Korean Job Discussion Forums

Darkness · Joined: 12 Oct 2006

So with these new rules will the people who do runners get denied if they try to apply for another visa down the road?

I'm wondering if these new rules will stop people from doing runners, or they are just trying to make sure no more pedophiles enter the country?

Mi Yum mi · Joined: 28 Jan 2008

If somebody does a runner thay'll have to go through all this BS again. It'll just force teacher to go to other countries. If someone had a bad experience before they'd try again. Now with all the hoops you have to jump through it'll be easier to fly to another country and get5 a visa instead of going back home and doing this garbage all over again.

A friend of mine (been in Korea 9 years) just said screw it and went to Taiwan. If they can force lifers out of the country, then they'll have no problem forcing short term teachers elsewhere.

Darkness · Joined: 12 Oct 2006

I never even thought about the people already there. They are changing the rules already though depending where you are. The Vancouver consulate has already dropped the VSS of the criminal background check.

9 years, and they're leaving...wow

wilkinson.107 · Joined: 07 Nov 2007

These new e-2 regulations are ridiculous. I don't really have any insight, just further commentary on these regulations. I am going over to Korea for the first time, and started applying for my visa December 2, 2007, and thus was forced to follow the new regulations.

They seem simple enough at first, and I understand and appreciate their importance, but I could write a long novel about all the messes I've run into. 1) They just came up with the medical form to fill out about a month ago, and want you to answer it truthfully, but if you do and they don't like your honesty, they'll deny you a visa. 2) to get your criminal history report apostilled you have to get the SHERIFF to sign it. And I don't know about other places, but here in the US people act like meeting with the Sheriff to have him sign your report is like meeting with the President. 3) the visa interview process is stupid. I've had to call a consulate to prepare an interview by webcam and have had nothing but trouble by setting up an appointment.

and so on...

Moral of the story, before they implement new laws like this, they should have a cohesive idea of what they are going to require, when they are going to require it, and so on. I talk to different people and get different answers all the time. I can understand why people are leaving and not putting up with these ridiculous requirements--if I had known that I would have had to do all this work, and that I would still be waiting for my visa that I started preparing for in late December, there is no way I would decided to go to Korea.

It stinks because now if I don't enjoy my experience over there, it will feel as though I spent all that time and money shipping things to Korea and Consulates for nothing.

P.S. Does anyone know if you have to go through this process again to renew your visa and stay on another year in Korea?

livinseoul · Joined: 28 Nov 2007

FAO: Darkness

What does this mean:

The Vancouver consulate has already dropped the VSS of the criminal background check.

Darkness · Joined: 12 Oct 2006

FAO??

The Vancouver consulate no longer requires the Vulnerable Sector Search for the visa, this was the part that was taking 8 weeks. They only need a criminal background check now.

livinseoul · Joined: 28 Nov 2007

Thanks

FAO = For the Attention Of

Atavistic · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 5:48 pm Post subject:

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

I tend to believe IMHO that people inclined to run will run just as they did before the regulations. It will not make it any easier or harder for people running since they will still have to follow the same rules for re-entering the country under the guidelines of the new regulations. Unfortunately, people looking for a way around the rules will work hard until they find a new way to encroach on what is in place. It makes good sense to update and improve the requirements for teaching in Korea, but as far as the runners are concerned I truly believe it will be status quo for the most part.

FistFace · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 6:33 pm Post subject:

Immigration officials will detain you at the airport, pull down your pants, and make you turn your head and cough.

It's a requirement of all runners now.

wilkinson.107 · Joined: 07 Nov 2007

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

Very insightful post, Atavistic- I found myself nodding along with every word.

And to Wilkinson.107: unfortunately she is right. Korea is not a rule based society and the Western concepts of justice and consistency are new ones. They're making progress, but the rules are still more about relationships and hierarchy than anything else.
But your story is interesting- this is the first I've read about anyone going through the new process. Thank you for posting your story and hope you keep us updated.