Korean Job Discussion Forums

n3ptne · Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Location: Poh*A*ng City

I know there are other threads about this.

I just came from Immigration because I'm in the process of getting my next E2, and while I was there I asked some probing questions about the new requirements. Thought I would share.

According to the officer that I spoke with, you will now need to present the following new documents to complete the process:

An HIV test
A drug test
A full medical physical
A criminal background check by your countries national police (i.e. the FBI)

These will be required as of December 15th.

Argue all you want about whether or not this will really happen, but if you're thinking about getting a new one soon... might want to start getting this shit together.

Oh, I forgot to ask the guy whether or not you need this if you are staying at the same job and just extending your E2 for another year.

Also forgot to ask what type of drug test they require (hair, piss, etc)

JungMin · Joined: 18 May 2005

C'mon dude.....you forgot all the important stuff!! Laughing

n3ptne · Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Location: Poh*A*ng City

I know. Sorry.

Kind of hard to explain to my boss why I need those questions answered... but since my visa isn't going to require this shit... doesn't really matter to me.

lastat06513 · Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 10:25 pm Post subject:

Ummm.......
From my understanding, isn't there an FBI field office in Seoul that is ran out of Yongsan or they might have a laison officer working out of the embassy? (I remember this because the day after that exchange student was murdered, I saw several Americans combing the hotel wearing those FBI jackets)
Please correct me if I am wrong, but I thought I saw a sign at YongSan once that was along side the CID office on Main Post....
Could they process CRCs there instead of having to go through the expense of having it done back home?

If you guys want to inquire, the base operator number is 02-7913-1110 and see if there is indeed an FBI field office there.....

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 10:28 pm Post subject: Re: New Visa Laws

n3ptne · Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Location: Poh*A*ng City

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 10:38 pm Post subject:

jjk · Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 11:02 pm Post subject:

Did you hear anything about the medical check for those not yet in Korea, as opposed to having to go home to get it. Will it be possible to have our doctor just give the drugs and HIV check, and then have it notarized (if they are going to be doing it)?

I would be interested in hearing anything else about the changes that came out of the meeting in Daejeon, as that is the Immigration office we will be dealing with in December, and as we know, different Immigration offices have a different interpretations of the rules~!

Thanks for what you have posted so far.

Merlyn · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Location: Korea

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 12:15 am Post subject:

dbl post

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 12:24 am Post subject:

Milwaukiedave · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Location: Goseong

It sounds like they are getting more realistic in terms of the new rules for getting a visa. The background check is a pain, but maybe it won't be quite as bad as it did when they first announced the changes.

sojourner1 · Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 1:01 am Post subject:

The only real problem I see is that December 15th is unrealistically too soon for anyone applying for a visa in the next 2 months to be ready. Normally a major policy change requiring new processes that take time would go into effect 6 to 12 months after it was announced. This generally applies to everything of an official nature in government agency matters.

What's the other deal where they plan to make full use of the existing English teachers to cover the shortage these hastily implemented policies will cause? I saw this printed in a Korea Herald newspaper article about 2 weeks ago.

Since I am in Korea and applying for a job now to start in late February, could I go ahead and get my medical including the drug and HIV check at my local Korean hospital?

Are the big hospitals all government operated? Mine is Fatima in Changwon which a big, modern, and very new hospital.

As you can see, there are so many questions to be answered and I would suspect that no one reading this can answer my questions, yet.

Milwaukiedave · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Location: Goseong

Sojourner,

I agree, it would have been more realistic to wait and make the new rules applicable for visas starting March 1st. Then again, given it's the Korean Government you are dealing with it's not surprising.

fruitcake · Joined: 18 Apr 2004 Location: shinchon

all this is downright laughable. HIV check??? where on Earth does this fit in with the whole scheme of things?

I was plannin on one more year here, but if this is what it will take, forget it. Korea is NOT some paradise and there are better places to be. If your prospects are that bleak and you submit yourself to this crap, then your tough luck.

Enough is enough. Been here 6yrs, have only taught uni, have my MATESL degree, don't do drugs, no criminal record, and don't cause problems here. All this is just a slap in the face for those here legitimately.

By the way, those HIV tests aren't completely accurate, so prepare to be kicked out anyway after your false positive comes in.

I'll still wait and see what the verdict is and then what my school can do to keep me around (if anything). But no f-n way I'm doing any of this nonsense. Korea just ain't worth it...

Done stressing about this...
peace