Korean Job Discussion Forums

hagwonnewbie · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Asia

I have quit my job, and I expect to transfer with a letter of release, but more and more people tell me I can only transfer from a private academy to a public school within the first 9 months of my visa period.

Is this the truth? Is there any way around this?

afsjesse · Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Location: Kickin' it in 'Kato town.

thats absurd. I'm doing the same thing, leaving one month early to start an epik job. Once you got the LOR your employer will cancel your visa. That's it, you are now ready to apply for a new one.

matthews_world · Joined: 15 Feb 2003

afsjesse · Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Location: Kickin' it in 'Kato town.

because i want a better job with better benefits and not a scumbag hagwon that is not giving me my severance or pension. To stay would be absurd.

hagwonnewbie · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Asia

So I guess I can aplly for a new visa once my visa is cancelled, but I can't transfer my existing visa to a new job, unless it is a public school. This is shite!

Ut videam · Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Location: Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do

Generally, Immi will only permit a change of workplace after you've been at your first job for nine months.

They do tend to relax this requirement in the case of transfers to public schools, however. So it's still worth looking into.

broken76 · Joined: 27 Jan 2008

From what I've seen GEPIK and SMOE can both request Visas even if the teacher has not taught the 9 months in Korea. For hagwon to hagwon transfers a minimum of 9 months with a single E-2 is needed to avoid the trip back home for the Visa interview. You still need to leave the country but an old fashioned Visa run will do it.

hagwonnewbie · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Asia

This is my second job. I already completed a one year contract and this is my second visa. So the rule doesn't aplly to me?

broken76 · Joined: 27 Jan 2008

As long as the school releases you from the Visa you should be able to get a new Visa without any problems. You may need to leave the country to actually get the Visa stamp in your passport but you'll be able to go to any Korean consulate to do so.

hagwonnewbie · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Asia

So what's the timeline like? Can I get a new visa issuance number within a couple of weeks? How long does it take to cancel the visa? Is it instant? If I go to the immigration office and do it myself, will it go any faster?