Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hiphopjunkie]

I don't have links to anything, this is a result of 3 hours on the phone with Seoul immigration (02-500-9068).

I am changing universities, and needed to transfer my visa so that I didn't have to reapply for an E-2. 2 days ago, immigration told my new university that because my visa expires (in the middle of February) before my new contract starts (March 1st) that I would have to reapply for an E-2. This involves submitting all documents as if it is the first time:

1. a copy of the first 2 pages of your passport
2. 2 photos
3. a letter of release from your current employer
4. sealed transcripts
5. original diploma
6. certificate of criminal record check (no grace period - it should be presented in order to get your visa issuance number)
7. medical check

Now, everything on this list is OK, aside from the criminal check. There is no way that I could have gotten my info from the US in time to get my visa processed. Aside from the time constraints, I'm still uncertain about the whole apostille process.

To get some questions answered about the apostille, I called Seoul immigration. I was transfered, then transfered again, and finally ended up with a helpful, yet woefully English challenged, gentleman. In the end, he said that I would have to reapply for a new E-2 but that I should call the Suwon immigration office to confirm (as this is where my current ARC was issued).

After trying Suwon immigration 4 times, only to be faced with busy signals and recordings telling me to call again later, I tried Seoul one more time. This time I got through to another helpful soul, one that spoke English well. He listened to me, asked for my ARC number (shouldn't the first guy have done the same?), checked my status, and told me that I had no problem - just fill out the appropriate forms, get the paperwork I needed from both universities, and come into the Seoul immigration office to transfer my visa. As this was the answer I was hoping for, I asked him to call my new uni and explain it, in Korean, to the person in charge of processing the new hires.

Here is the new laundry list of to-do's to transfer my visa over:

1. passport
2. ARC
3. official application form that indicates "alteration or addition of employment place" with a photo attached (this was emailed as an attachment from my new uni, but is a form that I assume can be found in the immigration office)
4. release letter from old uni
5. new contract from new uni
6. letter of guarantee from new uni
7. 60,000 won fee

As I'm doing all this before March 15th, I don't need to provide a criminal check, nor health check at this time. HOWEVER, next time I renew my visa (even if it's with the same school) I'll have to provide documentation of both. I'm getting a health check this week, which I can turn in to immigration and my new uni, and be done with. This summer I'm going home, will get my criminal check, and can submit it when I get back.

This is what I went through today, and I just wanted to post so that people can have an up to date version of what immigration is doing. Feel free to ask any questions, I'll answer what I can.

*EDIT* To clarify, the change will be done before March 15th, BUT I MUST AMEND MY WORKPLACE BEFORE MY CURRENT VISA EXPIRES IN FEBRUARY

[Trevor]

I'm changing before march 15th too. Just in case, though, is it possible to get an American CRC without leaving Korea? How?

I am an orphan and have no relatives in the U.S. to go to the police station.

[hiphopjunkie]

It varies from state to state as to how to get you CRC. I don't think that's the difficult part. Here is a link for states and their requirements. http://www.casanet.org/program-management/volunteer-manage/criminal-bkg-check.htm

What will be tricky is how to get it apostilled. It has to be taken to different offices to be done, and I don't know if you have to do that yourself, or a 3rd party can do it for you. Here is a link of apostille info by state. http://www.apostilleinfo.com/usa.htm

[maisonderik]

I have a question for Hiphopjunkie. I am about to do the same thing with my new employer. However, does my old employer have to come with me to immigration or can I just go with my new employer as long as I have the release letter? I found out about this process about a month ago and it is really good for those of us who have been here for a while. I am also getting all of my other stuff done now i.e. the criminal check and medical check. But to be honest I think that this will be my last year teaching in Korea. It is just a pain to have to get all of this stuff done when you are here and trying to get your family members involved from overseas is such a burden on them. Anyways thanks for posting this. I am sure it will help out a lot of others that are in our same situation.

[hiphopjunkie]

maisonderik,

The only thing needed from your current-soon-to-be-former employer is the letter of release (freeing you from your current obligations, able to pursue work elsewhere). Mine is written as such:


Name: (my name)
Nationality:
Passport No.:
Address: (it's the address on my ARC)

The above person has been working at ***** from ***** to Present in the position of *****. We hereby give or consent to release him from his contractual obligation at ***** from 2008 (insert month and day here).

We give ***** permission to seek employment at a new job place. If we release him from the contract, we don't need to do anything further.

Date: (date is was written and signed)


Signature and info of university official. Official university stamp.


The list of documents I (and presumably you) will need are:

1. passport
2. ARC
3. official application form that indicates "alteration or addition of employment place" with a photo attached (this was emailed as an attachment from my new uni, but is a form that I assume can be found in the immigration office)
4. release letter from old uni
5. new contract from new uni
6. letter of guarantee from new uni
7. 60,000 won fee


As far as I know, you don't need anyone to go to immigration with you, just have all of your paperwork ready to submit, and you should be good. To be on the safe side though, bring your new employer's phone number in case you need someone official to clarify anything about your situation.

Yeah, this is all a pain in the ass for us now, but in 6-12 months (assuming that the MOJ keeps this policy) it will just be another part of the application process for all 1st time E-2 applicants. It's a slight bump in the road. For those that actually enjoy living in Korea, and have jobs that they like, it's not really that big of a deal.

If you are changing locations before March 15th, and this will be your last contract, you don't have to get your criminal check. According to the immigration officer I spoke with, who relayed the info to my new university, that will be required only when renewing after March 15th, 2008.

Hope this helps. If there is anything else, let me know.

[MA_TESOL]

i have been at my current university for 4.5 years and have transferred to another university. Just needed a Letter of Release which mentioned that I was going to the new University. The new university has assured me that I do not need a Criminal Background check. So, my expereince seems to be the same as the OP

[dimnd]

S crim check from Colorado...13 bucks in money order or cashiers check..no personal check...put down that you want notarized on official letterhead..for 13.00...then when u get it...a lady named Anne answers in the Secy of State office and she asked which country..said SK and she said mail her the crim check together with ..she recommended..an overnight envelope...flat rate if in USA ..no charge to get the SK apostille/


No prints needed..just have to sign the name of the person for the crim check...put address where u want..family member or whomever and then get it sent to ya in SK that way..
She says she sends it out the next day...takes 3-5 days for the manual crc on CBI letterhead officially done..