Korean Job Discussion Forums

robyn1882 · Joined: 19 May 2006

Does anyone know how I can go about finding out if I have been blacklisted and am unable to enter the country?? I broke my contract last year, afer working at a Kids College for a few months, and being put in a situation in which my director was trying to get me to lie to police for her about who broke into my apartment and stole EVERYTHING (she didnt want bad press for the school) Anyhow, my visa finally ends this summer and I want to go back. The director would not give me a letter of release, so I left. She emailed me after saying my name and passport number were put on a list and that I am restricted from entering the country for employment and travel. Is this list BS, or does it really exist. How do I find out if my name is on this list, and if it is, how do I go about redeeming myself??? Thanks guys, and info, would help!

polonius · Joined: 05 Jun 2004

It is possible for a director or even a recruiter to put you on a "blacklist" as far as immigration is concerned. I hired 2 teachers who were getting seriously screwed by their hakwon and recruiter. Essentially they had signed a deal, and once they arrived in Korea, with no E2 visa, they were notified that there was no work for them.

The recruiter felt that, in his words, "He owned them" and that they could not get another job unless they got one through him or certain recruiting fees and airlines fees were paid off. In the end, we decided to cover the recruiting fee, and as soon as we did, they were removed from said Blacklist. For the most part, my understanding of this said list is to ensure that the Koreans don't get shafted out of moneys that are due to them.

Now I don't know if there is a specific time alloted for people placed on the list. I guess the best way to find out is to try to process your visa, and if the have an issue with it, you can deal with it then.

Any chance you have documentation about your situation and what occured between you and your former boss? Also, do you have records of employment such as pay stubs. Were they making the proper deductions, such as pension and medical? If you do have this, and they didn't file for it, you might have a better leg to stand on,

PM me if you have an other unaswered questions.

TOMODACHI-KID · Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 11:18 pm Post subject:

"ROBYN1882,"

If your director had emailed you and mentioned this to you, then more than likely you are "blacklisted." There is actually a list of "blacklisted" teachers I had seen some time ago--can't remember. Anyhow, it takes a lot of effort for Hogwon Directors to actually follow through with "blacklisting" teachers--paperwork at Immigration, etcetera...so many just don't do it, but in your case...your Director sent a sledge hammer upon your head, via personal contact--email! Best thing to do: process your visa, and if it doesn't work, well, your out of luck!

GALOSHES! Shocked

Saxiif · Joined: 15 May 2003 Location: Seongnam

mj roach · Joined: 16 Mar 2003

Try applying for a job in another province. Immigration is not national and often the 'left hand' doesn't know what the 'right hand' is doing.

Or..

If the new employer has more clout (connections/friend) with immigration
than your previous sponsor, they will be able to get you an E2 even if you are blacklisted.

Either way, might be smart to have visa and plane ticket in hand before leaving home.

Worth a try...what have you got to lose?

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

OP- How long has it been since you left Korea?

robyn1882 · Joined: 19 May 2006

I left Korea last fall (september)

robyn1882 · Joined: 19 May 2006

SO if I do get approved for another visa, immigration cannot hassle me about my last contract?? Once I have this new visa, Im free to go about my business in Korea without the worry of my former employer trying to make my life hell.

Tokki1 · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 4:47 am Post subject:

I agree with the above replies.

You'd have to be convicted of a serious criminal offense in order to be denied a travel or work visa.

I mean seriously. I've seen teachers get into worse jams than that only to return with no problems.

So you pulled a runner? Worst case scenario: a fine.

Just fly in on a tourist visa and find a job, or find one before you arrive. I guarantee you'll be fine.

Saxiif · Joined: 15 May 2003 Location: Seongnam

robyn1882 · Joined: 19 May 2006

Thanks for the info guys. My contract is supposed to end next month, but I am not trying to go again until August or September. And I swear I didnt do a run because I was lazy or couldnt handle the culture. I loved the culture. I just listened to the foriegners at the school, instead of all of you about the dangers of working for Kids College. I don't think getting a visa will be a challange as there are many Korean Embassies to apply to here in Canada. I just had this fear of going through immigration at the airport and being detained!!Haha, anyways guys, thanks again, and if you think I need anymore info, please pass it along!

Tokki1 · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 4:54 am Post subject:

TheBrain · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Acme Lab

The sleazy actions of a hagwon drive yet another good teacher out of Korea. Why, oh why, is there such a shortage of foreign teachers? Rolling Eyes

TOMODACHI-KID · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 7:53 pm Post subject:

"MJ ROACH,"

THIS IS EXCELLENT ADVICE ON YOUR BEHALF--YES, IT'S TRUE:

"Try applying for a job in another province. Immigration is not national and often the 'left hand' doesn't know what the 'right hand' is doing."

robyn1882 · Joined: 19 May 2006

so does anyone know how to find out if your on a blacklist, or will your school/recruiter find out for you? If I do get a new job and new visa, is there a good chance that my midnight run will come back at me when I go through immigration? Will I be held or charged? I know that if my director put me on a list, she prolly made my run sound way worse than it was. Am I being to paranoid?