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losing_touch
Joined: 26 Jun 2008
Location: Ulsan - I think!
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 Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:05 pm Post subject: E-2 Visa Concerns |
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Well, let me start by saying hello. This is my first post on this forum, so I thought an introduction would be in order. I am a recent graduate from a university in America. I also have a TESOL certificate. I am married to a Thai national, and we are currently in Bangkok. There are loads of jobs here, but the pay is peanuts. So, I am thinking of taking my wife to Korea to put away some money and pay off things in the states (dependent visa is an entirely different issue) . This is where the fun begins!
I waited for the original degree to come! Check! It will be here tonight when my family arrives for a visit.
The damn state I lived in (Maryland) requires fingerprints to be taken for the background check. I had two sets taken because we all know the Thai police can be a little incompetent with regards to such matters. The damn guy didn't even know how to write his name in English! So, that has been sent off to the authorities in Maryland. I understand that I will need to send it off to be certified or whatever once that comes back.
Because this is taking forever and then some, is a check from another state feasible? There are states where I could simply order my background check online to expedite the process. I have read about the process by which one can print their Texas record out and then take it to the embassy in Korea and sign a document swearing that it is accurate. Could I do this if I have never lived in Texas? Furthermore, could I get the embassy here in Bangkok to do the same thing (swear and notarize)? Would this satisfy the requirement?
Next, I am aware of the requirement to have an interview in my home country. However, I am being advised that this is not needed. The Korean embassy here in Bangkok is saying that they will not do any sort of interview and they know nothing of it. They say the school can still arrange for the number to be issued. The people I have been in touch with in Korea are telling me that I can avoid going back to the states if I send them my degree. They then verify the degree which should take about 15 days. They claim this will allow them get me a visa without going to the states. They have this information directly from immigration in Korea. Does this sound correct?
Cheers all! |
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Colorado
Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Location: Public School with too much time on my hands.
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| Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:39 pm Post subject: Re: E-2 Visa Concerns |
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| losing_touch wrote: |
Well, let me start by saying hello. This is my first post on this forum, so I thought an introduction would be in order. I am a recent graduate from a university in America. I also have a TESOL certificate. I am married to a Thai national, and we are currently in Bangkok. There are loads of jobs here, but the pay is peanuts. So, I am thinking of taking my wife to Korea to put away some money and pay off things in the states (dependent visa is an entirely different issue) . This is where the fun begins!
I waited for the original degree to come! Check! It will be here tonight when my family arrives for a visit.
The damn state I lived in (Maryland) requires fingerprints to be taken for the background check. I had two sets taken because we all know the Thai police can be a little incompetent with regards to such matters. The damn guy didn't even know how to write his name in English! So, that has been sent off to the authorities in Maryland. I understand that I will need to send it off to be certified or whatever once that comes back.
Because this is taking forever and then some, is a check from another state feasible? There are states where I could simply order my background check online to expedite the process. I have read about the process by which one can print their Texas record out and then take it to the embassy in Korea and sign a document swearing that it is accurate. Could I do this if I have never lived in Texas? Furthermore, could I get the embassy here in Bangkok to do the same thing (swear and notarize)? Would this satisfy the requirement?
Next, I am aware of the requirement to have an interview in my home country. However, I am being advised that this is not needed. The Korean embassy here in Bangkok is saying that they will not do any sort of interview and they know nothing of it. They say the school can still arrange for the number to be issued. The people I have been in touch with in Korea are telling me that I can avoid going back to the states if I send them my degree. They then verify the degree which should take about 15 days. They claim this will allow them get me a visa without going to the states. They have this information directly from immigration in Korea. Does this sound correct?
Cheers all! |
I was in your exact situation three years ago, and looking at teaching in Korea. But changes to the E2 visa requirements make it more difficult now. The bad news:
You cannot do an official online CRC and get the affidavit from the Embassy because that option is for E2 visa holders who already living in Korea and who are renewing their visa. You must get the CRC from your state or from the FBI and get it apostiled. The good news is that it is still possible to do that from Thailand. It's just going to take longer.
I don't know who you are in touch with in Korea or where you are getting your information, but it should be possible for a recruiter to verify your degree if you want to send it to them. Yes, they can arrange for a visa issuance number. So yeah, that does sound correct. At least that's how it worked for me three years ago.
Good luck to you. |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Due to the new regulations, you will have to get your visa from your home country's appropriate Korean consulate and do the (worthless) in-person interview. |
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losing_touch
Joined: 26 Jun 2008
Location: Ulsan - I think!
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| Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:21 pm Post subject: |
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| Bibbitybop wrote: |
| Due to the new regulations, you will have to get your visa from your home country's appropriate Korean consulate and do the (worthless) in-person interview. |
As I mentioned, it seems that this is avoidable at this point. The school I am contemplating has verified this information with immigration. I know what the new rules say. This information is being confirmed today. The embassy in Bangkok has also stated that it should not be a problem. |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:24 pm Post subject: |
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| losing_touch wrote: |
| Bibbitybop wrote: |
| Due to the new regulations, you will have to get your visa from your home country's appropriate Korean consulate and do the (worthless) in-person interview. |
As I mentioned, it seems that this is avoidable at this point. The school I am contemplating has verified this information with immigration. I know what the new rules say. This information is being confirmed today. The embassy in Bangkok has also stated that it should not be a problem. |
Good luck, but the Korean Embassies are notorious for lack of communication and information. The big boss, Korean immigration in Korea, clearly states that new E-2 visas require an interview in the home country UNLESS an exception is given. This exception goes to previous E-2 holders who have no violations on their record. |
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ytuque
Joined: 29 Jan 2008
Location: I drink therefore I am!
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 1:02 am Post subject: Re: E-2 Visa Concerns |
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| losing_touch wrote: |
Next, I am aware of the requirement to have an interview in my home country. However, I am being advised that this is not needed. The Korean embassy here in Bangkok is saying that they will not do any sort of interview and they know nothing of it. They say the school can still arrange for the number to be issued. The people I have been in touch with in Korea are telling me that I can avoid going back to the states if I send them my degree. They then verify the degree which should take about 15 days. They claim this will allow them get me a visa without going to the states. They have this information directly from immigration in Korea. Does this sound correct?
Cheers all! |
Your Korean contacts are correct! You do not have to return to your home country (USA) for the interview and work visa if you have your degrees verified. I have a document in English from the Korean gov't which spells this out. If you want a copy, pm me with your email address.
BTW, it took less than 15 days to get this done. |
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losing_touch
Joined: 26 Jun 2008
Location: Ulsan - I think!
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 1:24 am Post subject: Re: E-2 Visa Concerns |
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| ytuque wrote: |
Your Korean contacts are correct! You do not have to return to your home country (USA) for the interview and work visa if you have your degrees verified. I have a document in English from the Korean gov't which spells this out. If you want a copy, pm me with your email address.
BTW, it took less than 15 days to get this done. |
I would be more than happy to PM you to get a copy of that document, but I am not allowed. I guess I need the 25 posts that are required. Could you PM me? I will respond with my email. Thanks for the reassurance by the way. |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 2:20 am Post subject: Re: E-2 Visa Concerns |
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| ytuque wrote: |
| losing_touch wrote: |
Next, I am aware of the requirement to have an interview in my home country. However, I am being advised that this is not needed. The Korean embassy here in Bangkok is saying that they will not do any sort of interview and they know nothing of it. They say the school can still arrange for the number to be issued. The people I have been in touch with in Korea are telling me that I can avoid going back to the states if I send them my degree. They then verify the degree which should take about 15 days. They claim this will allow them get me a visa without going to the states. They have this information directly from immigration in Korea. Does this sound correct?
Cheers all! |
Your Korean contacts are correct! You do not have to return to your home country (USA) for the interview and work visa if you have your degrees verified. I have a document in English from the Korean gov't which spells this out. If you want a copy, pm me with your email address.
BTW, it took less than 15 days to get this done. |
That's huge news for new teachers, especially those who are already traveling or teaching outside of their home country. Did you do this after this year's visa changes?
This is on immigration's website about the E-2 process
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By rule, must apply from the Korean consulate that is located in the applicant�s country.
※ When applying from a third country is permitted:
- Those that have worked in Korea as a Professor (E-1), Foreign language instructor (E-2), or Researcher (E-3), and have no record of law breaking
-�Those whose education level has been verified by domestic verification agency (�Korean Council for University Education�) that was created based on Law on Korean University Education Association
▶By rule, must go through an interview at the consulate. (However, those that applied for visa issuance from a third country may skip this portion as situation warrants)
- According to the standard interview manual, conduct a face-to-face interview. However, if circumstances were such that making a visit is not possible or plausible, then it may be conducted over video conference.
- If, after the interview, the applicant is deemed unfit to work as an instructor, visa will not be issued regardless of the issuance of visa issuance certificate. |
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spliff
Joined: 19 Jan 2004
Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 2:23 am Post subject: |
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| What's a "an official online CRC"? |
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losing_touch
Joined: 26 Jun 2008
Location: Ulsan - I think!
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 2:39 am Post subject: |
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| spliff wrote: |
| What's a "an official online CRC"? |
It is a background check that is obtained from the government via an online portal. |
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sojourner1
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Location: Where meggi swim and 2 wheeled tractors go sput put chug alugg pug pug
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 2:39 am Post subject: |
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I understand that if going for an EPIK position, a consulate interview nor visa confirmation number is required, but a state highway patrol or police check with apostille is required. This is how it worked for me a month ago.
I understand it's more difficult to get a hagwon visa now days, but simply means you have to jump through more hoops such as having a consulate interview. Good luck. |
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spliff
Joined: 19 Jan 2004
Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 2:39 am Post subject: |
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| What the FBI? |
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losing_touch
Joined: 26 Jun 2008
Location: Ulsan - I think!
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 2:45 am Post subject: Re: E-2 Visa Concerns |
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| Bibbitybop wrote: |
That's huge news for new teachers, especially those who are already traveling or teaching outside of their home country. Did you do this after this year's visa changes? |
My information has come as recently as two weeks ago. I am not sure when this poster went through the process, but it seems that it is very possible. I agree that this is big news. I will post about how the process goes as I go through it. |
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losing_touch
Joined: 26 Jun 2008
Location: Ulsan - I think!
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 2:48 am Post subject: |
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| spliff wrote: |
| What the FBI? |
It is an antiquated establishment that cannot bother with ensuring there is a timely process for getting a background check in the United States. The amount of time required for the FBI check is quite ridiculous. |
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spliff
Joined: 19 Jan 2004
Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 2:52 am Post subject: |
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Got a link for this "an official online CRC"? Thank you!  |
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