Korean Job Discussion Forums

[acousticlive]

I'm in a bit of a bind here, and no one at my school has really answered my questions, so I'm coming to you guys. Here is my situation.

I am renewing with my hagwon. I've had trouble obtaining my criminal background check from the States. I initially got an online one and got the affidavit, but it was the week that they stopped accepting it. I'm currently waiting on my local background check from my police department to arrive. It should have arrived by today, at the latest, next Wednesday.

However, my visa also expires today. My school said they could get a month's extension as long as they show that I have a ticket departing the country. Then they would send me home at the end of August and I would have a month to send my new documents to Korea for the visa.
I don't want to go back to the U.S. for September. I've already made plans with my family to go back in October, and don't want to change that.

I realize that while I'm on the extension, I probably won't be working legally, and I'm fine with that. But what I want to know is, can I obtain my new E2 while I'm on the extension, and then go to Japan for a weekend or something and enter again on the new visa? My school says this is impossible. Is it? It's not really a visa run because I would get my e2 while I'm in the country, exit the country on the extension, then re-enter on my new visa.

It makes sense to me, and seems like a reasonable approach to my situation, but I'm beginning to realize that what seems reasonable isn't precisely what works in this country.

[schwa]

Sorry, I cant follow all the convolutions of your situation, but if your visa does indeed expire today (the date on your ARC) & you havent taken some action by immi's closing time this afternoon you're gonna face unpleasant ramifications.

[polonius]

You need to get a plane ticket TODAY to show that you are leaving the country. It can be to anywhere. If you can convince your school that you want to do a Japan Visa run, than, book a ticket for Japan. You cannot do a visa run on a weekend, it is a 2 workday process.

You are correct in that you would be working illegally if they extend with a plane ticket.

I would book the ticket for about 3-4 weeks from now, as once your documents get here, it will take your school 5-10 business days to process your visa issuance number.

Make sure that you have all the necessary documents. Degree, sealed transcripts, Background check. The other things that you need are easily obtainable. Signed contract, health statement saying you don't do drugs and don't have aids, passport sized pictures, photocopy of passport picture page, and the application form.

[acousticlive]

Well, my local check came in on Friday and I took off from classes to take it to the embassy. I got another affidavit and they submitted it to immigration, and now my school says immigration won't accept the local check because they can't tell where it's from. (I'm from a tiny town in Texas)

I'm starting to think they're just messing around with me. I'm going to start searching for new schools soon.