Important Notice for TaLK Applicants
1. Application Procedures
※ The following dates are subject to change. Refer to the TaLK website (www.talk.go.kr) for updates.
(1) On-line Application
- Go to the TaLK website and click the “Apply Now” menu.
- Submit the following documents on-line through the Talk website.
① Application A
② Application B (Personal Medical Assessment & Personal Essay) ③ A photo
(2) Interview & Submission of Required Documents - Have an interview in the Korean Embassy/Consulate.
- Submit all the required documents (①~⑧ as stated below) to the Korean Embassy/Consulate by the deadline set by your application office.
※ Refer to the TaLK website (www.talk.go.kr) for detailed information on how to prepare the following documents.
① A completed application form A
※ One passport size photo must be included along with applicant's signature at the bottom of the form.
② A completed application form B - a personal medical assessment & a personal essay
③ A lesson plan
※ Download the prescribed form from the TaLK website.
④ A sealed transcript
⑤ Two signed and sealed recommendation letters
※ Download the prescribed form from the TaLK website.
⑥ A criminal record check (county level)
⑦ A copy of your passport photo page
⑧ A copy of legal residence certificate (for Korean nationals)
(3) Notification of Final Admission Decision
After your application has been forwarded to the TaLK Office in Seoul, the admission decision will be made and informed within 2~3 weeks.
- Check the final admission decision on the TaLK website (Go to "Apply Now" menu → Click "Status of Application") (4) Confirmation of acceptance of scholarship :
- Confirm the acceptance of the TaLK scholarship after checking your contract in your admission package
- Admission package, which includes an invitation letter and a contract (PDF files), will be uploaded in the “My Page” menu of the TaLK website one week after your application result is notified.
(Go to "Apply Now" menu → Click "Status of Application"→ Click "Yes") (5) Visa Application at the Embassy/Consulate General: by January 25th (6) Purchase of (or accept from TaLK) an Airline Ticket : by January 25th (7) Arrival in Korea: February 1st – 3rd
- If you arrive in Korea on the designated arrival dates, transportation to the orientation venue will be provided by the TaLK Office.
(8) Participation in the TaLK Orientation: February 4th – 19th
- Theories & practices concerning English teaching methodology & classroom management
(9) Participation in the POE Orientation: February 19th – 26th
- Meeting with the POE supervisor, and the school principal/teacher - School placement and accommodation arrangement
(10) Placement in the school : February 26th (11) Start of work : March 2nd
2. Visa Eligibility Check before Application
★ Overseas Koreans with less than two years of university education as of January, 2010 must inquire at the Korean consulate/embassy, to confirm qualifying for the F-4 visa before proceeding with their application.
★ Foreigners with less than two years of university education as of January, 2010 should apply next time to meet the E-2 visa eligibility requirements.
3. Official Medical Examination
(after arrival in Korea)★ All TaLK Scholars must undergo a Medical Examination in Korea including a physical examination, a blood test, a chest X-ray, and so on. During the Orientation, TaLK Scholars will be taken to the designated hospitals to take a Medical Examination and the cost is covered by the Korean government.
★ If a TaLK Scholar is found to be addicted to drugs and/or alcohol or is infected with HIV and/or any contagious diseases, the contract will be cancelled and he/she must return to his/her home country. In this case, any or all expenses for entry, departure, or stay in Korea, including medical fees, must be paid by the TaLK scholar.
4. How to Receive Tax Exemption
(1) Eligibility : All TaLK scholars except those with Canadian citizenship
All TaLK scholars are eligible for income tax exemption for the first two years of employment in Korea. Canadian citizens are not eligible for this benefit as there is no tax treaty between Korea and Canada.
* If you have previously worked for more than two years in Korea, you will not be eligible for this exemption.
(2) Required Documents
In order to claim tax exemption, you are required to submit to your school a copy of "Certificate of Residency" (a government certified document that confirms your legal residency status in your country). This can be obtained from the tax revenue authority in your country or online, after being placed in your school.
▷ Issued from the jurisdictional taxation department in your home country
▷ Submit to your school in Korea
▷ Korean National Tax Service website: http://www.nts.go.kr/eng
* If you apply for your Certificate of Residency before your departure and if you do not know which school you are placed in by that time, you must send the Certificate to your Provincial Office of Education. The mailing address is on the TaLK website (under "Placement" menu).
5. Military Service
Male applicant who has dual citizenship or is a Korean citizen with permanent residency of his residing country must make sure that the military service issue will not interfere with his activity as a TaLK Scholar.
A male applicant with permanent resident status in his country of residence has the possibility of being drafted into military service if his stay in Korea exceeds six months. Therefore, if your situation falls under this category, you must choose the six month contract. Be aware that your stay in Korea before and after the scholarship period will count towards the 6-month limit as well. This may also apply to male applicants with dual citizenship, entering Korea using a Korean passport.
6. Re-entry Permit
If TaLK Scholar is planning to stay in Korea for more than 12 months and is a permanent resident of a country where there are regulations against staying abroad, (i.e. USA) make sure to receive a re-entry permit before leaving your country of residence.
For more information please visit the following websites:
http://www.uscis.gov/, http://www.dhs.gov/
7. Visa Issuance
(1) Please ensure that you are in possession of an E-2, F-4, or F-2 visa prior to arrival in Korea. You cannot attend the TaLK Orientation, nor work in Korea, without an E-2, F-4, or F-2 visa.
(2) To apply for an E-2 visa at the Korean Embassy/Consulate, the following items are required: a letter of invitation, your signed contract, your passport, visa application fee and some recently taken passport-sized photos.
* In some cases, they may require additional documents. Be sure to check with the Korean Embassy/Consulate where you will be applying for your visa. Inform the Korean Embassy/Consulate that you are a successful applicant of TaLK.
(3) To apply for an F-4 or F-2 visa, inquire at your Korean Embassy/Consulate for
Information on obtaining a visa
There are three types of visas that you can apply for to participate as a TaLK Scholar.
1) If you are a foreigner or overseas Korean with two or more years of college/university education:
- E-2 Visa (Foreign Language Teaching) 2) If you are an overseas Korean:
- F-4 Visa (Overseas Koreans)
If you are an overseas Korean with two or more years of university education, we recommend that you apply for the E-2 Visa.
※NOTICE : If you are an overseas Korean in first or second year of university, you MUST apply for the F-4 visa.
※Applicants who applied at the Seoul TaLK Office and wishes to change the status of their visa, must contact the TaLK Office for additional information.
8. Contact Information
(TaLK Office in Seoul, Korea )Tel : 82-2-3668-1399/1392/1386 (from overseas)
* If you are in Seoul, dial 3668-1399
* If you are in Korea but not in Seoul, dial 02-3668-1399 E-mail : [email protected], [email protected]
Fax : 82-2-764-1328
