Korean Job Discussion Forums

[skichick]

Hello,
Just wondering what your opinion was on landing in Korea without a job. Is it relatively easy to find a (b/w 1.8-2.1 mill) job? (Busan area). I understand that paid accomodation is often a part of the teaching contract. I'm coming over with a friend, and we would like to live together. Would we then have to teach at the same school to get the accomodation sorted? Has anyone gone through this? Any advice greatly appreciated!

[weatherman]

I believe coming over and looking is the way to do it. I did it this route way back when, and it is good to have a look around the place before you sign your life away. Come prepared for a month or a little more of cash just to be safe, and be prepared to go to Japan for the visa run. As for finding work with your friend, I think it would be possible, but would take a little more time and luck, especially if you are only going to be looking in the Busan area. You might want to think Seoul metro area too. Anyways, best of good fortunes to you.

[Zyzyfer]

Yea, it's a more sure-fire way to land a good job, but there are some points to note:

1. You run the risk of not getting your flight paid for. The school might pay for your visa run instead, but there is the possibility that your wonder school won't pay for your plane ticket over, because it might've been too expensive.

2. Two months' worth of funds might be better to have. Many schools might give you an advance on your money, but, if not, you might be waiting a full month after you find your job to start getting paid.

[guerillera]

Any other tips?

[climber159]

Perhaps you could apply to some schools that look promising and schedule a few imterviews during your first week here.

One important considerations to be aware of is that if this is your first E-2 visa you will likely need to get it from your home country. I'm pretty sure your prospective employer is not going to pay for a round-trip ticket to your home nation.

[houseman]

can't you get your first visa from any country so long as you're not in korea? ie. fly to japan rather than having to fly all the way back to canada?

[climber159]

Don't let your hagwon boss take you for a ride so early in the contract. He/she does not have a friend in Immigration who can wave this requirement. Your first E-2 visa must be obtained from your home country.

[ed1980]

really ?

My wife and I will be arriving in April (tickets already booked)

Does that mean we need to sort out a job and visa before we get there ????????

We worked over there before on E-2, but both have new passports since then.

Also - would arriving without a return flight be a problem ??

cheers

[fezmond]

[littlelisa]

If you've had a previous E2, you should be alright.

[eljuero]

Sorry to be redundant on this if I'm not understanding -
If I want to go w/o a previous visa, I could fly one way with a tourist visa with my police checks (apostilled & checked by S. Korean embassy in the US?), sealed envelope with 4 year degree transcripts and then I would likely be flown to japan for a stop at the Korean embassy?
Should be a flow chart for this process somewhere no?
ElJuero

[littlelisa]

If you've never had an E2, don't do it. You'll have to fly back to your own country for the interview with the Korean consulate. Japan visa runs will not be possible.

[The Sherriff]

I'm planning on doing this on an F-4 Visa.

I'm not completely sure if I want to teach English at a Hagwon, just tutor privately, or maybe even work a regular job, but I'm wondering what documents I need in order to get a job while I'm IN Korea, either teaching English or just a regular job?

Do I need to arrive with basically all the same documents as one would require in order to get an E-2 such as a a police check (done from home), a copy of my transcripts notarized by my local SK consulate, degree, etc.?

Or can I pretty much just arrive with my degree?

[seoladhchian]

So I've never had an E-2 visa before but am thinking about coming over to Korea on a tourist visa to look for a job. I've read one post saying that you have to do an interview at your home country Korean consulate to obtain your first E-2 visa. Is this true or will I be able to do a visa-run to Japan etc if I get a job?

Thanks

[Nexus11]

If you haven't had an E-2 before, you will have to return to your home country for an interview at the consulate. I would only suggest landing in Korea and looking for a job if you have had an E-2 before.