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dam_on
Joined: 12 Dec 2006
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 Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 2:51 am Post subject: Sucks to be me!!! new immi standards |
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So I got a call from a potential employer yesterday. I was busy and had the answering machine on so he left a message. Called him back today to set up an interview and he dropped a bombshell on me...starting from this year no new E-2 visas will be given to anyone who has a degree from a non-big 7 country (America, England, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Ireand). The guy had contacted the immi office after seeing that I graduated from a university in The Philippines just to make sure I was eligible (I'm currently on my 3rd E-2 here in ROK) and they told him that after they typed in my info into computer, it rejected it. Apparently everything is automated (computerized) now and they don't recognize The Philippines as an English-speaking country and even though my university is an accredited university ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silliman_University ) , the recruiter said there was nothing they could do.
Where does this leave me? Is there any way to get around this or will I have to leave Korea for good. I have good qualifications and a lot of experience in the ESL field, but it seems all of the scandals with fake degrees have caused immigration to tighten the noose. I'm wondering if I would be able to have the sponsor of my current E-2 changed to the new employer (with my previous boss giving permission) then have it extended for another year.
Needless to say...I was floored upon hearing this and spent a lot of my day thinking about what I would do if I can't stay.
Last edited by dam_on on Thu May 10, 2007 6:44 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 2:54 am Post subject: |
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| even though my university is an American university |
It was founded by Americans but that doesn't make it an "American" university. It's not based in the United States or a branch of an American university.
There are other Visas available- E2 is not the only one. |
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Whistleblower
Joined: 03 Feb 2007
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| Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 2:59 am Post subject: Re: Sucks to be me!!! new immi standards |
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| dam_on wrote: |
So I got a call from a potential employer yesterday. I was busy and had the answering machine on so he left a message. Called him back today to set up an interview and he dropped a bombshell on me...starting from this year no new E-2 visas will be given to anyone who has a degree from a non-big 7 country (America, England, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Ireand). The guy had contacted the immi office after seeing that I graduated from a university in The Philippines just to make sure I was eligible (I'm currently on my 3rd E-2 here in ROK) and they told him that after they typed in my info into computer, it rejected it. Apparently everything is automated (computerized) now and they don't recognize The Philippines as an English-speaking country and even though my university is an American university ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silliman_University ) , the recruiter said there was nothing they could do.
Where does this leave me? Is there any way to get around this or will I have to leave Korea for good. I have good qualifications and a lot of experience in the ESL field, but it seems all of the scandals with fake degrees have caused immigration to tighten the noose. I'm wondering if I would be able to have the sponsor of my current E-2 changed to the new employer (with my previous boss giving permission) then have it extended for another year.
Needless to say...I was floored upon hearing this and spent a lot of my day thinking about what I would do if I can't stay. |
I prefer teachers who have worked for their degree rather than attend a little dodgy university in Thailand which was cheaper than home univerisities.
Good luck and study a masters in the USA or where ever. |
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dam_on
Joined: 12 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 2:59 am Post subject: |
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| It was founded by Americans but that doesn't make it an "American" university. It's not based in the United States or a branch of an American university. |
You're right...I didn't mean it that way...bad choice of wording. Still though, it is fully accredited in the States and I am on my third E-2 with no problems in the past...guess the times are a changin'. |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 3:04 am Post subject: |
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You've already done this job? They could/should have "grandfathered" you in, but this is Korea.  |
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cbclark4
Joined: 20 Aug 2006
Location: Masan
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| Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 3:05 am Post subject: |
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Maybe you should ask the University to go to bat for you. They may have some pull.
cbc |
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dam_on
Joined: 12 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 3:28 am Post subject: |
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I prefer teachers who have worked for their degree rather than attend a little dodgy university in Thailand which was cheaper than home univerisities.
Good luck and study a masters in the USA or where ever. |
Well isn't that nice....... glad you cleared that up.
I was just checking the immigration website again and the procedure to change workplaces seems simple enough. I think i'll try this route. Has anyone done this and if so, were there any problems during the process? |
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diablo3
Joined: 11 Sep 2004
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| Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 4:02 am Post subject: |
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| there is one solution ... marry a Korean |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 5:07 am Post subject: Re: Sucks to be me!!! new immi standards |
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Good luck and study a masters in the USA or where ever. |
I don't know if this would work. It should in rational thinking, but that's not Korea.
Immi won't accept a Master's degree for an E-2 visa. I don't know what would happen if you got a Master's an applied again. |
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dam_on
Joined: 12 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 5:19 am Post subject: |
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diablo3 Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 4:02 am Post subject:
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there is one solution ... marry a Korean
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LOL..yeah,that would be one way to get around it.
Just to clarify...I am currently in-country on a valid E-2 visa. I was released from my previous employers contract and will be wanting to get a new job. The potential employer I mentioned earlier was told that I couldn't be granted a new E-2 but that if I was renewing my current E-2 with the company listed as my sponsor than it wouldn't be a problem. I'm wondering if I can't just change workplaces through immi (continue my current visa as it's still valid), then just have my new employer extend it for a year when the time comes.
I would love to talk directly to an immi official about this. I wish there was a number like 1350 (labor) for immigration that had English translators. |
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alabamaman
Joined: 25 Apr 2006
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| Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 5:28 am Post subject: Re: Sucks to be me!!! new immi standards |
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Discuss the matter with Korean Immigration Officials in person so you can hear it straight from the horses mouth. Whenever a prosepctive employer says, "I spoke with Mr. John Woo at Immigration" there exists a fairly good chance you were fed a bunch of bologne.
Last edited by alabamaman on Thu May 10, 2007 5:47 am; edited 4 times in total |
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poet13
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
Location: Just over there....throwing lemons.
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| Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 5:31 am Post subject: |
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[i]"I prefer teachers who have worked for their degree rather than attend a little dodgy university in Thailand which was cheaper than home univerisities. "
Good luck and study a masters in the USA or where ever"
Kind of sounds elitist, as if to say that unless you are from the 'big seven' as the OP puts it, you can't speak English, and your grammar skills are inferiror. As a person who lives in the Philippines, i have met many, many people whos' English skills and qualifications put some of the 'big seven' teachers to shame. |
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OiGirl
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Location: Hoke-y-gun
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| Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 5:35 am Post subject: |
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| Don't you still have to meet the (current) immigration requirements for an E-2 visa to teach English even if you marry a Korean? |
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CoDeReBeL
Joined: 04 May 2007
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| Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 6:33 am Post subject: |
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| ...your grammar skills are inferiror. |
 Priceless. Absolutely priceless. |
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pkang0202
Joined: 09 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 6:42 am Post subject: |
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| Isn't it ironic that Korea is not on the "Big 7" list in any of those countries. |
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