Job Discussion Forums

[Thel]

Hi Any and All,

I've read about people making a life in Japan, Korea, etc., staying there for many years. How is this done? I'm aware that different regulations govern different countries, but let's take Korea (largely because I can't seem to post a message in that forum for some reason): my understanding is that the visa is granted on the strength of one's employment status there; that it's vouchsafed by the hagwon director, university, and so forth. If you're contract concludes, doesn't this mean that you're no longer entitled to remain in the country? Do people staying there for years simply obtain continual employment in order to remain, or is there some kind of grace period between contracts wherein a foreigner can stay? Again using Korea as an example, do people become naturalized citizens after a certain period?

Thank you.

Thel

[thrifty]

No, they just can't go back.

[tedkarma]

Generally speaking, you must remain employed to stay in most countries for extend periods of time. Each country is different and has different rules and requirements.

"Naturalization" or acquiring citizenship is rarely easy in Asian countries.

Some countries, such as Thailand, The Phillipines, and Malaysia (and others I am sure) - have retirement policies that allow extended stays for people above certain ages (often 50) if they provide proof of certain levels of financial resources.

[tedkarma]

[JZer]

[JZer]

[Sgt Killjoy]

JZer; True, but then you must make another visa run to get a new visa. New visas are getting more difficult to get, even now some consulates are requiring criminal background checks to get a visa.

And let's not forget about the new limit of 3 30 day permits in any 180 day period.

For the OP: a job is the most common way of getting a visa to stay awhile. Some countries have flexible requirements for those with income from abroad, others only extend those benefits to retirees.

[Thel]

Thanks for the feedback, guys.

Then the surest way to remain is to make sure you secure another contract, either from the current employer or a new one, long before the working contract ends. How does that work when the contract is suddenly terminated?...I've read of directors hastily firing teachers on the flimsiest of pretexts to save dishing out bonus money...right: the famous visa run. Four hundred bucks flight-money isn't lunch at a kiosk, but it's not that bad if it means returning to a job paying between 2-3 grand a month with free housing. Plus, a bit of hectic uncertainty adds a kind of spice to life that we appreciate. Good stuff. Thanks.

Thel

PS: Thrifty: ha!

[JZer]

[tedkarma]

[Thel]

Hey, Tedkarma:

That's an impressive amount of time. This is your life, then, right? We often think it might be a life for us, too; but of course we can't be certain until we're there for a while.

From what I've read, unscrupulous directors are not uncommon. It might not happen as often as a reading of these boards suggests (because how many satisfied teachers come here to praise their directors and employment?), but there must be some risk. The link you left was excellent, though--good, probing questions that will help us when the time comes. Probably the best point you made was that a good teacher will be an asset worth the director's while to keep. The biggest challenge for me is becoming a good teacher, something I gather is a combination of temperment/personality traits; dedication; and experience (as an aside, it's funny, but I never thought of myself as becoming a teacher until I dug in and thought about my past and how much pleasure I got from communicating things to people, showing them something new).

By the way, I don't know what you position you hold, but would you say that university jobs are safer in terms of employer honesty than language schools, or public schools? We've decided to stay here longer than we want to in order for me to gain the credentials that might get me a uni. job. If there's a significant difference between those jobs and language school jobs in terms of employer contractual accountability, then the point about early termination might be moot in my case.

Thel

[JZer]

[JZer]

[JZer]

Thel, I would say that when you are finished with your studies and if you decide on Korea. You should apply for universities in the country side and public schools. Skip the hogwons if you can.

[Thel]