Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Pyongshin Sangja]

Er. Thanks.

[twg]

[Mr. Pink]

I get the feeling that those F visa ppl that do like to brag are typically younger (in their 20s), spent a minimal time in Korea before getting married (1-3 years) and definitely do not have kids or permanent ties to the country.

Some of the older timers with F visas seem to be the voices of moderation. When I first got married, men could not even get F series visas. Only women who married Korean men could. I don't remember any of those women bragging. Hell, I am sure those bragging recently are guys.

Someone asked why F-2 holders don't have to go through the same hoops as an E-2 visa, let me ask you: if you married a Korean and went back to your home country. The sponsorship you would do, would entitle your significant other to work without any additional visas, is that fair to those who need visas to work in your home country? (Think: greencard, permanent residence, etc.)

Korea is WAY behind in their F visas in what other countries offer to those who marry its citizens. Sure I had to go through hoops to get my wife a permanent residence card for Canada, but she has every right a citizen has, save voting rights. Can the same be said for F visa people in Korea? Not even close.

[Cheonmunka]

F5 is not a permanent residence. If you leave the country more than one year you have to apply for a some re-entry residence thing.
I know that once my wife stays in NZ more than 2 years, fulfilling the terms of the temporary residence visa that she now has in her passport (and renews this every two years while we are here) she can stay in NZ indefinately and get all the voting rights etc.
She doesn't have to apply for a re-entry thing once she has her permanent residency. To get permanent residency was a hassle but all up would take three years.
To get an F5 at the fastest would take two years and a few weeks. But, in my mind it doesn't carry the same weight as the western view of permanent residency.

PS: In the old E2 days, how many other people here on Dave's had Korean children yet could only have their rights to live in Korea sponsored by their employer? Even as a father (of Korean children! plural) trying to make a go of it I couldn't do private work, couldn't take another job, couldn't start my own business ....
Any KOrean person I met who saw this situation realized how unfair it was.

I wrote several letters at that time to government websites. They were read. I am glad now that these people have offered a better living system for us. But, even the F5 still lacks substance. It's just a card. No stamp in the passport. Just a plastic card that can be confiscated at any time.

PPS: If there were still no family visas available I think I would have given Korea a final finger salute - which would have been unfortunate because my children's grandparents would likely have never seen their grandkids again.
There's no need in this day and age not to have this system in place. It's many years too late.

[Ilsanman]

It's called reading between the lines. You don't always have to say something to imply it.

You try to look good by making me look bad, but your last sentence gives you away.

[SuperFly]

[Southern Drawl]

Cheonmunka wrote:

[babtangee]

[Ilsanman]

Never happened before!!

[eamo]

[SuperFly]

[Pyongshin Sangja]

Marry whoever you want, just please don't expect me to believe that people with F-visas are less likely to act out than E-2 holders. "Been here longer, blood, sweat and tears, I'm racially connected to Korea." It just doesn't hold up to logical reasoning. Those arguments are farcical. It is, however, what Immi. seem to be doing. Criminal checks and med. checks are allright, I suppose, but I think they should apply to ALL people in Korea teaching children. Wasn't the guy who molested a kid at the Paju English Village an F-series holder kyopo? Perhaps some of you F-ers agree with me, but a lot of the talk here seems to be gloating about how much they will benefit from the new laws (if they even come down at all.)

I also think that the double standard applied to foreign men marrying Korean women vis-a-vis foreign women marrying Korean men is sexist, racist and wrong. Women can become permanent residents, but men can't. Wouldn't men with F-2-1 visas be in a better position to argue against this law than E-2 holders?

Frankly, shouldn't E-2 holders who stay here for more than 5 years be able to apply for permanent residency? I strongly believe that they should. If Korea wants to level the playing field and do business with Western, liberal democracies that admit thousands of Koreans as equals every year Korea should stop being so RACIST.

And while we're talking about the impossible, I want a speedboat for Christmas.

[anyway]

Why would I envy someone married to a Korean? The kimchi? The in-laws? The constant struggle with the Joneses?

Oh yea, the visa. Well, my friend, one man's visa is another man's ball and chain.

OH, I get it! I should be jealous of your ability to take as many jobs as you'd like and work like a slave from morning til night? Who wouldn't be jealous?

[Ilsanman]

It's no more or less enviable than marrying someone from your own country. Each case is different.

The F-2 visa gives us rights that every English teacher should have, but doesn't.

[SuperHero]