Site Search:
 
Speak Korean Now!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

SMOE and tourist to E-2 visa question
Goto page 1, 2  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Job-related Discussion Forum
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
freeridden



Joined: 27 Apr 2008

PostPosted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 12:37 am    Post subject: SMOE and tourist to E-2 visa question Reply with quote

Hello,

I went through a recruiter to sign up to work for SMOE. I was told by someone from SMOE and my recruiter that I could take my contract, letter of notification from SMOE, photo, passport, and visa fee to the Korean Consulate in Shanghai to apply for my visa. As it turns out, this information was dead wrong. The Korean Consulate in Shanghai would not give me a visa. I called my recruiter AND SMOE to work out the problem. They called the Korean Consulate and got the same answer.

Now for the tricky part: both the SMOE rep and my recruiter have said that I can come to Korea (I'm an American living/working in China) on a 30 day tourist visa and then apply for my E-2 visa within Korea.

Is this possible? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
losing_touch



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

PostPosted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 1:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Is this your first E-2?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
jadarite



Joined: 01 Sep 2007
Location: Andong, Yeongyang, Seoul, now Pyeongtaek

PostPosted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 1:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Then you will have to leave again to actually get it. They just want you to work now. It's your choice, but make sure they will pay for everything. Hopefully, you haven't had to so far. I thought a tourist visa was good for 60 or 90 days.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
freeridden



Joined: 27 Apr 2008

PostPosted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 1:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi,

Yes, this is my first time to work in Korea. I've seen tons of posts about 'visa runs' and all that jazz, but I'm not sure what to do in my specific situation. Will I be able to go there on a tourist visa and then sort it out within Korea?

Thanks for any help you can give me!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
losing_touch



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

PostPosted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 1:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Did you have your degree verified in Korea first (send the original). If you do not, you are required to have an interview in your home country.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
freeridden



Joined: 27 Apr 2008

PostPosted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 1:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have already been accepted to work for SMOE. SMOE has all my documents already (transcrits, degree confirmation letter, criminal check). I have signed the contract already. They have sent me two copies of the contract and the 'Notice of Appoitment' letter in the mail.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
losing_touch



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

PostPosted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 1:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My understanding is that KCUE (http://english.kcue.or.kr/) maintains a database of those who have had their degrees verified. The embassy will have access to this database. When you apply for the E-2 visa, the new regulations stipulate that they must check with this database to issue the visa. If it does not pass this check, they won't issue the visa. Then, an interview is required for your home country.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
jadarite



Joined: 01 Sep 2007
Location: Andong, Yeongyang, Seoul, now Pyeongtaek

PostPosted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 1:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Maybe I should have been clearer. They want you to work on your tourist visa until your E-2 visa number is issued, and then they will pay you to do what you did already (go to China or Japan), this time with an E-2 visa number.

If you have to do an interview, then I think your best bet is to go back home and get it sorted there. Then, when you get the visa after the interview, you can go to Korea. Your choice.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
freeridden



Joined: 27 Apr 2008

PostPosted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 1:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, that is the thing. SMOE claims that you do not need this 'visa confirmation number' if you are working for SMOE. So that's why they sent me to Shanghai to apply for the visa, but I was denied because I do not have this number.

If I go back to the States, then I shouldn't need the confirmation number, right? At least this is what SMOE is saying (because they are a public school).
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
losing_touch



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

PostPosted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 1:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

freeridden wrote:
If I go back to the States, then I shouldn't need the confirmation number, right? At least this is what SMOE is saying (because they are a public school).


That is my understanding.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
freeridden



Joined: 27 Apr 2008

PostPosted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 1:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

So...what is the actual deal with going to Korean on a tourist visa and then applying for the E-2 visa once I get there? My job doesn't start until the 25th.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
losing_touch



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

PostPosted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 1:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

freeridden wrote:
So...what is the actual deal with going to Korean on a tourist visa and then applying for the E-2 visa once I get there? My job doesn't start until the 25th.


Well, working on a tourist visa is illegal. You will need to leave the country to get the visa. They will need to verify your degree. It took 3-4 days for them to verify mine. Every embassy is different. All of this is relatively new for the E-2. Who knows what they will say in Japan. I have confirmation from the embassy in Bangkok that it is fine, but I am not with SMOE. I don't know if you will find a for sure answer on this one.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
freeridden



Joined: 27 Apr 2008

PostPosted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah, I know I cannot work on a tourist visa. Anybody else out there that has worked for the public school system that has any advice?

I also checked out the following website about going to Japan to get a visa. Why are other people saying that the Japan E-2 visa jump is not an option anymore? http://www.efl-law.com/coming.php
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
jadarite



Joined: 01 Sep 2007
Location: Andong, Yeongyang, Seoul, now Pyeongtaek

PostPosted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

That site shows Japan is an option.

"Once you have entered Korea on a tourist visa, the school will process your paperwork to get you an E-2 teaching visa as soon as possible. Once Korean immigration has issued the school your visa confirmation letter, the school will pay for a round trip ticket for you to Fukuoka, Japan (http://www.city.fukuoka.jp/index-e.html), or occasionally Osaka, Japan,
http://www.city.osaka.jp/english - the cities closest to Korea with Korean consulates."
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
freeridden



Joined: 27 Apr 2008

PostPosted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah, I saw that, too. But if you read the big thread about the new E-2 visa requirements, everyone and their mother are posting about how the 'visa run' option is no longer an option. I wish I knew which answer is right and which answer is wrong.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Job-related Discussion Forum All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group

TEFL International Supports Dave's ESL Cafe
TEFL Courses, TESOL Course, English Teaching Jobs - TEFL International