilled), criminal background check (apostilled), sealed transcripts, TEFL certificate (100+ hrs), passport photos, and ink-signed letters of recommendation (final stage). Medical exam is completed after arrival in Korea.
Document Downloads→EPIK FAQ
Q.What makes EPIK different from other teaching programs?
EPIK is Korea's largest government-sponsored program — standardized salary, benefits, and contract terms across all 17 provinces. Unlike private academies (hagwons), EPIK teachers work regular school hours (Mon-Fri, eight hours per day — typically around 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, set by each school) with 26 paid vacation days, free housing, and national health insurance. EPIK is the most stable and predictable way to teach in Korea.
Q.Can I choose which Korean city I teach in?
You can list ONE location preference on your EPIK application (a region / province / metropolitan city). You cannot specify 'urban only', 'rural only', or preferred city size. After your interview and document check, EPIK recommends your application to a metropolitan or provincial office of education, and that office makes the final decision. Korvia advocates for your profile. Competitive: Seoul (SMOE), Gyeonggi, Jeju. More available: rural provinces like Chungbuk, Gangwon, Jeonnam.
Q.Do I need to speak Korean to apply?
No. EPIK is designed around the co-teaching model — your Korean co-teacher handles all Korean-language communication. Most EPIK teachers pick up survival Korean during their contract, but speaking Korean is not a hiring requirement.
Q.How long does the EPIK application process take?
Plan for 4-6 months from the opening of the application window to your first day of school; once your application is complete, the process itself typically runs 12-16 weeks. Spring applications (Feb/Mar start) open around August and typically close by October. Fall applications (Aug/Sep start) typically open in February and close by May. These are not fixed deadlines — EPIK admissions are rolling, so cohorts can close earlier or later than usual depending on the intake. Document processing (especially apostille for your CRC and degree) is often the rate-limiting step — start documents early.
Q.What is Korvia's role, and is there a fee?
Korvia is EPIK's exclusive recruiting partner since 2008. We provide free end-to-end application support — document review, interview preparation, school matching, visa coordination, and arrival guidance. There is no cost to teachers. We are compensated by EPIK and the schools, not by applicants.
Q.What is the official EPIK website, and where do I log in?
The official EPIK website is epik.go.kr, run by NIIED. You do not log in on epik.go.kr itself to apply. Its Apply Now page links to a separate online application system where you create an account and fill in the form. Korvia.com is the site of an official EPIK recruitment agency, not the EPIK Office. If you are applying through an agency, EPIK asks you to contact the agency before creating an account or submitting an application.
Q.Is EPIK hiring for 2027?
Yes, but EPIK has closed agency applications for Spring 2027, so Korvia is no longer taking new Spring 2027 EPIK applications. The next intake is Fall 2027. Fall applications normally open on February 1 of the same year, so Fall 2027 is expected to open on February 1, 2027. EPIK processes applications in the order received, so a complete file early in the window has a better chance of placement. Public-school jobs in Korea outside EPIK very rarely go to teachers who have not taught in Korea before, so if you want to start sooner, a hagwon (private academy) role is the faster route.
Q.What happens after my 1-year contract ends?
You have three options: (1) Renew at the same school — earns a Renewal Bonus (₩700K-₩2M depending on province) and typically a higher salary tier; (2) Transfer to a different province via a new EPIK application; (3) Leave Korea — receive your Exit Allowance (flight home) and severance pay (~1 month's salary per completed year).
Q.How long does it take to get an EPIK placement through Korvia?
Most Korvia applicants receive a placement offer within 4–8 weeks of submitting a complete application. Korvia reviews your documents, schedules your EPIK interview, and coordinates placement — all at no cost to you.
Q.Can I choose my EPIK location through Korvia?
You can indicate location preferences, and Korvia will advocate for your top choices. While the office of education makes the final decision after EPIK recommends your application, working with an official partner like Korvia significantly improves your chances of getting a preferred placement.
Learn about EPIK in a live webinar
Prefer to ask questions in person? Korvia hosts free live EPIK webinars — an introduction session, application help, document prep, and interview practice — each ending with a live Q&A for prospective teachers.
See Korvia's EPIK events & webinarsApply to EPIK Through Korvia
EPIK's exclusive recruiting partner since 2008. Free document review, dedicated recruiter, and priority placement — at no cost to you.