Korean Job Discussion Forums

[keela]

I have non-residency for tax purposes.

I'm back in Canada, have fufilled my province's time requirement for residency, and want to have a medical. I need it for both a checkup and to fulfill Korea's latest twist on teaching requirements.

Will the medical affect my non-residency status?

I'm guessing 'yes' because, if I'm not paying taxes, how can I take advantage of tax-supported Canadian medical services?

[Bafsy]

Umm yes. You are no longer covered under the national health plan unless you've been back for six months, at which point it kicks back in. But if you're planning on leaving again, that may affect it too.... I'm not sure on that point.

[mindmetoo]

[icicle]

The other thing to remember is that the health check must be done in Korea after you arrive. The self check before you arrive is just completion by you of a form.

Icicle

[teachergirltoo]

When I was visiting there recently I went into one of the walk-in clinics and had a medical check done. They charged me $100 cash. Very reasonable I thought.

[keela]

'Not sure if I'm coming back. Still recuperating after the last mind-boggling year! I'll go ahead with the medical and take it from there.

Appreciate the comments.

[some waygug-in]

I'm not sure as I've never tried this myself, but this is my best guess:

I think if you pay cash to have the medical done...there should be no problem.

But if you try to do it through medicare, then you may end up with some problems.

As I said, I am not certain about this, but the above seems reasonable to me.

Hope this helps.

[KoreanAmbition]

keela,

What time requirement for residency are you referring to?

Everything I have read about non-residency is that there are no hard-and-fast rules regarding most aspects of it. I was under the impression that there are no time boundaries involving the issue.

Also, since you have moved into non-resident status, can you tell me what you have done about your RRSP's and credit cards? Did you get rid of them?

I think getting rid of everything else is fine for me, (except for passport).

I can even get rid of my driver's license and just go with an international driver's license.

But I owe bank loans so that is why I need to keep bank accounts. I want to keep RRSP's for obvious reasons. If I have to I will get rid of credit cards and get them in Korea.

Can you give me some advice please? I'm Canadian from Ontario and going to Korea in a couple months. I will stay in Korea for between 1-3 years and then move on to China for another few years.

Thanks in advance

[TheChickenLover]

I had to give up my OHIP coverage and if you don't, you'll be taxed as a resident. Medical coverage is a HUGE issue, since you can leave, experience health problems that could cost the states hundreds of thousands of dollars when you return.

They won't let you get that coverage for free.

CUT your OHIP or be prepared to get assraped from Revenue Canada.

Chicken

[keela]

Koreanambition,

Sorry for the late reply....

Before going to Korea 4 years ago, I had turned in my OHIP card, had both a loan and credit card debt, RRSPs and a Canadian driver's license.

Last year, before returning, I traded my Cdn. license for a Korean one (Canada and Korea have a reciprocal agreement, meaning we can drive for a limited time in each other's country with our home license - in Canada, I drove on my Korean one for 3 months), then applied for, and was granted, non-residency.

It worked out well.

I didn't want to let my credit card go. Just me. And I miss the Korean license. I was in Daegu and it was very easy to exchange. Plus, for ~$35, it was valid for 10 years...

Good luck with your journey. Let me know if you need more info and I'll try to reply more promptly!

[jay-shi]