Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Morton]

Hi folks,
Some of you may know some of my story but most of you will not. I've taught English in Korea for 18 months and decided to try to get a job more related to my degree, (marketing.)
I had a couple of interviews and got offered a job. I ironed out all the details and sent them the signed contract. I then quit my job at an elementary school. I went home to the UK picked up two notarized copies of my degree and came back expecting to start my new job within a week or two. Unfortunately i received an email from the company saying that the visa process would take longer than anticipated.
I was then also told to provide a 'certificate of career.' I typed one up and sent it to the company. The company then said immigration want references from every company i mentioned on my 'certificate of career.'

Which leaves me at my current position. I'm here on a tourist visa, trying to get references from companies i worked for years ago, spending my savings, and becoming more and more nervous immigration is not going to give me a visa.

I've gone from thinking that i had a great wee opportunity to make a little headway in my chosen subject to thinking that i'm up shit creek without a paddle.

[Juregen]

How many companies did you work for?

[soviet_man]

Difficult, but not impossible is my first thought.

Some suggestions that come to mind:

Is it possible to use a different Immigration office in a different city?
The way one Immi office assesses your paperwork, could be very different to how another branch would assess it. Depending on where your workplace is located and what jurisdiction the local Immi office has, I think it could be entirely feasible to use a different Immi office. For example there are parts of Gyeonggi which can be serviced by more than one Immi branch office. I have known situations where a visa application rejected in Ilsan branch, could be accepted in Uijeongbu branch.

If Immi gives you get a negative outcome, ask to speak to the branch Manager. Few Koreans would yield to a low level functionary without pushing the envelope a bit (sometimes literally) and the diabolical paperwork requirements in the current climate means anything is possible. Speak to the Manager, see whether something can be 'arranged'. Some Immi offices will be stricter than others, just the same as overseas embassies will invent and enforce their own rules arbitrarily. Go when it is quiet (not first thing in the morning) and they may give you a fairer hearing.

Did your employer provide Notorized Affidavit of support.
For an E7 situation your employer could of overlooked submitting something simple like this and anything that gives legitimacy to your application is worth using. The same with the referees, pathetic though it is. But any positive letter of reference you have I'd photocopy and give them.

Short-term business visa category
This could be a *potential* temporary fix. It could cover you for 90 days, followed by a visa run, if you and your employer would go along with it.

Worst case scenarioNot the end of the world. It is not equivilent to a blacklisting. If a new E7 isn't issued for whatever reason and everything has been exhausted, you would have a blank slate and there is no reason you couldn't apply for another E2 and go back to teaching.

[Morton]

Juregan - I worked for three companies back home. One bank has asked for the reference request in writing. The other two have sent references already. One was really helpful, while the other sent a reference with no company headed paper or signature on it.

Soviet man - thanks for the advice. I think i'll go into the office tomorrow and try to motivate the relevant people to make some positive moves. I'm sick of sitting around doing nothing.