Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lizziebennet]

I heard you could stay in the country for 2 weeks after the day your contract ends. That is, without going to immigration and getting any paperwork. Is this still the case?

[Tobias]

As long as you have a valid visa and ARC, and your school hasn't cancelled your visa on you without your knowledge, you should be able to do that. In other words, your risking your neck if you buy into this rumour.

[Tommy]

The 2 weeks only applies to when the contract is terminated early. If you complete your contract, then you must be out that day, or whatever date is on your ARC.

[RJjr]

I had gotten a work visa at the Korean Consulate in Atlanta and it was good for only 365 days. I think my ARC, which I got at Immigration in Seoul-Omokyo a couple of weeks later, was only good through the expiration date of my work visa. The assistant director at my school got out of bed early to go with me to Immigration and the bosslady paid to get it all extended for the few days that was remaining in my contract.

I've read on here from other posters in the past that if you overstay your documents, you have to pay a fine based on how many days you overstayed.

[lizziebennet]

My contract ends 2 weeks after my fiance, and he would have to go through the whole process again (getting a medical, criminal record check etc). I was wondering if anyone if he could get a tourist visa or something without having to leave the country or get a criminal clearance certificate.

[jkelly80]

You can extend for thirty days on an the end of an e-2, from what I've heard, but I'm not sure if you have to prove that you're going to be working for these thirty days or not.

[IlIlNine]

0 days.

[ttompatz]

Definitive answers to the OP and others who are wondering:

IF your contract goes PAST the expiry date of your ARC you need a WORKING extension and the process is the same (it doesn't matter if the extension is one day or one year).

1. Visa Extension Application
2. Passport and your Alien Registration Card
3. New contract
4. Sponsorship Certificate (from school)
5. A copy of Certificate of School / Business Registration (from school)
6. Processing Fee
7. New Criminal Record Certificate, apostillized / embassy notarized (if you have not submitted one already).
8. New Health Check Certificate (if you have not submitted one already).

If you quit early you have 30 days (OR until your ARC expiry / which ever comes first) to be out of the country.

If your visa expires and you wish to stay for a short time WITHOUT WORKING you can get a FREE extension from immigration. You NEED your ARC, passport and exit ticket. You will be extended until the date of the ticket. This CANNOT be extended again.

The other option is to catch the ferry to Japan and return for as long as your entry stamp is good for (30-180 days-depending on your nationality).

YOU CANNOT REMAIN IN THE COUNTRY PAST THE EXPIRY DATE INDICATED ON YOUR ARC without being in an overstay position and subject to: being detained at departure, questioned, fined, possibly held in detention (until the fine is paid) AND having a black mark put into your immigration file.


GET AN EXTENSION.

.

[ciccone_youth]

As for the opposite situation- how long do you HAVE to stay after the last day of teaching? Do you have to stay a few more days or are you allowed to fly back home right away?

[jkelly80]

Ttompatz--

So if I wanted to just hang out for a couple weeks after I'm finished with my contract I could go get that extension? How long is it good for?

[ttompatz]

[RACETRAITOR]

When I finished my first one-year contract, I decided to stay five extra days so I could move up to Seoul, then I left the country for a three-week holiday. At the airport I was stopped and sent to immigration, where they told me I was an illegal alien for five days. They let me off with a warning though because my skin is white.