Korean Job Discussion Forums

[0916]

If you teach a Korean friends kids for free on an E2 is that illegal?

I have a friend who does loads of favours for me so I said I will help his kids with English.

[faddat]

Hey, I think that since this has reached 40 pages, it would be good if one of the more-informed members or admins provided a summary of the situation thus far. Personally.... I just want more money for having to deal with more crap. Anyway.... a summary would be great.

Thanks

-Jake

[lorenchristopher]

Hey everyone. I've found info regarding visa renewals, etc. But this is my first time in S. Korea and I'm looking for a teaching position to start now. I've ordered my criminal background check w/ Apostille, which I will receive in less than two weeks. Then I'll have all necessary documents (save the health exam) for the E2 visa.

BUT, since it's my first time here and I'm on a tourist visa, do I really need to go back to my home country for an interview with the consulate?? I heard something about taking a run to Japan and the Korean consulate ther. This would be much better for me.

Any advice would help a great deal as I'm starting to freak out!! Thanks!

[panchotino]

okay, what if i've finished my contract and now i am at home?
i've got all my crim checks etc.i want to get there sooner so can i go to korea, with a signed contract in hand and still do a japan visa run?

[Kimchi Cha Cha]

Hi,

I thought I'd give a heads-up to anyone planning, in the process of, or
thinking about starting, continuing or returning to Korea with an E-2
Visa. It looks like there's yet another hurdle thrown in at the last
minute which you have to clear in order get an E-2 Visa.

Now, you not only need: # Degree or notarized with an Apostille seal
copy of degree, # Sealed transcripts, # Police check in your home
country notarized with an Apostille seal, # Passport photos, # Self-
answered health questionnaire (followed by a doctor's visit to make
sure you don't have the hiv or are on drugs once you arrive in the
ROK), and # Visa application form. As of yesterday, confirmed by the
Korean Consulate in Sydney, you also now need a Police Check from
Korean National Police to hand in with the other documents when
applying for a Visa in the pre-Visa interview. {If they don't like you
or your answers given in the self-questionnaire, or if you have a
criminal history or health issues, they won't issue you a Visa.)

To find out the full details of this new Korean National Police check,
look at http://aus-sydney.mofat.go.kr/index.jsp then click 'English'
and then 'Information Services' then 'Criminal Background check'. This
extra hurdle takes at least two to four weeks to complete ...

This extra hurdle hopefully won't put anyone else out, like it has me.
Cheers

[SirFink]

Has anyone been allowed to skip the consulate interview? It's been mentioned (even by EPIK I think) that previous E2 holders won't need to do the interview, but I've been told that's not the case: EVERYONE will be required to do the interview IN PERSON (i.e. no telephone or web-cam interview).

[Ut videam]

[Ut videam]

[Kimchi Cha Cha]

Here's the information from the Korean Consulate, Sydney's website regarding the Korean National Police check. Note that this information was recently uploaded, 31st January, and I noticed it the day after. Upon noticing it, I called the Consulate explaining my situation (foreigner having lived in Korea for four and a half years), the official was pretty certain I had to do the check though asked a senior for clarification. I could overheard some of the conversation and distinctly heard the word 'waegukin' a number of times. She returned to the phone and said indeed, I definitely needed a Korean National Police record check in order to obtain an E-2 Visa.

I'm not doubting that they might have made a mistake and that as a foreigner I don't need a Korean police record check but having seen it online, called and have the information seconded and confirmed, it seems Sydney's Korean Consulate at least wants all foreigners to get a Korean Police check as well.

Thanks for your information. I'll either call or head in to the Consulate tomorrow to see what answer they give me then.

Tomorrow, my girlfriend's going to call the Foreign Affairs Bureau of the Korean National Police Agency also, to see what answer she gets out of this.

~~~~~~~~~~~From the website, last updated: 31st January, 2008
Notice it says that the application must be sent to the
Foreign Affairs Bureau of Korean National Police Agency

HOW TO APPLY FOR A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK

1. Step I
► Applicants must have their application form stamped by an overseas Korean
mission (embassies or consulates).
► How to get your application stamped from the Consulate
1) Bring your passport and 1 passport size photo to the Consulate in person.
※ Please note that applications must be lodged by the applicants themselves.
2) Complete the application.
3) Submit your passport and application form to the Consulate to be stamped
by the Consulate.

► Application via mail
1) If you are sending your application via mail, please have your form and
a copy of your passport signed by a JP.
2) Send the self-addressed return envelope, the application forms signed
by JP (Justice of Peace) and attach 1 passport size photo, 1 copy of
photo page of passport signed by JP to the Consulate.
3) Then the Consulate will return your application form stamped.

2. Step 2
► Applicants must send following documents to Korean National Police
Agency via air mail or DHL by themselves.
- 1 police record check application form (stamped by the Consulate)
- Copies of the passport (photo page, Korean visa label,
entry/exit date stamp)
- Contact details (name, postal address, home number, mobile number,
work number, email address on a plain sheet of paper)
► Choose how you would like your application returned from the Korean
National Police Agency.
1) If you want to receive your result via ordinary mail, you have to
- Send application form and above-mentioned attachments
- With 6 Coupons for response (purchased from any Australian post office)
- And self-addressed Air Mail envelope
2) If you want to receive your result via DHL, you have to
- Send application form and attachments
- Pay for delivery fee to DHL.
- On the DHL invoice, make sure you have a full postal address and your name

3. Postal Address to Korea

Foreign Affairs Bureau of Korean National Police Agency
209 Mikeun-dong, Seodaemun-ku, Seoul 120-704, The Republic of Korea
Tel: 82-2-393-8744 Fax: 82-2-313-0849



4. Processing times
o Ordinary mail: approximately 4 weeks
o DHL : approximately 2 weeks

5. Processing Fees : No fees

Consulate General of Republic Korea
Address: G.P.O
Box 1601, Sydney
NSW 2001

Email: [email protected]
Fax: 02-9210-0202/0206
Tel: 02-9210-0200

[Ut videam]

Okay, that information tells HOW TO APPLY FOR A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK. It says absolutely nothing about a Korean National Police background check being required for E-2 applicants. What in the world gave you the idea that this information applied to you?

To be honest, I think you stepped on your crank by even mentioning this to them. It clearly doesn't apply to E-2 applicants, and you probably bought yourself (and possibly others) a lot of extra hassle by putting the thought into their mind: "Oh yes, this foreigner lived in Korea for several years, we'd better make him get a Korean background check too!"

But the fact remains that they don't need it. The regulations clearly state that the background check that's required is from the applicant's home country. And as demonstrated in my previous post, the consulate can access your Korean criminal record through Immigration's computer system. I suggest that you gently and respectfully remind them of this fact.

[Kimchi Cha Cha]

[loose_ends]

Can someone confirm this for me please.

I have an E-2. My contract finishes at the end of April.

I want to renew when it finishes.

I was told by immig. that if I renew before March 15, I could by-pass all the new regulations.

Can someone confirm this with any information they have or know.

Thanks a bunch.

[brandon adams]

If the new administration doesn't relax the present nonsensical E-2 rules, CRC, health + drug tests, it can only mean one thing, namely, being serious about enhancing English skills among Koreans is just windowdressing!
Why? The 'new' nonsensical E-2 regs are driving long-term seasoned teachers out of Korea replacing them with neophytes who have no idea about teaching as well as about the specific learning needs of Korean students. We who have been here a long time, have developed teaching skills unique to the needs of Korean students.
I simply cannot comprehend why teachers who have been teaching here for years are suddenly suspected of being potential criminals. Isn't the fact that they have been living and teaching in Korea for years without offending sufficient proof of their integrity and good moral character?
A clean CRC is no guarantee of future non-criminality. That's a fact, as was the case with Mr. Neil who had had no criminal record prior to his offending in Thailand, not in Korea!
Drug test? It's a joke. If someone is a drug user, he/she will simply stop taking drugs prior to the test, pass it, and continue to reabuse. The only way to ensure non-drug use is by conducting the test randomly and unannounced.

You see how flawed this whole "vetting" premise is???

[Kwangjuchicken]

[KoreanAmbition]

Is there any truth to the fact that we need to get our original university degrees notarized by our government or something along these lines?

I have no issues with the CRC, or drug test, or any other tests I have to do.

My only issue is properly getting my degree signed off on or whatever I have to do.

Any concrete clarification on this point would be appreciated.

Thanks.