How I Got My E-7 Visa to Work in Korea – Real Story of a Filipino English Teacher (Non-E-2 Route, 2025)

Hi! I’m Jane, a Filipino English teacher now working full-time in Korea under the E-7 visa — not the typical E-2 route.
Here’s how I made it in 2025, what I prepared, and what Filipino teachers need to know.

1. Why Not E-2? My Story

Most English teachers in Korea get the E-2 visa, but it’s only for **citizens of seven native English-speaking countries** (US, UK, Canada, etc.). Since I'm from the Philippines, I wasn’t eligible — but that didn’t stop me. I found out about the **E-7 visa for skilled workers**, including non-native English teachers with proper education and experience. 💡 Key difference: E-7 is based on **skills and job relevance**, not passport origin. ---

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2. My Qualifications

- Name: Jane B. - Age: 32 - Education: Bachelor of Secondary Education, Major in English - License: PRC Licensed Teacher (Philippines) - Experience: 6 years teaching ESL and in private school - Certificates: TESOL 120-hour / IELTS band 7.5 - TOPIK: Level 2 (Self-study) - Korean Employer: Hagwon (private academy) in Incheon I didn’t have a native passport, but I had a strong **teaching portfolio**.

3. E-7 Teaching Categories

For teaching jobs under the E-7, the most common categories are: - Foreign Language Instructor (not public school) - Private academy (Hagwon) teacher - English curriculum developer - Bilingual support in education companies The key is that your **job matches your degree and experience**. ---

4. Required Documents

From me: - Passport - Visa Application Form - Resume / CV - PRC License - Diploma + TOR (translated) - Certificate of Employment - TESOL certificate - Medical exam From employer: - Contract - Company registration + job plan - Letter of guarantee - Immigration sponsorship documents 📝 I had my documents translated and notarized. ---

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5. The Process Step-by-Step

1. Job hunting: I applied via job boards (ESL Cafe, WorknPlay) and sent cold emails. 2. Interview: Conducted via Zoom — demo class + short Q&A. 3. Paperwork: The hagwon submitted sponsorship docs to Korean immigration. 4. Visa issued: It took 3.5 weeks from submission to approval.

6. Life in Korea Now

I teach middle school students in small group settings. My salary is ₩2.7M/month + ₩400K housing allowance. Work hours: 2 PM – 9 PM (Mon–Fri) 💡 I also joined Korean language classes to support my visa points. ---

7. Pros & Cons of E-7 for Filipino Teachers

Pros: ✅ Legal full-time teaching job in Korea ✅ Higher pay than ESL jobs in PH ✅ Can bring family later via F-3 ✅ Path to F-2 or F-5 visa later Cons: ❌ Longer approval time than E-2 ❌ You must secure a job offer first ❌ Must match academic credentials + experience ---

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8. My Tips for Other Filipino Teachers

✅ Get licensed (PRC or equivalent) ✅ Add TESOL or CELTA certificate ✅ Gain 1–2 years of experience before applying ✅ Network with schools directly ✅ Improve English test scores (IELTS helps!)

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9. Related Guides

👉 E-7 Visa Requirements for Skilled Workers (Filipinos, 2025)
👉 How to Study Korean for TOPIK (Free Materials)
👉 Working Holiday vs Employment Visa – Explained

10. Final Words

Getting an E-7 visa as a Filipino teacher takes more effort, but it’s possible. If you're serious, build your resume, gain experience, and look for the right employer. Korea is a great place to grow, not just for native teachers — but for us too. 🇵🇭🇰🇷