Korean Job Discussion Forums

[CreativeRehash]

I'm an American high school student planning to go to Seoul to learn Korean this summer. After cruising through a lot of forum threads I have a few questions about both the legality and feasibility of both studying and working while in Korea at the same time.

I do have a great deal of prior experience tutoring Korean students in America (mostly exchange students and sons and daughters of guest professors). Would working as a private tutor or in a hagwon in Korea while under a student visa be even remotely legal, or safe for that matter? The last thing I'd want is to have happen to me is to get fined or have my visa revoked for trying to maintain a small source of income in Seoul. I want to make sure I know what my options are in Seoul if I need an income but am limited by a student visa. Any thoughts?

[winterwawa]

I think it is not legal. I know two people who have been busted and deported for working on a student VISA. One was tutoring and the other was working in a bar. HOWEVER, they were both Chinese, so maybe it is different for an American.

[CreativeRehash]

[alibuch]

Since you will only be a high school graduate I have no idea. I know college grads can get E2 visas and attend language schools and regular university here. I'm in the process of applying for some Master's programs here and I was told I can either get my student visa and just study or I can get an E2 visa, have a job teaching English, and go to uni.

However, I don't anticipate finding a teaching job that will coincide with a master's programs schedule.

[PeteJB]

If your studying for only a certificate/university points I don't think you can work. But if your studying to a degree level (as in actually earning a degree) you can work part-time. Which is absolutely stupid, because degree level Korean is truely full time university where if you had the time to work, you'd be so tired you'd end up fading away. My guess is though, degree earning students would work during the holiday periods. Yet the standard certificate Korean is only four hours per day at most which leaves ample time for part-time jobs.

[CreativeRehash]

[Giant_midget]

If you are just attending Korean Language classes, you only get a D-4 visa which is even less flexible than the normal student D-2 visa.

So working legally is not an option.

Check out the sticky on teaching privates:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=75788

Another idea, there are quite a few scholarships through the Ministry of Education for people to learn Korean, maybe you should check that out.

[CreativeRehash]

[alibuch]

I've browsed and have found things.

Also, not to be a downer, with so many English teachers here with college degrees, it might be harder for you to get a tutoring job anyway. Many people tutor without getting caught, however, it's still a risk to take.

[Toon Army]

if you`re a gyopo you can get the F-4 visa and teach privates

[Giant_midget]

http://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/english/index.jsp

[CreativeRehash]

[Bryan]

[NilesQ]

You don't need to be a university graduate to attend one of the intensive Korean language courses offered by most major schools in Seoul. I studied korean at SNU and taught private classes to support myself and pay tuition. I made about 2 million a month and went to school 4 hrs every morning. It gets more difficult as you progress to keep it up.

The choice is yours. Just be prepared to suffer the concequences if you get caught. The chances of getting caught are fairly slim if you are discreet. The people who get caught usually pissd off a woman or worked in a school with no visa. If you get the classes on your own and don't talk too much about it to jealous hagwan slaves, you should be fine. You hear some haters on Daves saying how teaching privates is tantamount to child rape and murder, but they work split shifts at YBM! Be careful, but be real. If you get caught there will be punishment. If you are willing to take the risk, there is a much better experience in it for you.

I did both. I was a hagwan slave for a year then started doing my own thing and studying Korean. Life is much better doing privates and learning the local lingo and ways. You see a much different Korea than the people who show up the day before their contract starts and leave the day after it finishes, with a trip to Thailand squeezed in there somewhere.

[ernie]

you ^ make it sound like foreigners have the option to stay in korea (legally) after their visa expires!