To change visa, or not to change visa? That is the question.
Well, we can tell you the answer. It is whichever you prefer, depending on your situation, preference, and capability.
If you have a full-time job as an English teacher in a school or a hagwon, you can apply and attend grad school in South Korea while keeping your job and your E-2 visa. There are no limitations on the mediums of instruction you can take. You are allowed to study your Master's course in-person or online, in English Track or in Korean Track. Of course, you will still need to fulfil the language requirements for the university you're applying to, in order to be able to apply for the course itself.
Attending grad school while working full-time will require you to make sure your place of work knows and agrees about your studies. You will officially be introducing yourself this way: "I'm a teacher, and I'm also doing my Master's on the side." Your university will report all of its enrolled international students anyway, so if you are admitted, you won't be able to keep it a secret.
You can change your visa from E-2 to D-2 (General Student) if you prefer it. Of course, as a D-2 visa holder, you will officially be a 'full-time student' residing in Korea, therefore your full-time job will be studying, and any work you do outside of your studies will be considered a 'part-time job'.
If you choose this option, be careful as it could be quite tricky. As a Master's student with a D-2 visa, you are allowed to work part-time for a limited amount of hours per week during the semester.
If you have TOPIK level 4, you can work (off-campus) for a maximum of 30 hours per week during the semester. There is no limit on working hours during the weekends and the semester holidays.
If you don't have TOPIK level 4, you are only allowed to work for a maximum of 15 hours per week, regardless if it is during the semester, the weekends, or the holidays.
Also, there are limitations on the types of part-time jobs you can work off-campus. This does not include teaching English at any institution even though you are a Native English speaker. Common part-time jobs allowed for students are normally: staff at restaurants, cafes, PC cafes, offices, shops, or other establishments. The bottom line is, you are not allowed to teach part-time under a D-2 visa.
As a full-time student, you have to get a permit from your university that allows you to work part-time. In order to get this permit, you will have to maintain a minimum of 70% GPA with no grades lower than A or B.
Conclusion:
If you would like to continue working full-time at your current school/hagwon, it's better to keep your E-2 visa. This gives you more leniency, as long as your place of work knows and agrees to your attending a Master's program outside work. It will be a safer option too, financially.
If you would like to focus on your studies without the stress and pressure of a full-time job, you might want to consider changing your visa to D-2. Doing so will free you some extra time that can allow you to participate in more academic events and other opportunities closer to your field of study, which could be beneficial depending on your plans and goals after finishing your Master's course.
Take your time to consider, after all, it is an important decision. Which visa you choose would determine your work/study balance for the next 2 years! But no stress, because Intuition is here to help. We can guide you through the application process and offer valuable insights and tips to make your application stand out. Don't hesitate to contact us and take the first step towards your academic journey in South Korea :)
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