EPIK Final Documents Downloads
Complete EPIK document checklist — click any item for description, sample images, and download links.
9
Common (Required)
30
Additional (Situational)
2
Apostilles Required
Free
Korvia Support
When you apply through Korvia, your recruiter guides you through every document step-by-step. Click each item below to see the description, download links, and sample images. Not every applicant submits every document — your recruiter confirms which ones apply to your profile.
Items marked green are common to every EPIK applicant (9 items — per the EPIK Official Guideline). Everything else is additional, submitted only when it applies to your situation — region (SMOE, Incheon), nationality (UK/AU/SA/Quebec), teaching history, or pay-level upgrade paths.
EPIK Final Documents Checklist
Filter by Common · Additional · All. Open any row for instructions, downloads, and sample images.
Required for every EPIK applicant (per the EPIK Official Guideline).
Do NOT print double-sided . Black and White print is ok.
After your EPIK application is completely revised as EPIK requested, make sure to sign in pen in the signature box on page 6. You can sign anywhere near your typed name.
Print every page of the application, including the personal essays and lesson plan. There should be 12 pages in total. If applicable, also print out all the lesson plan materials such as handouts, worksheets, PPT, etc. For lesson plan materials: if you have a slideshow, make sure to print multiple slides per page to save paper. Do not print 1 slide per page.
The standard passport photo size is 3.5cm x 4.5cm , though the photo can be a little bigger than that. Please do not send large size photos.
Also, the photo must have a plain background. Please follow the below guidelines as closely as possible.
The personal essays are printed as part of the 12 pages of the EPIK application; you do not need to print them again separately.
The lesson plan is printed as part of the 12 pages of the EPIK application; you do not need to print it again separately.
If you have handouts, you can print those; just make sure that if you have a slideshow, to print multiple slides per page (do not print 1 slide per page; it is wasteful)!
The information page of the passport only (Colored copy or Black and White; both are acceptable as long as it is high-quality and all information is clearly visible.) Both the top and bottom pages should be visible, and the passport must be signed.
Make sure your passport will still be valid for at least two years after entry into Korea.
For all CBC, it must be issued at a national level .
For US applicants, apostilles must be from the US Department of State.
For CA applicants, apostilles must be from Global Affairs Canada (as of January 11, 2024). You must send them the ORIGINAL, UN-NOTARIZED RCMP check. Please make sure to make a copy for your records before sending it off .
Please avoid having other documents apostilled together, i.e. Background Check, Degree, Birth Certificate. Each document must have a separate apostille.
Criminal Background Check is ONLY valid for 6 months . (For August intake, the record should be issued no earlier than February 1st and February intake, August 1st, respectively.)
Please do not remove or detach the apostille. The detached or damaged document is not acceptable and will be considered invalid, which will result in a delay in the process, and you will have to obtain a new one.
BA degrees should be notarized and apostilled . (South African applicants need to get a SAQA verification letter. This does not need to be notarized before sending it to DIRCO for apostille, as it must be the original letter.)
For CA applicants, your BA diploma copy must be notarized, then apostilled by your provincial government (as of January 11, 2024). Please see your specific province’s apostille instructions for specific details on what is required.
For US applicants, apostilled BA/BS degree can be issued at a state level. Some states will apostille diplomas from other states, but others will not, so please double-check before submitting your diploma for apostille.
For South Africans, make sure your SAQA letter includes your 3-4 year UNDERGRADUATE Bachelor’s degree. Honours Bachelor’s do not count and are not required to verify. Other diplomas, such as PGCEs also do not need to be included in the SAQA letter.
Again, please do not remove or detach the apostille. The detached or damaged document is not acceptable and will be considered invalid.
Please avoid having other documents apostilled together, i.e. Background Check, Degree, Birth Certificate.
A transcript must reflect all coursework, credits, and grades earned previously that were eventually contributed towards the degree.
If you have attended/transferred more than one college/university, please make sure that your most recent academic transcript states all the coursework credits and grades including your previous academic history. If not, you will have to obtain all academic transcripts from individual colleges/universities you have previously attended.
If you attended your graduating/current school for less than 2 years, you will need to submit transcripts from your previous schools.
If you are currently a student, please initially submit your most recent official transcript and submit a finalized official transcript upon graduation.
Please ensure your letters of recommendation include the letterhead of the organization, ink signature, and full name of the reference, your full legal name, issue date, phone number, e-mail address, and a physical mailing address.
The ink signature cannot be written over or beside an electronic signature. The letterhead can be replaced with an official business card. (Images do not count.)
Upon receiving your documents, we will examine both letters and see any signs of a forged signature.
Green = Required for every applicant·Blue = Situational (based on your profile)
Source: EPIK Official Guideline. 39 items covering every EPIK applicant scenario. Updated for 2026 intake.
Important When Applying on epik.go.kr
When completing the EPIK online application, please select “Classification” as Agency — Korvia Consulting. Our team cannot access or review your application if you fail to select the correct classification.
Downloads FAQ
Q.Do I need every document on this list?
No. The 39-item checklist covers all possible documents across every EPIK applicant scenario. Most teachers submit 15-25 items depending on nationality, teaching experience, and province. Your Korvia recruiter identifies exactly which items apply to your profile — you don't need to figure it out alone.
Q.What documents require apostille?
Two documents always require apostille: (1) your bachelor's degree, and (2) your National-Level Criminal Record Check (CRC). The apostille is an international notarization that certifies the document as legitimate for use in Korea. Processing times vary — US: 1-3 weeks, Canada: 4-8 weeks, UK/Ireland/Australia: 1-2 weeks, South Africa: 3-6 weeks. Start the apostille process 8-12 weeks before your intended start date.
Q.How recent must my Criminal Record Check be?
Your CRC must be issued within 6 months of your EPIK start date. If you obtain it too early, it will expire before placement. Timing is critical — your Korvia recruiter coordinates the CRC request window to match your intake timeline.
Q.I don't have a TEFL certificate yet. Can I still apply?
Yes, but you will be classified as Level 3 (not currently hired in most provinces). A 100+ hour TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate is effectively required for EPIK — it's both an eligibility factor and a salary tier determinant. Online TEFL courses are accepted. Plan 4-8 weeks to complete a reputable TEFL program.
Q.Can I submit documents as PDFs, or do I need hard copies?
Both. Initial application documents can be submitted as scanned PDFs for review. Final documents (apostilled degree, CRC, sealed transcripts, etc.) must be sent as original hard copies to your school in Korea before contract signing. Korvia guides you on exactly when to send hard copies, typically via trackable international courier.
Q.What if my document is rejected?
Common rejection causes: missing apostille, wrong apostille authority, outdated CRC, unsealed transcripts, or incorrect TEFL verification. Your Korvia recruiter reviews each document before submission to minimize rejections. If a document is rejected by the province, we help you correct and re-submit — though this may delay your start date by 4-8 weeks.
Need Help With Your EPIK Documents?
Apply through Korvia and your recruiter will guide you step-by-step.