The Real Costs of Applying to EPIK
The cost of moving across the world is no doubt high, and I wish I had known how much I needed to save for every document, shipment, and application.
But fear not! I tried to make the most comprehensive list of final documents and applications I could.
Of course, these costs depend on soooo many factors, like what country you live in, how much your school charges for transcripts, and how fast you are about getting your documents. But hopefully, this helps give you an idea of the cost and the various forms and applications you need to have--from the beginning to the end.
Signed EPIK Application form – $0* You may have minor printing costs if you don’t own your own printer. I had to print this a couple of times for my interview and then afterwards to send to EPIK.
Passport Photos – $15 from Passport Express, $40 in total*I had to get mine redone twice because a) I wanted smiling photos for the EPIK application and then b) because the first place got my photo size wrong. This left me with like 6 non-smiling, correctly-sized extra for my Visa. The smiling photos cost an extra $15 and the correctly-sized ones another $15.
Photocopy of Passport – $0* Again, you may have photocopying costs if you don’t own a printer and scanner. If you don't have a passport, get one ASAP!
FBI Background Check - $115 in total
Two sets of fingerprints - $15
I was running against time so I went with the FBI channeler, Accurate Biometrics. This was $50. I had them send me the PDF, which I then sent to Monument Visa for apostille.
Monument Visa Apostille - $50. They express shipped to my house.
Bachelor’s Diploma – $15* I had to send a (free) letter of expected graduation first since I didn't get my diploma until June. My school notarized a copy for me, then I took it to my Secretary of State office since I live in the capital. This $15 was for the apostille.
Two sealed University Transcripts – $20/transcript (x2 transcripts), $40 total* My school costs $20 per transcript, and I needed 2 initially. I had to resubmit transcripts after graduating.
Two Letters of Recommendations – $0
Photocopy of TEFL Certification – $0* However, the online course cost me approximately $334. You will have to bring the hardcopy with you to Korea
Fedex Priority Express – $94 for first round of final docs* Since I am a recent undergraduate, I had to submit placeholder documents for the diploma and transcripts.
Updated University Transcripts – $20/transcript (x2 transcripts), $40 total
Fedex to Mail Updated Documents – $65, bringing total shipping to $159
Visa Application – $45
Form 8802 – $85* This is a tax break form to the IRS. ShimmeringSeoul has a great article on what it's for and how to fill it out.
Total sum: $524 plus TEFL. (I'm not including the TEFL because I used school funds for it, and because you can definitely find a cheaper TEFL out there).
This is only the final documents and major applications, so it doesn't count other necessary costs:
Airfare (which does get reimbursed, but only at your first paycheck) -- variable
Hotel costs in case you leave for Korea a couple of days early -- variable
ARC (Alien Resident Card) -- $35
Medical check-up at Orientation -- $50
T-Money card (transportation) -- $3 plus however much cash you want to add to it
EPIK recommends that you arrive with $800-$1000 USD to get through the first month before you get your paycheck, so combine that with final documents and pre-orientation costs, it isn't cheap!
Don't let these costs overwhelm you. Focus on saving up the months before you leave, and be aware of the sneaky little hidden costs.
What hurt my wallet the most wasn't the big expenses like airfare or anything, it was the forms I didn't realize I had to get until it was time to dish out the cash for them. It was death by a thousand cuts, since it all started to add up and I hadn't budgeted for them.
So, if you read this list, you're already one step ahead!