How to Teach English in Korea from Canada
The Canadian pathway to a Korean teaching job in 2026 — eligibility, the RCMP background check, visa steps, salary, and what happens to your pension contributions.
Quick Answer
Can Canadians teach English in Korea?
E-2 Visa Eligibility for Canadian Citizens
Canadais one of the seven countries eligible for Korea's E-2 teaching visa (USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa). The baseline requirements are the same for every nationality:
- ✓A bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited university (apostilled copy required).
- ✓The official EPIK minimum is a 100-hour TEFL/TESOL certificate (many recruiters recommend 120 hours for competitiveness, but 100 hours is the published requirement).
- ✓A clean national-level criminal record check — for Canadian applicants, the RCMP Certified Criminal Record Check (fingerprint-based).
- ✓Under 62 (Korea's pension-linked age cap for new E-2 teachers).
EPIK applications open around August 1 for the following Spring intake and around February 1 for the Fall intake, reviewed on a rolling basis — applying early in the window matters. See EPIK eligibility for program-specific rules.
Your Canadian Document Checklist
RCMP Certified Criminal Record Check (fingerprint-based)
Apostille / authentication: Authentication for use in Korea (see dedicated guide for the current channel)
Canadians submit a certified RCMP criminal record check based on fingerprints — a local police 'name check' is not accepted. The check must then be authenticated for use in Korea; the exact channel has changed in recent years, so follow the dedicated guide's current steps.
Full RCMP check guide for Canadian applicants →Your criminal record check is submitted at the EPIK application stage; once EPIK issues your Notice of Appointment (NOA), the consulate stage relies on the NOA rather than re-examining your CRC. Final document requirements are always set by your embassy or consulate — check their notice before you submit.
From Application to Arrival
| Stage | Typical Time |
|---|---|
| RCMP fingerprint check (accredited agency) | 1–3 weeks |
| Authentication for Korea | 2–6 weeks |
| EPIK application + interview | rolling from Aug 1 / Feb 1 |
| NOA → E-2 visa at your consulate | 2–4 weeks |
The visa stage itself is straightforward once your NOA arrives — see the E-2 visa guide and the consulate application walkthrough for jurisdiction tables and appointment rules.
What Canadian Teachers Earn — and What Comes Back
EPIK base pay runs ₩2,100,000–₩2,800,000 per month depending on your level (qualifications and experience), per the official EPIK pay scale updated May 2026. On top of base pay: a ₩300,000 settlement allowance in your first month, a ₩1,800,000 entrance allowance (timing and amounts vary by region), a ₩1,300,000 completion or exit allowance per contract, severance of roughly one month's salary, and furnished housing provided by your office of education (utilities are your responsibility).
National Pension (NPS): Lump-Sum Refund Available
Canada (including a separate arrangement for Québec) has a social security agreement with Korea: Canadian teachers are treated equally with Korean nationals and can normally claim a lump-sum refund of National Pension contributions when leaving Korea.
Country-specific NPS lump-sum refund rules can change based on your contribution and residency history, your home country's pension system, and amendments to the Korea–partner social security agreement. Before applying, always confirm the latest guidance with both the Korean National Pension Service (NPS) and your home pension authority.
Where official sources differ, statutory agencies take precedence: National Health Insurance Service and National Pension Service publications over EPIK program guidance.
Canadian Applicants Ask
Is a local police check enough for the Korean E-2 visa?
No. Korea requires the national-level, fingerprint-based RCMP certified criminal record check for Canadians. Name-based checks from local police services are not accepted for the E-2 visa.
Do Canadian teachers get their Korean pension back?
Yes, in the normal case. Under the Canada–Korea social security agreement, Canadians can claim a lump-sum refund of National Pension contributions when they permanently leave Korea. Confirm your individual eligibility with the NPS before departure.
Which Korean consulate in Canada handles my E-2 visa?
Korean consulates in Canada serve fixed jurisdictions by province. Check our consulate directory and confirm against your consulate's own published notice before booking.
How long does the process take from Canada?
Plan 3–5 months from starting your RCMP check to arrival. Fingerprinting through an RCMP-accredited agency is fast, but authentication for Korea adds several weeks — start early in the EPIK window.
How much can Canadians earn teaching in Korea?
EPIK base pay is ₩2.1–2.8 million per month by level, plus allowances, severance of roughly one month's pay, and free furnished housing. Hagwon contracts are negotiated individually and commonly fall in a similar range.
This page is general guidance for prospective teachers, not legal or immigration advice. Korvia is a teaching-recruitment company — visa and pension decisions rest with Korean immigration, your consulate, and the relevant agencies. Always confirm final requirements with your embassy or consulate, Korean immigration, or a licensed professional.
Ready to Start from Canada?
Korvia has placed teachers in Korean public schools since 2006 — free for applicants, including Canadian candidates at every step from documents to arrival.
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