Korean Job Discussion Forums

chachee99 · Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Location: Seoul Korea

If you find a new position and your school gives you a letter of release will you still have to submit a criminal record check and medical to transfer your current visa to a new employer? Or will immigration classify as a visa extention with the same conditions for those renewing their current visa before the March 15th where no CRC or medical check is needed?

daz1979 · Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Location: Gangwon-Do

This question was raised at a conference in Wonju yeaterday. The immigration official stated that you don't need to provide anything before March 15th regardless whether you are actually changing employers or simply renewing.

Zaria32 · Joined: 04 Dec 2007

The immigration official who said that no doubt knows more than I do, but I've, um, noticed that immigration officials don't always agree. For example, if there are 30 immigration officials, there will be about 20-25 different opinions.

blade · Joined: 30 Jun 2007

NoDolan · Joined: 29 Jul 2007

I was also told that you had to complete 10 months.

Otherside · Joined: 06 Sep 2007

I heard, 6, 7, and 9 months from different people.
The most legitimate answer I got was from my recruiter (for a pub school
gig) who said "70%" of contract...which is about 9months.

I'm on 5 months.

blade · Joined: 30 Jun 2007

Otherside · Joined: 06 Sep 2007

Well, if the rules are different for pub schools....The agency i'm working with and the immigration office we've been in contact with have no clue.

I'm unemployed, with LOR in hand (and a good reference from previous employer)...and the pub school still needs me to get a new visa. i.e. wait for CRC, visa run...and most likely miss march 1 start date.

daz1979 · Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Location: Gangwon-Do

Ut videam · Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Location: Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do

chachee99 · Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Location: Seoul Korea

Thanks for all the answers. I didn't know immigration changed the laws making it easier to transfer your visa. Anyways here's the situation.

My contract (private school) expires on March 1st and my new contract (public school) starts March 3rd. Because of the March 15th deadline, do I even need a letter of release? Does it matter if my new job is a public school position? I know from experience that a letter of release means Korean immigration can transfer and extend my visa and I won't have to do a visa run.
My last day of teaching at my current job is February 16th due to the break before the new semester starts. The school already said they would give me a letter of release without any problems, just as long as I finish the semester.

However, now I am wondering when I should have them date it? If I have them date it for the 17th of February, is it possible they could avoid paying my severance bonus because it looks like I quit and never finished the entire term of the contract? I really don't want to get screwed out of a few million won.

LarrytheGiraffee · Joined: 12 Feb 2006

You will still need a letter of release since your new job will probably not want to send you to Japan. The letter of release should be for the day your contract ends. Your new contract should say that you start on that same day, even though you really wont begin until March 3rd.

You should take the LOR plus all the other documents to Immigration on or before March 1st, but I dont think you can do it after. From what I understand, you will still have to submit a CRC but you will have until March 15th to turn in that document.

Good luck and happy transfering!!!!

chachee99 · Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Location: Seoul Korea