Korean Job Discussion Forums

[richinlondon]

Hello,

I have a question about the ARC. I recently had to leave Korea, breaking the contract and also not giving notice. It was a turbulent time and I had not read up about handing back the card at the airport.

My director has informed the immigration office that I ran away as he should but now I have no idea about my status and what my options are for coming back to Korea as a tourist or to work.

Am I right in saying that my E-2 visa has basically expired from the moment immigration has been told I'm not working at that Hagwon? Does this mean I have to apply for a new visa after my original one would have expired or is it possible to apply for one immediately?

I have a Korean friend who has said that if another school director helped me through the process of getting a new visa it would be easier.

I believe that immigration look at each case individually and make a decision about whether to issue new visas. I was in the city of Gwangju.

Obviously this whole situation could have been avoided if I had taken the right path and given the correct notice. My situation really was unteanable with family back home. I guess this will play a factor if I need to explain myself at immigration?

What would happen if I flew back into Seoul right now? I left within the 14 day period and it was over 2 weeks ago I left the school now.

Any advice much appreciated.

[lebowski]

The director could have canceled your working visa, which means you can apply for another position. He might have also said to immigration that you left without giving proper notice. This could be a slight black mark on your immigration profile.

I understand that you had to go home for personal reasons, but you could have at least informed your boss what was happening. I think what you did was completely unprofessional. We hear so much about shady academies, but you aren't claiming this is the case with your school. You said it was family reasons. Your boss might have understood your situation. I hope that you do have to wait until your visa expires, that way it will give you time to think about your unprofessionalism.

[richinlondon]

It was a new school basically so there were several problems associated with new schools; no organisation, no support or training.

But I completely take your comments onboard about unprofessionalism, its a slant on my integrity which will always remain with me so it was by no means an easy decision.

When the problems back home arised, I did feel I had exhausted my options after telling my hagwon about my problems at the school without any real effort being made to help me with them.

I think the agencies should be more realistic about the teaching also, being thrown into classes of 40 year olds, 17 year olds and 8 year olds is a hard task to take on but I would return to Korea with a full TEFL certificate if I was to go back.

[ttompatz]

IF you had a re-entry permit or multi-entry visa then you will have to ensure that it was canceled OR wait until it has expired (your one year is up).

Leaving will not void or cancel your visa if you kept your ARC AND had a re-entry permit or multi-entry visa.

Immigration and the report your old boss game them is another issue. If you left AND there were outstanding debts (airfare, utilities, etc) AND this was reported to immigration you will have problems getting a new visa within the next year.

Your best option is go through the visa process again and see if immigration will give you a new visa confirmation number or if they will deny you.

If you get denied then Japan, Taiwan or China are options that you may want to consider.

.

[richinlondon]

I did have a multiple entry Visa. I really don't know what my boss has said to immigration, probably that I just left and broke the contract.

My friend called the hagwon to tell them why I did what I did and she said they were more surprised that I left than anything else.

They mentioned the outstanding airfare when she called. I had the intention to pay this back to them, after all, my decision left them with problems but I would still not want to be seen as a thief.

Is a letter of release inconsequential now immigration has been informed? I guess it really does hinge on what immigration has been told but I have no idea how to put my case across really.

[ttompatz]

[richinlondon]

Is it usually just random as to whether a immigration office will issue another visa or not?

Im pretty sure the visa would have been cancelled.

Maybe I'll get in contact with an agency over here in the UK and see what they say about getting me another job.

Thanks for your advice.

I was in Kwangju, Keumhodong, nice area.

[moosehead]

[richinlondon]

I heard from my friend in Korea that the school is not overly upset about me leaving and found a teacher fairly quickly. They mentioned the flight ticket money and that was one of the first things I thought about resolving.

They did keep a quarter of my wage for two months anyway but I guess this just covers the agency fees?

Would you get a job through another agency though or try to get a visa and then apply once in Korea?

[moosehead]

I think a lot depends on whether or not this was your first E2 - sounds like it was - so that means a lot of the rules have changed and I don't think anyone on here and really predict what will happen.

winter camps will be coming up soon in Dec - you might want to apply to one of them - maybe a public school position for next March - do the winter camp and then you'll be set for the new school year in March -

either way - I wouldn't sweat it - you just need to be frank about the fact you left and it was because of a family emergency - and save the details for your drinking buddies -

[ttompatz]