Changing Schools on an E-2 Visa: What Happens to Your Family's Status

When you change from one school to another on an E-2 visa, you must notify or obtain permission from immigration:

Prior approval required (사전 허가): Some specific occupation categories require immigration approval before the workplace change takes effect. E-2 (foreign language instructor) falls into the category where workplace changes can typically be handled through a post-notification (사후 신고) rather than prior approval — but you should confirm current requirements with your immigration office.

What to file: A workplace change report (근무처변경신고) at your local immigration office or online via HiKorea. Documents typically include: application form, passport, ARC, new employment contract, new employer's business registration, and relevant teaching qualifications.

Timing: File as promptly as possible after the change. Continuing to work at a new school before completing the immigration notification is a status violation.

F-3 (Dependent / 동반) and F-1 (Family Visitor / 방문동거) statuses in Korea are not independent — they are linked to the main visa holder's status. Specifically:

• F-3 dependents of an E-2 holder have a status that references the E-2 holder's employer
• When the E-2 holder's employer changes, the basis of the F-3 status has technically changed
• Immigration requires the F-3 holder's records to be updated to reflect the new employer relationship

If you change schools and leave your family's F-3 status linked to the old school, your spouse is technically staying on a status whose qualifying condition (you being employed at School A) no longer exists. This creates an irregularity that should be corrected promptly.

After completing your own workplace change notification, update your spouse's and children's status:

Documents for F-3 status update:

1. Application form (Form 34 / 통합신청서)
2. holder's passport
3. holder's Alien Registration Card
4. Application fee (KRW 30,000 for each holder)
5. holder's updated ARC showing the new employer
6. holder's new employment contract
7. Proof of relationship between holder and holders (e.g., marriage certificate for spouse, family relationship certificate for children)

This is filed at the local immigration office or sometimes online via HiKorea. The status update processing time is usually same-day or within a few business days.

If your family member is in Korea on (방문동거) status — which covers certain relatives who don't qualify for — the same principle applies. The F-1 status is linked to your presence in Korea with a valid work status. A change in your employer should be reported and F-1 records updated.

holders whose main sponsor changes employment are also sometimes given the opportunity to convert their status based on the new employer relationship, particularly F-1 holders who are parents of the holder.

This is a related but distinct situation: an or visa holder who wants to work as a foreign language teacher () or foreign school teacher () in Korea can apply for a 체류자격외활동허가 (activity outside of status permission) without changing their actual visa status.

This allows, for example, a spouse of a Korean university professor to also work part-time as an English language instructor under their dependent status.

Documents required include: application form, passport, ARC, employment contract, business registration of the school, teaching qualifications (teaching certificate or degree + experience), criminal background check, and medical certificate.

Failing to update F-3/F-1 status after an school change is not immediately catastrophic — you are not deported for missing a notification. However:

• If the discrepancy is discovered at a later immigration renewal, it may cause complications and require additional documentation
• If your family members travel and re-enter Korea, the status inconsistency may be flagged at the border
• In repeated or deliberate cases, it can be treated as a status management violation

The practical advice: update your family's status within a few weeks of completing your own workplace change notification. The process is straightforward and the fees are modest (KRW 30,000 per person).