Korean Job Discussion Forums

Bafsy · Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Location: Sanbon

This is just a summary of what I had to do, in case anyone finds any of it useful while they go through the process, especially with all the confusion.

To start, I'm a first time E2 applicant residing in Ontario, Canada.

1. Go to local Police station, request Criminal Background Check (CBC) with Vulnerable Sector (VS) search. Paid $25, would be told it would be ready in 3 weeks.

2. Requested three sealed copies of university (Laurier) transcripts, $5 a piece, would receive in 3-5 business days.

3. Once CBC with VS received, went to notary to have notarized copy of degree made and notarized copy of CBC. I was told I had to get the actual CBC notarized, but the notary wouldn't do it. They made a copy and gave me a letter with a seal on it saying it was a true representation.

4. Sent degree, notarized copy of degree, CBC, notarized copy of CBC, copy of passport information page, one sealed transcript, $4.40 via Express Post with return Express Postage paid to Korean Consulate for apostille. Was returned to me in 2 business days.

5. Sent notarized copy of degree, CBC and notarized copy, sealed transcript, 5 passport sized photos, my resume, my signed contract, the information page of my passport, my health statement to my employer in Korea. I received my visa issuance # within 5 business days.

6. Filled out Visa application form, 1 passport sized photo, 1 sealed transcript, my original passport, my Visa issuance #, and $55. Dropped off a Korean consulate in Toronto. Had interview scheduled for one week later.

7. Interview require me to state my name and age. Three questions were asked: what does a Communications major study, why did I want to go to Korea, and will my mother miss me. Visa ready for pickup in one business day.

So that's it folks.... altogether, the process (from the time I requested the CBC) to yesterday when my Visa was issued, took about 5 weeks.

I hope this helps those going through the process for the first time. Any questions, feel free to ask me!

Cheers.

hari seldon · Joined: 05 Dec 2004 Location: Incheon

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

Now buy some KY Jelly before you get here.

It'll make your boss so much easier to work for.

crusher_of_heads · Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 9:42 am Post subject:

KoreanAmbition · Joined: 03 Feb 2008

duplicate

KoreanAmbition · Joined: 03 Feb 2008

Bafsy,

That's an awesome post. Thanks so much for sharing. I will have to go through the same process soon and I can tell you that you really assisted me with your information.

As coincidence has it I was in Communication Studies at Laurier for about half a semester back in the day while I was changing majors. Smile

Thanks for your help.
Cheers

hari seldon · Joined: 05 Dec 2004 Location: Incheon

I-am-me · Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Location: Hermit Kingdom

Congrats on going through all that crap to work in korea. Funny how Canada is begging for workers and Canadians will jump through hoops to get a teaching job in korea where more than likely they will be screwed over. Are there no jobs in Canada?

idonojacs · Joined: 07 Jun 2007

Thanks for sharing your account.

I do have some questions, Bafsy.

How far do you live from the Korean Consulate? I imagine it would take significantly longer for someone far from a consulate.

What about the drug and alcohol test, and medical exam? Is the Kimmi plan to have new E-2s do this in Korea?

You said it took you 5 weeks from start to visa issuance. How much more to get your ticket, board the plane and actually start work? did you wait till after you got your visa to buy your plane ticket?

How many hours did you have to spend doing all this? Any idea how far you had to drive, all told?

A general question to whomever: I wonder if E-2 re-signers after March 15 will have to go home to do all this? If so, will it take them 5 weeks? That would be hard to do.

Zutronius · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Location: Suncheon

I'll be doing the same thing next week. Thanks for the info.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 10:52 am Post subject:

DrTommyTom · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Location: Suwon, South Korea

Hey Im going through the process for the first time as well. Just happened to be a laurier grad as well (2007 october graduation). I paid like 8 for the 1st copy of my transcript then 5 for the next two. You must know somebody in the Registrar office.

Paid 80 bucks for the criminal background search and the VSS. Then 80 for notarization of the degree and the CBCs. Then I sent it to get verified with the consulate in Toronto...Forgot to send the return envelope and had to send a separate envelope with just a return envelope in it. Apparently, the consulate isn't cool with paying for a return envelope themselves.

Anyways, those questions you were asked sound easy enough but I am just wondering if they're the same for everybody. Plus, when do you call for an interview to be done? Once you get your visa issuance #?

I learned from my accounting friend that it is possible to write off all these expenses from the visa process as a business expense. So hold onto to your receipts...