A Checklist of EPIK Required Documents and Their Costs

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This checklist shares all of the EPIK required documents needed to teach English in Korea, with their associated costs.

Applying to EPIK and moving to South Korea is an adventure of a lifetime! But before you can start your TEFL journey, you need to gather all of your documentation and prepare the perfect EPIK application.

When I applied to EPIK, I was actually pretty surprised at how many documents I needed, and just how expensive the application process was! Nobody really mentions the insane number of docs and the cost to apply to EPIK.

So I’ve shared all of the required EPIK documents in a convenient checklist with what I paid! This list is ultimately geared towards Americans, but is still helpful for those applying overseas as a general overview.

For more information on how to apply to EPIK to teach English in Korea, check out my comprehensive guide!

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, if you click my links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. Learn more on my disclosure page. Thank you for your support!

EPIK Required Documents + The Cost to Apply to the EPIK Program

TEFL Certification ~ $100 – $500

The most expensive cost I incurred was my TEFL certification course. I chose to go through CIEE’s Teach Abroad program which included many different things but namely my TEFL cert. They were INSANELY expensive, and I really don’t recommend them.

I paid $1,500 for someone to help me apply to EPIK, get a 150 hour +20 in-class hour certification, iNext travel insurance for one year and assistance getting a private school job if EPIK didn’t work out for me.

Don’t follow in my footsteps. Instead, find your own more affordable TEFL course for Korea. To teach English in Korea, you need one that has at least 120 hours. And depending on the TEFL certification, it can cost you anywhere from $100 – $2,000 for the most basic all the way to an official CELTA. It just depends!

Ultimately, I recommend an affordable and accredited TEFL provider like iTTT. Many of their graduates have actually come to South Korea specifically to work and teach. They offer online and in-class courses that fit any schedule and budget.

If you order through one of my special links, you receive a 20% off discount! Check out iTTT’s courses and apply online!

If you already have your TEFL certification, you’ll just need to send EPIK a copy of the actual certificate to prove your training and you’re already good to go!

New Passport if Expires in 6 Months – $110

Not only do you need a valid passport, but your passport also needs to be valid at least 6 months longer than your teaching contract. Unfortunately for me, my passport was set to expire four months after my contract end date – I just missed the cut off! A new passport will set you back $110. If you’re in need of a new passport, you can read up on how to apply here. 

Passport Photos 6 – $40

I recommend bringing a bunch of these bad boys with you. You’ll for sure need two for your EPIK application, two for your E-2 visa application, one for your Alien Registration Card (Korean ID card) and possibly one for your medical check-up in Korea. Worst case, if you need more passport photos after you arrive, you can have your photo taken at one of the many photo booths scattered throughout metro stations in Korea.

Apostilled FBI Background Check – $88

There are a few steps you’ll need to take for your FBI background check. To place the order for one, you’ll first need to obtain your fingerprints from a local police station. This process was free for me, but if you’re not a resident of the city you’re getting fingerprinted in, they may charge a $10.00 fee.

You’ll then need to print and fill out an application form, place and pay for your order online and then mail in your application and fingerprints. I ordered mine at www.myfbireport.com for about $40.00. You can obtain the application form from that webpage as well!

Once you receive your official FBI background check, you’ll need to have it apostilled by the federal government. I recommend hiring a courier who specializes in consular services to expedite the apostille process.

I went through www.uslegalization.com and it cost me about $48.00 and took about 7 days. If you mail in your background check without the courier, it can take up to three months! Save yourself the stress and the time with an authorized agency.

Notarized + Apostilled Copy of Bachelor’s Degree – $15

The EPIK program requires teachers to have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution so you’ll need to send along an apostilled copy of your degree with your application. To obtain such a thing, you’ll first need to get a notarized copy of your degree. I got mine copied and notarized at the local UPS office store for only $5.00.

After your degree is notarized, you’ll need to print and fill out an application form for your state government and mail your notarized degree to have it apostilled. The state of Wisconsin charges a $10.00 fee for this service. Be sure to check out your specific state’s requirements as everything varies.

If you just happen to be applying from the state of Wisconsin (slim chance but It’s what I know), you can check out their process instructions here.

Two Letters of Recommendation – $0

EPIK also requests two letters of recommendation to be sent along with your application. Your letters need real ink signatures – no copies are allowed. This is a good bit of information to send along to whoever is writing your letters as a lot of people use an electronic stamp to sign their letters.

I had to pester my professor for a new letter when I received the first one without the ink! Another important thing to remember – recommendations must have been written within the past two years.

EPIK Application Form + Personal Statement + Original Lesson Plan – $0

The application form for the current term can be found on EPIK’s website.

You’ll need to fill out personal information about yourself, create an original lesson plan appropriate for the age you’d like to teach, as well as three personal essays from the EPIK prompts.

EPIK pays close attention to the information you share about yourself as well as the age level of your lesson plan. They try to do their best to use this information to match you to the best school placement for you.

Color Copy of Passport Data Page – $0

I don’t think this needs much explanation haha! But I wanted to include it on this list because it’s part of EPIK’s required documents even if t’s essentially free.

Resume – $0

EPIK is interested in your previous experience, even if it’s not teaching related. Try to update your resume/CV to share as much teaching related experience as possible and try to position everything in a way that is applicable to teaching; training fellow employees, working with students, being a leader etc. It’s all in the wording!

College Transcripts – $0 – $10

Lucky for me, my university just recently changed their procedure and they no longer charge the $10 fee for official transcripts! Although free for me, keep in mind most universities charge at least $10 for official transcripts. Be sure to keep your transcripts sealed and unopened as they become void once the seal is broken!

Korean food is also just the best

Signed Sworn Declarations – $0

There are a few sworn declarations you’ll need to sign for your application as well as after your acceptance. The forms you’ll need to sign all depend on your individual case. They include:

• Tattoo and Piercing Declaration (if necessary)

• Smoking (mandatory)

• Intent to Fulfill Training Requirements (if you are in the process of getting certified while applying)

• Information/Image Use Consent Declaration (mandatory)

• EPIK Orientation Attendance Pledge (mandatory)
• Seoul Additional Forms (if applying to Seoul)

Misc Shipping Costs – $150

I had to mail a lot of documents to a lot of different places – like my background check application, visa application, apostille applications, an amended application when I forget my middle name etc. Since I applied through a recruiter, I didn’t have to deal with mailing my final EPIK application overseas because CIEE handled direct contact with Korea for me – which was nice. But regardless, the shipping costs add up very fast!

EPIK APPLICATION TOTAL: $403 +

TEFL COURSE: ~ $100 – $500

Required EPIK Documents After Accepted to Teach in Korea

Korean E-2 Visa – $45

This is the fee for American citizens. You can learn more about the process at the Korean embassy or consulate nearest you! If you happen to live in the Midwest, check out the Chicago consulate’s website for more information about visa issuance. If you have any questions or need clarification, you can actually call your local consulate directly. I did when I was applying, and they were very helpful!

Tax Form 8802 –  $85

America has a special tax treaty with South Korea which exempts Americans from Korean income taxes for up to two years while teaching or working abroad.

Before you leave the states, you’ll need to apply with Form 8802, in order to receive the tax exemption certificate Form 6616. The form states that you’re still a U.S. resident even while living abroad and shouldn’t pay taxes in Korea.

While not mandatory for the EPIK application, I highly recommend taking the time to apply. It can save you about $1,000 in income taxes throughout your year in Korea!

The form takes about 45 days to process and have mailed back to you so try to apply for it with enough time before you leave the country.

You can find the application and order form on the IRS’ website here. On the application form, they ask you how many copies you’d like to order. Up to a certain amount, these additional copies come at no additional charge. I ordered 5 copies to have for myself and for emergencies. With EPIK, there’s the possibility you will teach at more than one school, so additional copies may come in handy!

The beautiful temple gardens in Gyeongju

Vaccinations – $250

Although not required for the application, you’ll want to budget in the need for vaccinations before you arrive in Korea. For travel to South Korea specifically, the CDC recommends typhoid, hep A and possibly Japanese encephalitis vaccinations.

I skipped the Japanese encephalitis as the risk is very low and the vaccine is very expensive. For more CDC health recommendations, check out their website!

You’ll want to consider your future travels in Asia as well. I plan to travel throughout South East Asia during my time here so I also brought along oral Malaria pills in preparation. Consult with your doctor about where you intend to travel during your time in Korea to decide what’s best for you!

Start Up Cash – $1,000+

I recommend bringing at least $1,000 spending money for when you first arrive. You receive your first paycheck a month after you move to Korea so you’ll need some money to live off of and get you started!

Keep in mind that a lot of ATMs here do not process foreign debit cards, and the exchange rate at anywhere other than a bank is often quite expensive! Coming with the money already exchanged into Korean won will save you on the headache and extra fees. 

One-Way Flight – $600 – $1,000

I myself actually flew one way from Madrid after a three week visit to Spain so I don’t have direct personal experience here. Depending on where you’re flying from though, one-way ticket prices can range drastically.

It sometimes even works out to be cheaper to purchase a round trip ticket with the intention of skipping the return. Regardless of the price, the great thing about EPIK is the set entrance allowance/bonus that is included in your pay  to cover the cost of your flight! You receive this bonus one month after you arrive in Korea.

PRE-DEPARTURE TOTAL = $1,380 + flight

After Moving to Korea for EPIK Costs

Medical Exam in Korea – 50,000 won / $45

During the EPIK orientation, you’ll need to have a medical exam completed to be in compliance of your contract/visa. The exam checks for good health as well as any drug use or new undocumented tattoos. You’ll need to pass the exam to essentially keep your job. You will need to pay 50,000 won or about $45 for the medical exam.

Alien Registration Card (ARC) – 30,000 won / $26

Once you’ve completed your EPIK orientation and have arrived in your new home city, you’ll need to apply for your Alien Registration Card (ID card) at the nearest immigration office. You can pick up the application and fill it out in person at the office.

You’ll need to bring your passport, school address and passport photo with you. The ARC costs 30,000 won or about $26. Your new co-teacher most likely will take you and assist you with the entire process so have no fear!

Security Deposit – 600,000 won / $540

When you teach in Korea through EPIK or the public school system, one of the amazing benefits is the free accommodation your school provides to you. That to say, your school needs a security deposit from you in case of any damages after you leave. I had to pay 600,000 won or about $540 for my deposit in Daegu.

The deposit is split over your first two paychecks, so my school deducted 300,000 from my first, and then 300,000 won from my second paycheck. The actual deposit amount may be different depending on where you’re placed in Korea. You’ll get this money back once you’re all moved out of your apartment pending no damages or repairs are needed.

ARRIVAL TOTAL = $71 + $540 Security Deposit

*The security deposit is an expense EPIK refunds at the end of the year. 

Oof! This list of EPIK required documents and their associated can seem very daunting, but it’s important to budget wisely for your upcoming adventure to Korea! If short on cash, learn the important lesson from me and save yourself the money by skipping the expensive recruiter (go through Korvia instead – their services are free!) and finding a more affordable TEFL certification.

Although this list is what I paid and is a good jumping off point, everyone’s situation is different. This a friendly reminder that the cost to apply to EPIK all depends on where you’re from, who you are, and how you apply. Your experience may vary drastically from mine!

How to Apply to EPIK

Are you ready to apply to teach English in Korea? You can learn more about the pros and cons of EPIK before you apply. Many people choose to apply independently to save money, but it’s also possible to apply with a recruiter or via a teach abroad program like CIEE’s Teach Abroad in Korea program. Happy teaching!

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, if you click my links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. Learn more on my disclosure page. Thank you for your support!

There you have it! A list of EPIK required documents and how much it costs to apply to the EPIK program. Please share questions and comments below!