Korean Job Discussion Forums

Hijack · Joined: 02 Jul 2007

I've already spent a year in Seoul teaching and love it. I left for a bit and am heading back... SOON.

I have yet to receive the contract from my employer (even though I have a verbal agreement). The school is on vacation and I probably won't have it until Saturday. (Before you suggest the job isn't real, let me assure you it is - a friend works there and I've spoken with the director personally several times.)

So here's the situation:

-I need to buy a plan ticket to Seoul before I can't afford it
-I probably need to fly to either Houston or LA to get my visa
-I don't have the paperwork necessary to even build a time-line around to schedule these events

I start teaching on August 13th and would like to arrive a week ahead of that to adjust to everything and see some friends.

Should I just book the flight without the visa and count on them sending me to Japan to get it? Seems like it would be easier and cheaper for me if they paid for that flight. Advice?

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

They haven't given you anything tangable yet. Shop around.

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

If you pay for your own flight, you employer won't pay for it AND the ticket to Japan.

Why must you go to Houston or LA for a visa? The Korean Consulate you should go to is the one for your area, and you can do it through mail.

Don't shell out money until everything is confirmed by your employer. If they don't have their sh()t together, you may want to consider someone else.

gyopogirlfromtexas · Joined: 21 Apr 2007 Location: Austin,Texas

The Houston consulate is the only one in Texas. I think there are Korean Consulates in NY, LA, Atlanta, and Houston. I mailed my documents for visa and it took them 3 days and overnight mail.

I wouldn't risk leaving without a visa though. It's 50/50 gamble. Some people say if you look professional, they won't look. But I just can't see how they would risk paying a fine and having to bring you back to the states on their own dime, when all they had to see was if you had a valid visa to enter. I thought the 30 day tourist was sufficient, but no, they are not going to let you in the country without a roundtrip or onward ticket, with the tourist visa. I called around on yahoo yellow pages and asked for cheapest flights, they all seem to be Singapore Air.

rvintage · Joined: 05 Jul 2005

Actually if they stop you because of the visa it will be when you try to get on the plane to come here, not when you get here. Once you are here they don't care and I've done it before with a visitors visa with no onward ticket, no problem.

And, yes, they will not pay for both the plane ticket over AND the Japan visa run. So, it's up to you if you want to foot the bill for one of those.

And why didn't they take care of sending you a 5 second email with the contract before they went on vacation???

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Don't bother, keep looking if you really want to come work here...although why anybody would, beats me. Very Happy

Hijack · Joined: 02 Jul 2007

Squid · Joined: 25 Jul 2003 Location: Sunny Anyang

What's the problem?

Just get yourself a return ticket and obtain a visitors visa upon entry here in Korea.

Check out your potential employer and do a deal on the airfare- either a lump sum on the spot... or split it into two payments: half now, half on completion of the contract...or up the monthly pay to reflect reimbursement of the total over the 12 months ( If you went with another employer the least you'd get is the return leg and Japan run paid. )

Also have them fly you to Japan for your E2.

Standard practice. No need to jerk around spending money your end flying around trying to get an E2 without the necessary papers. That's a dead-end.

Don't see the problem.