Korean Job Discussion Forums

acornrevolution · Joined: 16 Jul 2007 Location: Pusan, SK

So I had my CRC, new contract, etc. submitted to immigration today, and it got rejected because I had a "failure to appear" charge on there. The charge wasn't taken off even though I eventually (the next available date) appeared. So they asked why, and I told them it was a petit theft from three years ago where the charges got dismissed.

I have to prove this is what happened, which means more work and paperwork just to prove that I got my charges dropped (and if they werent dropped they would have appeared on the CRC). And supposedly, even if I can prove it, it may be enough that just because I was once arrested (even though charges were dropped and i was pretty much found not guilty) i could have my new visa rejected. Just the fact that there is a record, and it is a misdemeanor, even though it didn't show up on my CRC!!!

I'm pretty pissed. I don't know if this post is a question or a heads up.

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

This is a huge problem for innocent teachers. We had a conversation about this when the CBCs started to be required and no one knew what Korea would bar you for. Arrests are a huge problem because in the USA, we are innocent until proven guilty. Korea doesn't understand that. I stated a simple case that could bar someone easily:

A man is at church when a liquor store is robbed with a gun. The man is driving home from church and is arrested for armed robbery. Later, the charges are dropped due to eye witnesses and this alibi. But he has an arrest for armed robbery. Think Korea would understand this?

Now add to the equation all the small things that people get arrested for. Even if many plea bargain it down and did do something wrong, many were always 100% innocent.

Using legal documents of one country requires knowledge of that country's laws. Korean immigration officials don't even understand their own laws and countless calls to different officers will result in different answers. Korean immigration STILL tells people to get a CBC and/or fingerprints for a CBC from the US embassy despite the US embassy telling immigration, and all American citizens in Korea, that they don't do CBCs or prints.

Sparkling like the light of mother Mary.

Whistleblower · Joined: 03 Feb 2007

If you are caught speeding, would this bar you from an E2 visa for Korea? I would hasten to answer yes.

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

losing_touch · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Location: Ulsan - I think!

This is pretty ridiculous. Many people have a black mark or two on their backgrounds. Mine isn't flawless itself. However, the state that I have resided in for the last 5 years is. Thus, I got my CBC there. It seemed logical to do so since it was my most recent residence in the states. The problem with CBCs in the states is that things cannot be taken off in some places. Regardless of what happened, it can still appear. Frankly, this is insanity. The Brits have it much better with regards to this. A petty theft charge when you are 18 should not bar you from employment a decade later.

acornrevolution · Joined: 16 Jul 2007 Location: Pusan, SK

I wish I got my CRC in a different state, the one i lived in right before I came to Korea, but I was worried about it not being accepted! Ha!

I will have the necessary documents (my case file) mailed to me express and hopefully Immigration will understand and give me my new visa.

If not, Taiwan, hello?

rhinocharge64 · Joined: 20 Sep 2006

Losing touch, sorry mate, but wrong. You got a record it stays with you forever. If it ws minor then in the past for 10 yrs, now a life time. It's a police state!!! Laughing

matthews_world · Joined: 15 Feb 2003

Let's get this right.

You submitted a CRC that wasn't clear?!?

acornrevolution · Joined: 16 Jul 2007 Location: Pusan, SK

matthews_world · Joined: 15 Feb 2003

Well there you go.

Contact immigration. Maybe they can advise you further on the procedure you need to follow.

Perhaps other board members can give some insight on what to do next.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:25 pm Post subject:

What am I missing here?

Of course you CRC was not accepted - you were charged with 'Failure to Appear'. It doesn't matter that the charges relating to the original offence were dropped.

Immigration officers, police and the courts don't like people who don't show up when they're supposed to (and they take it seriously, whether you do or not). Rolling Eyes

citizen erased · Joined: 06 Apr 2008

a failure to appear means a person shouldnt be able to teach here?

id say that easily qualifies as drastic.

Beej · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Location: Eungam Loop

jurassic82 · Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Location: Somewhere!!!!

acornrevolution · Joined: 16 Jul 2007 Location: Pusan, SK

I went to immigration yesterday, armed with my "Certificate of Disposition" showing my original charge and the result (Nolle Prossed - which means dropped or not pursued) and an arrest report showing that my failure to appear was related to that charge. All it said was FTA Petit Theft. Also, I had my Korean manager come to explain all this. Everything happened fast and it was over in like 3 mins. I can stay!! I can stay!!

I got my visa that day!