Korean Job Discussion Forums

syclick · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: Seoul

Forgive me if a similar post has already been made. I did a search and came up dry.

What do I do if I need to get back to the US for a few days, due to a family emergency? I'm facing a death in the family, and while I wish my reason to go back home was a little happier, it would really help to know what others have done in this situation.

Thanks in advance.

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Sorry to hear of your situation.
No one can tell you what to do or how your boss is going to react in this case. Normally Koreans are very understanding of those types family duties/responsibilities, but the 'death in the family/father is very ill' card has been played a lot by those 'teachers' just looking for a quick and painless way out of their contract;
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=10814
If your boss has been burned in this manner before, (s)he might need to be convinced of your sincerity. On the other hand I know of at least one school that paid the return airfare of a teacher in a similar situation, trusting the teacher to return when she was ready (which she did).

Lost Seoul · Joined: 10 Jan 2003

Sorry to hear about your situation. If you explain to your boss he or she will more than likely be understanding and give you time off.

If he or she wont let you go for something so serious I would not want to work for him or her anyway and would go home regardless.

syclick · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: Seoul

Well, I have just talked with my boss, and I am ok to leave for a few days next week.

Now, what do I have to make sure to do upon leaving Korea?

My E-2 Visa on my passport says multi-entry, but my alien registration card is supposedly a one-entry one. What problems will I face? What do I need to do before I leave Korea, to ensure I can come back?

katydid · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Location: Here kitty kitty kitty...

I always thought that card was good for one year. When I left my last job, the alien registration card's expiration date was a few weeks ahead of when I was leaving. I literally had to shove it into the hand of the immigration officer. I left and came back this year on my new card no problem.
If you say you are coming back to them, they'll let you leave with the card.

syclick · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: Seoul

My only worry about the card is that when I went to immigration at Mokdong, there were two card options: buy a one-entry card for W10,000, or buy a multi-entry one for W60,000. I had just arrived and was flat broke, so I bought the W10,000 one.

Holyjoe · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Location: Away for a cuppa

I think the money relates to the stamp in your passport - you can get a single entry visa for 10k, and a multiple entry one (which you have) for 50k or 60k.

If he tries to take the card, open your passport and show him the multiple entry stamp and also your return ticket. Make it clear you're coming back and you shouldn't have any problems.