Korean Job Discussion Forums

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

I'll try to keep this short and to the point.

My last job (a private rural high school) agreed that I could leave mid-contract. No problems.

My former boss was 'sure' he had to take the ARC card and Letter of Release to Immigration and said he'd wait till the first week of Feb. to do so.

My new boss said he was 'sure' he had to take my ARC card and Letter of Release to Immigration and he'd do it the first week of February.

I suggested the two of them discuss this IN KOREAN between themselves and perhaps call Immigration and get a definite answer.

I mailed my ARC card to the previous employer (I kept it in case I needed it here in Seoul the first week to start up phone service etc.)

The previous boss took the card and letter to Immi last Friday. Today the new boss called Immi and said he got angry with them when they said HE had to bring them in. They 'don't know anything about already receiving them' last Friday. He came to my desk and told me to call the former boss (I don't know what this was supposed to accomplish. I strongly suspect the two did not communicate.)

How much trouble am I in?

Should I start packing up my boxes and get ready to get kicked out of the country?

polonius · Joined: 05 Jun 2004

From my experience with letting people go before the end of the contract... We have had to send a representative from our school with an LOR, and NOT the ARC card. Your previous boss just needs to cancel your current E2 Visa.

I recently hired 2 teachers who had left their previous positions after 2 months. We sent their documents to immigration prior to them being released from their E2. They were released on the 1st of February, and we had their confirmation number for a new visa by the 5th. So the documents were already at immigration, and the process had been started, all that needed to happen was that their previous employer release them.

This all happened in Seoul. Things could be different in other provinces, but why would they be?

I suggest, have your previous boss go to immigration asap, and cancel your E2. Then it should be easy-peasy. But then is anything really that easy here.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

antoniothegreat · Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Location: Yangpyeong

cant they just go together? then no matter what is supposed to happen, if they are both there, they can get it done.

of course, this is too logical for korea, they probably would both forget the documents they needed thinking the other would bring it.

polonius · Joined: 05 Jun 2004

Strangy... like I mentioned before, we just hired 2 people who got out of their previous E2, and although I have a copy of their LOR, I didn't submit it to immigration with the paper work. I still can't imagine that they would punt you out of the country, except for having to go to Japan for a new visa run.

I am curious how this turns out for you, keep us posted.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Strange indeed. Are you dealing with the same Immi office? I'd suggest that you go with the old boss to immi yourselves and make sure the old visa is cancelled. At least that way you're in the clear. You may get an exit order and have to leave and come back, but at least that way you're safe.

What kind of job are you going to now?