Korean Job Discussion Forums

john110375 · Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Location: seoul

Hello , I will be changing to an F-5 in about 6 months and I was wondering about the Background check?? I'm not a teacher so do I need to order one from the States or will the Korean check be enough?? Do they really require the Korean speaking test?? Thanks for your time.. Very Happy

Paddycakes · Joined: 05 May 2003 Location: Seoul

Good question...

I'd also like to know what the rules are for those of us in Kimchie land who are not in the ESL industry.

I suspect though the rules aren't any different.

nebraska1 · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:52 am Post subject:

Imbroglio · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:42 pm Post subject:

No test, no background checks. At least that was my experience.

john110375 · Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Location: seoul

Thanks for the replies so far any more?? Very Happy

Those of you that did have their countries background check required did you get it or did Immigration do it for you?? Smile

saw6436 · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Daejeon, ROK

I just had to take an oral korean proficiency test (about 10 minutes on the phone). Took immi 4 months to process the whole thing and now its done. FYI the langualge proficiency is NOT a requirement but the officer felt it would show I "understood" Korean culture (which is a requirement). No background check or other nonsense.

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

john110375 · Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Location: seoul

I guess I should try to learn the basics before I apply in 6 months. Confused

I can read Korean but I have no idea what I'm reading !! Laughing

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

So what are the advantages of going to an F5? Any extra perks?

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

Dysupes · Joined: 24 May 2005

I wish you good luck with getting yours. People on this board have said it's either been a pain in the ass or a breeze and with 3 months + into the application for me, I can attest to the pain in the ass bit. Immi officers really only approve things based on whether they've had a nice enough shit that day so even if you had everything in order, everything they required was perfect and you were a wonderfully adequate person in all respects it all boils down to the ajosshi and whether he got to go to the room salon last night. Sad but very very true. Evil or Very Mad

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

Each Immigration office follows their own rules. I received my F5 in March and only had to wait 2 of the 3 months they told me to expect. My wife was with me when I applied, and helped with all of the forms. Everything was written in Korean, mostly by my wife, and immigration appreciated the fact that they didn't have to deal with some foreigner who couldn't or wouldn't try to make their job as easy as possible. I spoke Korean (albeit limited to say the least) when asked a direct question from the immigration officer, and I tried my best to be polite and courteous.

There was no language speaking proficiency needed, immigration did all of the background checking at their time and expense, and as Captain Corea said it was relatively painless. I was a little apprehensive during the process, thinking they were going to make claims of some kind, but they ended up just being my worry rather than what really happened. The visa was delivered to my home by Postal Service and my wife was actually able to go down and pick it up for me rather than having to sign for it myself.

I was on the F2-1 for just over two years before I applied for the F5 and went through one renewal of the F2-1 before even thinking about moving up to the F5-9. (I understand that the "-9" part" is supposed to mean being married to a Korean or nation or origin or whatever, I was told one thing and others were told different things, so no one really knows for sure.)

I am thankful to be a permanent resident of Korea and will stay here indefinitely unless something happens to threaten the safety of my family and peace across the Korean peninsula. My life and liberties as a resident of this country are nice in terms of having a job and being gainfully employed which can be difficult as an American citizen when affirmative action is so prevalent in the USA and minorities are given choice jobs before someone with training and experience.

I am not a racist or a person who has any feelings towards the freedoms and rights of people to have their own beliefs and lifestyle preferences, but I just found that the Korean way of life suited my life as it gives me many more advantages than I ever would have in the USA.

Sorry for the rant about the whole process, but I just want people to understand my own reason for pursuing and obtaining my permanent residency in Korea.

john110375 · Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Location: seoul

I'm less worried now that I've heard all of your stories!! Thanks for all the info.. Very Happy

I mainly want to change so that I don't have to renew it and with an F-5 you don't need to buy the re-entry permit. I'm wondering how they check us out in the USA . They don't have my social security number!? Confused

john110375 · Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Location: seoul

Bump

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

They actually don't need your Social Security number, they have your Passport and they can check through US Immigration for everything they are looking for. As I said, the check is done by them at their expense and on their time, so not to worry. Have everything in place when you go in and it should be no concern.