Korea Arrival Checklist — EPIK & Non-EPIK Tracks
The visa, immigration, banking, and onboarding flow is the same for every foreign teacher — but EPIK runs a centralized ~8-day orientation at an EPIK-designated host university (the location rotates each intake and is announced in your welcome email), while hagwons, private schools, and international schools run school-specific 1–2-day onboardings — experienced-hire placements often skip to same-day work-day onboarding. Pick your track below and follow the sequence tailored to your situation.
2 Tracks
EPIK vs Non-EPIK
4 Phases
Pre → First Month
E-2
Visa Standard
ICN
Main Airport
Quick Answer
What do I need to do when I arrive in Korea to teach (e-Arrival Card, airport meeting, residence card)?
Who This Checklist Is For
Every foreign teacher arriving in Korea on an E-2 visa goes through the same immigration, banking, housing, and onboarding loops. The contract holder is different — your day-one experience is not.
Pre-Departure — 2–3 Weeks Before Flight
What you must finish in your home country before boarding. Almost every arrival problem traces back to a missed item in this phase.
Confirm flight details with your recruiter and school
Send your full name, flight number, arrival date and time in KST, and terminal (ICN T1 or T2) to your Korvia recruiter as soon as booking is done — 2+ weeks in advance ideally.
Complete the e-Arrival Card
Korea replaced the paper immigration form with an online e-Arrival Card. Submit within the 3-day window before landing. E-2 visa holders do not need K-ETA.
e-Arrival Card Portal›Activate international roaming or order an eSIM
Walking out of immigration without mobile data is the single biggest mistake arriving teachers make. A prepaid eSIM QR code emailed before departure solves it — you are online the moment you clear customs.
20th Anniversary eSIM Promo›Do NOT bring original documents unless specifically requested
Apostille documents are not required at this arrival stage — your apostilled bachelor's degree, apostilled national-level criminal record check, and sealed transcripts were already submitted to EPIK earlier in the process. Only bring originals if Korvia or your employer has explicitly asked you to. Do bring your passport (plus photocopies), TEFL certificate, and extra passport photos.
Photocopy your Visa Grant Notice and passport
Korean consulates no longer place visa stickers in passports. Keep digital copies of the printed Visa Grant Notice and passport in secure cloud storage, and carry a paper copy separately from the originals.
Pack for the season — Korea's weather is regional
Winter (Dec–Feb) demands a heavy coat, thermals, and gloves. Summer (Jun–Aug) is humid and hot — light breathable clothing. Mountain provinces run cooler; coastal cities are milder.
Bring Korean won (KRW) cash for the first 48 hours
USD is not usable inside Korea — you cannot pay a taxi, a convenience store, or a restaurant with US dollars. Exchange roughly ₩400,000–₩700,000 (≈ $300–$500 USD equivalent) before departure or at the Incheon Airport currency booth immediately on arrival. This covers taxi backup, first meals, convenience-store supplies, and incidentals before your Korean bank account is active.
Install essential Korean apps before you board
Naver Map or KakaoMap (not Google Maps — it is limited in Korea), Papago (Korean translation), Coupang Eats / Baemin (food delivery), KakaoTalk (required messenger), and your bank's app.
Share your itinerary with family
Full flight details, Korvia recruiter contact, your school name, and city. Nominate one emergency contact who can be reached on WhatsApp or KakaoTalk.
EPIK or Non-EPIK? Your Arrival Differs Significantly.
EPIK runs a centralized 8-day main orientation with program-arranged shuttles. Non-EPIK placements (hagwons, private and international schools, specialty centers) run school-specific 1–2-day onboardings with employer-arranged transport — experienced-hire placements often skip to same-day work-day onboarding. Phases 02 and 03 below adapt to your track — toggle to see the one that matches your situation.
Public-school placement through the Metropolitan or Provincial Office of Education.
Landing Day — Incheon T2 to EPIK Orientation Venue
EPIK runs a highly coordinated arrival day: one airport registration counter, one intake-specific window, and scheduled coaches to the EPIK-designated orientation venue. Missing the published window can mean an extra hotel night or self-funded transport. Follow the current intake notice and the sequence below.
Register at Incheon (ICN) Terminal 2 — not Terminal 1
EPIK operates Fall 2026 registration and orientation shuttles from ICN Terminal 2. If your airline arrives at Terminal 1, clear arrival formalities and use the free landside inter-terminal shuttle bus to T2; allow about 30 minutes. The Airport Railroad is a separate paid option.
For Fall 2026, land by 4:00 PM on August 19
The main Fall 2026 registration window is 8:00 AM-6:00 PM on Wednesday, August 19. EPIK says flights should land no later than 4:00 PM. If you cannot find a suitable flight, arrive the night before and pay for a hotel near ICN. Other intakes must follow their own current arrival notice.
Complete the e-Arrival Card within 3 days of your flight
Submit the e-Arrival Card online at e-arrivalcard.go.kr — EPIK teachers still need this even though you have an E-2 visa. K-ETA is not required on an E-2.
e-Arrival Card Portal›Activate your eSIM before leaving immigration
On-the-day coordination with EPIK staff happens over KakaoTalk. If you are unreachable, the shuttle may leave without you. A prepaid eSIM activated at the gate solves this.
20th Anniversary eSIM Promo›Meet EPIK coordinators at the T2 Arrival Hall
For Fall 2026, register on the Terminal 2 Arrivals Floor (1F) at Desk 53 or 54, behind the LG U+ and SK Telecom roaming counters. Look for the Korvia coordinator after registering. A KakaoTalk message to your recruiter when you clear immigration is the fastest way to confirm your status.
Board the EPIK shuttle bus to the orientation venue
EPIK runs coach buses from ICN T2 to the orientation venue. For Fall 2026, the last regular shuttle leaves at 6:30 PM and one 7:30 PM emergency shuttle is reserved for unexpected delays. Contact your coordinator immediately if you cannot register by 6:00 PM; after the final bus, transport is at your own cost.
Check in at the orientation dormitory
You sleep on campus during orientation (typically shared double rooms). Bring a small toiletry kit and modest professional attire for workshops. Major luggage can stay in storage if requested.
First Week — EPIK Orientation + Placement Handoff
EPIK's Fall 2026 Main Orientation runs August 19-26 as an 8-day residential program at a venue EPIK will announce separately. This is both a teacher training program and your cohort-bonding week before the provincial placement handoff.
Attend the 8-day Fall 2026 EPIK Orientation
The Fall 2026 residential orientation runs August 19-26 at an EPIK-designated venue. Participants must stay in the designated accommodation for the full program. EPIK will announce the venue and detailed schedule separately.
Lectures: Korean education system + classroom management
Early-week lectures cover the Korean public education system, the 22-hour weekly teaching load, co-teaching expectations, and classroom management in a Korean context. Take notes — this is the professional framework you will work in for a year.
Workshops: lesson planning + co-teaching
Small-group workshops with experienced EPIK teachers walk you through lesson planning templates, co-teaching communication patterns, and differentiation for Korean English-level bands.
Cultural activities and cohort building
Korean cooking class, city/temple tour, evening cohort socials. This is where you build the teacher friendships that carry you through your first year — take the social programming seriously.
Apply for Residence Card during or right after orientation
Your coordinator MOE (Metropolitan Office of Education) or provincial office coordinates the Residence Card (formerly ARC) application. Bring passport photos and the required documents that EPIK will list in your welcome email.
Korean RC Guide›Transport to placement city on the final orientation day
On the final orientation day EPIK arranges transportation (bus, KTX, or coach depending on destination) from the orientation venue to your placement city. Your contracting Metropolitan/Provincial Office of Education hands you off to your school's coordinator there.
Meet your Korean co-teacher on the last day of orientation
Your co-teacher typically meets you on the last day of EPIK orientation (or immediately upon arrival in your placement city) — NOT at the airport. EPIK handles airport-to-orientation transport via its own shuttle; the co-teacher handoff happens at the end of the 6–7 day orientation, when your MOE/POE coordinator brings you to your apartment and introduces you. The first impression here matters — your co-teacher is your single most important year-long work relationship.
Open Korean bank account + sign Korean contract
Your MOE coordinator walks you through opening a Korean bank account (KB, Shinhan, Woori, or NongHyup are common partner banks for MOE payroll) and signing your binding Korean-language contract.
First Month — Residency Established
Residence Card in hand, postpaid mobile converted, health insurance active, first paycheck reviewed, community connections starting. The 30-day mark is when Korea starts feeling like home.
Pick up your Residence Card
Typically issued 2–6 weeks after application. You can pick it up in person at the immigration office that processed your paperwork, or have it mailed to your address for a small fee. The card looks like a plastic ID with your photo and registration number.
Convert prepaid eSIM to a KT postpaid plan (optional)
Once RC is in hand, you can convert your Kimchi Mobile eSIM to a KT postpaid contract for 33–34% off the monthly rate. Same number, no SIM swap — just a reboot. Use within 60 days of RC issuance for best pricing. See the Korvia × Kimchi Mobile partnership page for the full service overview.
Kimchi Mobile Partnership›Enroll in National Health Insurance (NHIS)
Mandatory for all E-2 holders. Your school's HR files the enrollment within 14 days of your first work day. Contribution is withheld from salary (~3–4% of gross). Save your NHIS card when it arrives — it covers most hospital visits.
Register with your embassy's citizen services
US, UK, Canadian, Australian, NZ, Irish, and SA embassies offer free registration. Enables them to reach you during emergencies and verifies you hold a valid long-stay visa in Korea. Takes 10 minutes online.
Review your first paycheck
Korean pay cycles usually run 25th to 25th or 30th to 30th, so the first paycheck may be partial. Confirm it matches contracted salary, check for NHIS / pension / income tax deductions, and ask HR to explain any unclear line item.
Order apartment internet and utilities
KT, SKT, and LG U+ offer home internet around ₩25,000–₩35,000/mo. Delivery and activation take 3–7 days. Utilities (electricity, gas, water) are often bundled by the school or invoiced through housing management — ask HR.
Meet your co-teachers and build the working relationship
For EPIK, GEPIK, SMOE, GOE teachers — your Korean co-teacher is your single most important work relationship. Ask about lesson-planning expectations, communication preferences, and which teacher's materials set the standard. A coffee invitation in week 2 pays dividends for the year.
Join community channels
The Korvia teacher community on KakaoTalk, Facebook groups (EPIK Ensemble, Gyeonggi Teachers, etc.), and city-specific meetups. Social integration is the #1 predictor of teachers who renew for a second year.
Deeper Reading for Your Program
The universal checklist gets you 90% of the way there. For program-specific differences — EPIK's centralized orientation, GEPIK's district-by-district arrival, academy intake — use these dedicated guides.
Arrival Checklist FAQ
What's the difference between the EPIK and Non-EPIK tracks?
EPIK is a centralized government program: one intake-specific arrival date, registration at Incheon Terminal 2 (Terminal 1 arrivals use the free inter-terminal shuttle bus), scheduled coaches to the EPIK-designated orientation venue, and a mandatory residential orientation before the placement handoff. For the main Fall 2026 intake, teachers arrive August 19 and attend orientation through August 26. Non-EPIK placements (hagwons, private schools, international schools, specialty programs) are school-arranged instead: your employer owns the pickup, transport, and a shorter school-specific 1–2-day onboarding. Phase 01 (Pre-Departure) and Phase 04 (First Month) are shared; Phases 02 and 03 differ substantially.
Which track am I on?
If your contract lists EPIK (English Program in Korea) as the program and your placement is through a Metropolitan or Provincial Office of Education (SMOE, GEPIK, GOE, JLT, etc.), you're on the EPIK track. If your placement is with a hagwon (학원), private academy, international school, English kindergarten, or specialty program like SEC/GIGE/COEIEI/HEC/GEEC, you're on the Non-EPIK track. Your Korvia recruiter confirms this in your welcome email — when in doubt, ask.
How far before departure should I start the checklist?
Three weeks. The pre-departure phase alone — visa pickup, flight booking, eSIM ordering, app installation — typically takes 2–3 weeks of overlapping work. Teachers who wait until the last week almost always miss a step and land in Korea scrambling. Apostille is not a pre-departure step — it happens at the Final Documents (FDA) stage earlier in the process.
What is the single most important thing to get right?
Being reachable on arrival day. That means (a) mobile data the moment you clear immigration — eSIM is the cleanest solution — and (b) your recruiter having your flight info in advance. Every other mistake is recoverable; being unreachable for the first six hours cascades into missed pickups, missed shuttles, and costly taxi backups.
How much money should I bring for the first month?
Plan for ₩2,000,000–₩3,500,000 (≈ $1,500–$2,500 USD equivalent) in accessible funds. Your first paycheck typically arrives 30–60 days after your arrival (Korean pay cycles can be partial in month one), so you need runway for housing deposit contribution (if any), utilities setup, food, transport, and incidentals. Bring Korean won (KRW) cash — roughly ₩400,000–₩700,000 — plus an international debit card until your Korean account activates. USD cash is not spendable inside Korea; exchange it at departure or at the Incheon Airport currency booth on arrival.
When does my Residence Card arrive, and what should I do while waiting?
Two to six weeks after the immigration appointment, depending on the office and season. During that window, your prepaid eSIM carries all your data and your passport acts as your government ID. Banking, domestic flights, and many contracts can begin before RC arrives — but postpaid mobile, long-term domestic services, and some government portals wait until it is in hand.
Do I need a Korean bank account before I arrive?
No — it is not possible. Korean banks require an RC or passport + alien registration number (from your employer) to open an account. The account opening happens in your first week once you are physically in Korea. This is why carrying Korean won (KRW) cash for the first 48–72 hours matters — USD is not spendable at Korean taxis, convenience stores, or restaurants.
What if I arrive outside business hours?
For the main Fall 2026 intake, EPIK registration runs 8:00 AM-6:00 PM on August 19 and flights should land by 4:00 PM. The last regular shuttle leaves at 6:30 PM; one 7:30 PM emergency bus is only for unexpected delays. If your itinerary cannot meet the window, arrive the night before at your own expense. Other EPIK and Non-EPIK teachers must follow their own current arrival instructions and never improvise a late arrival without notifying the coordinator.
Is the checklist different for Canadian / UK / Australian / South African teachers?
The steps are the same; only document sourcing differs. Apostille is issued by the foreign ministry in your home country (Global Affairs Canada, UK FCDO, DFAT, DIRCO). E-2 visa requirements are identical across passport countries. Korean immigration does not distinguish between them during the RC process.
Arrive Ready, Not Scrambling
The phases above are universal, but your specific intake has its own date, airport, and shuttle. Let Korvia confirm yours so the checklist becomes a calendar.