For an E-2 teaching visa, Korea usually asks for an apostilled NZ criminal record issued within 6 months of your visa application, and an apostilled degree. Order the record too early and it expires; too late and you miss your intake. We work backwards from your start date, request the record for you, sort out the degree, lodge both apostilles and send them where your recruiter wants them. Already in Korea and changing visas? We do it all from here.
Your E-2 document countdown
This is how we plan a typical job. Tell us your start date and we send you your own version with real dates.
- 10–12 weeks outSend us your recruiter's checklist
We confirm exactly what your school or programme wants and spot anything unusual, such as sealed transcripts or a specific degree format.
- 8–10 weeks outWe request your criminal record
On your signed online authority, as a registered third party. It usually arrives within about a week, and the 6-month clock starts on its issue date.
- 8–10 weeks outWe sort out the degree
Some NZ degree certificates can be apostilled as they are. Others need a university-certified or notarised copy first. We check yours and arrange it.
- 6–8 weeks outBoth documents apostilled
Standard service is about 3 weeks. If your deadline is tight, our urgent service is about 1 week for eligible documents.
- 4–6 weeks outDelivered to you or your recruiter
Tracked courier in New Zealand, or straight to Korea. Your record is still well inside the 6-month window on visa day.
Already in Korea and changing visas?
Teachers renewing with a new school, switching to a different visa or moving from a hagwon to a public programme often need fresh NZ documents. You don't need to fly home.
- We request your NZ criminal record on your signed online authority
- We tell you the simplest way to handle the degree if the original is with you in Korea
- Apostilled documents are couriered straight to you in Korea, tracked
What it costs
| Service | All in |
|---|---|
| NZ criminal record requested for you | NZ$35 |
| Each apostille (criminal record or degree) | From NZ$116 |
| Degree that needs a certified or notarised copy first | Quoted all in, including any notary |
| Urgent apostille | Added to your quote |
| Courier to Korea | Added to your quote |
Most teachers need the record request, two apostilles and a courier. We price the whole set in one quote, including GST and government fees. See pricing.
Our guarantee, in plain words
We check your documents before you pay. If we take your job and then find we can’t complete it, you get a full refund of our fee, plus any government or notary fees we haven’t yet paid. What we can’t guarantee is a decision made by an overseas authority. That part is theirs, which is exactly why we check everything first.
Where E-2 applications go wrong
- Ordering the criminal record so early that it's over 6 months old on visa day
- Requesting the wrong type of NZ check for your recruiter’s list
- Apostilling a photocopy of the degree that nobody has certified
- An e-apostille when the school asked for paper, or the other way round
- A middle name on the passport that is missing from the degree
We prepare New Zealand documents. Visa decisions are made by Korean immigration, and your recruiter or school sets the final document list.
Frequently asked questions
What documents do I need from New Zealand for a Korean E-2 visa?
Usually an apostilled NZ criminal record and an apostilled degree. Some programmes also ask for transcripts. Send us your recruiter's checklist and we confirm the exact list.
How recent must my criminal record be for Korea?
Korean immigration generally accepts a criminal record issued within 6 months of the visa application. The clock starts on the record's issue date, not the apostille date, so we time the request for you.
How long does it take?
The record usually arrives within about a week. Apostilles take about 3 weeks, or about 1 week with the urgent service for eligible documents. Plan on 4–6 weeks, or 2–3 weeks if urgent.
Can you help if I'm already teaching in Korea?
Yes. We request your NZ criminal record on your signed online authority, handle the apostilles and courier everything to you in Korea.
How quickly will you reply?
Within 2 business hours, Monday to Saturday (Saturday until 1pm), NZ time. Send your checklist and start date and we come back with a plan and one all-in quote.
What if you can't do my job?
We check your documents before you pay. If we take your job and then can't complete it, you get a full refund of our fee, plus any government or notary fees we haven't yet paid.
Sources
NZ Document Assist Limited is an independent company, not a government agency. We are not a law firm, Notary Public or licensed immigration adviser and do not give legal or immigration advice.