Korean Job Discussion Forums

mack the knife · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: standing right behind you...

true or false:

it is legal to teach privates on an F-2 visa if you declare your income and pay tax on it.

i read a post about a month ago making just such an assertion.

Stunted Wookie · Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Location: Sound Studio

With the F2-1 you can get a tutoring certificate from the local Education department and teach privates English....legal.
I have one, and my wife and I run a small study room.

GottaBeKD · Joined: 13 Jan 2003

How do I get an F2-1?

Cthulhu · Joined: 02 Feb 2003

GottaBeKD · Joined: 13 Jan 2003

Cthulhu · Joined: 02 Feb 2003

The Wookie will have to answer that one--I haven't checked into the privates situation yet. By the way Wookie, did you go to the main education branch in Busan to register?

BTM · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Back in the saddle.

Any more details on the F2-1 visa, folks? Specifically, what it lets you do (fly, turn invisible, quit drinking) and what it doesn't? This is the first I've heard about this puppy, and marriage might well be on the cards this year, if the potential inlaws give the nod...

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

You are asking the WRONG people for the info you want. You need to ASK immigration! Only then will you know exactly. Even then, it's subject to change. Immigration has told me that it is ILLEGAL to teach privates with an F2 even though the office of education issues a certificate and sanctions the teachings. Immigration law takes precedence over other laws applying to foreigners. You need their permission to work. Period.

Stunted Wookie · Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Location: Sound Studio

Yep...check out Immigration http://www.moj.go.kr/mojeng/index.php
You will not find the F2-1 mentioned there however among the visa classes.

You will also see that foreign students can work part time starting next march.

I agree with Hellof a guy above me. You asked a question so people answer...NEVER rely on other workers on these matters. Check everything out direct as well.
Immigration does control who can work and who can't..the F2-1 (different than the F2) does allow you to work. But not as an Englsih teacher. I got a tutoring permit ;not a permit to teach..maybe there is a difference to Koreans, as high school students can get a tutor permit.. but even Koreans are supposed to have degrees to teach at Hogwan...so again MAYBE there is a difference?

Maybe I am wrong and totally mistaken....but I've got my permit in hand (ok its on the wall of the 'tutoring' room)
I have never met anyone who is always right either.....

mack the knife · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: standing right behind you...

sounds to me like there is some confusion within the beauracracy. this confusion is what i will use to defend myself if slapped with a fine for tutoring.

BTM · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Back in the saddle.

here it is · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

posted this in another thread, but it is on topic here too...same topic, actually...

While I don't doubt that stunted wookie has registered with the min of education to teach privates and has been told all is fine...it technically is not. I have an F-2 and asked about teaching privates. The ministry of education said it's fine, just register with them, give them an estimate of the number of students I had. Also, register with the tax office. No problem. I was so psyched, planned on opening a kyoshil. Then, when I told immigration my plan (just prior to plunking down cash to rent a site) they pulled the relevant law and showed me a line that strictly prohibits F-1 through F-3 from tutoring. I was floored, said the ministry had no prob, etc. He got on the phone to the ministry, pointed out the relevant law and the minstry official humbly apologized to me. So, good on yah, stunted. I shouldn't have mentioned it to immigration.

That being said, instead of opening my own little study room, I've jumped in with both feet and will be opening my own little hagwon. Main differences being I have to come up with 27 pyung of usable classroom space, it must be in a building zoned for commercial endeavors, the site has to meet all ministry of education regulations for hagwons...and that's a long list...just a lot more red-tape. On the plus side I can hire employees (and exploit the living tar out of them - for I will be the EVIL hagwon director?) and go to hagwon director meetings (right!). Anyway, I envy you now, stunted. Imagine the degree of envy will grow in time...

mack the knife · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: standing right behind you...

here it is,

you getting a loan to secure that 27 pyeong commercial space?

just curious, 'cause i'm planning on doing the same thing...i'm assuming the hogwon will be registered in your wife's name, so you don't have to put in the 50 mil. required of foreign investors...of course, you'll (we'll) probably need much more than that to open a hogwon that will potentially take business away from the established "big boys."

Stunted Wookie · Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Location: Sound Studio

My wife and I are on that same path..looking at a hogwan in the future...
To compete with the big boys...hell just write a sign in anything but Konglish and you can compete just fine...
The locals are so hyped on 'American' English...advertising that your school is owned and operated by foreigners would probably go a long way in the eyes of Azuma.

Yep I can't wait until we open...hire some idealistic neophyte direct from graduation to the hogwan......48 hours class time a week, have to serve kindy's lunch, prep time, plus cleaning time (Not paid of course)...Saturday and Sunday classes...Tuesday afternoons off only.
1.4 million to start, 1.2 to finish....Korean holidays off....without pay.

Must take Korean lessons (to be deducted off the salary), first 4 months wages are held as deposit...18.3% tax.

Housing provided.....provided they will stay with my neighbor....

HA...I could go on for hours....That rant made me feel pretty good! Have a great weekend!

dutchman · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: My backyard

If you have 27 pyung space you will not be opening a language hagwon. It would be a Bosup hagwon (a general study hagwon). I hope I'm wrong but I don't thinks so. If your wife opens it, immigration will NOT give you permission to work there. My wife and I were hours away from signing a least contract when immigration informed us that someone on an F-2 would not be allowed to work at a Bosup hagwon. That's my experience. Of course, they may tell someone else something different. Wouldn't be the first time.

If you want to open a language hagwon you need 50 pyung of classroom space.

I've given up on trying to jump through immigration's hoops. We've opened the kyoshil.