Korean Job Discussion Forums

gogirlgo · Joined: 30 Nov 2007

I'm leaving Korea next week and my work is concerned about getting my ARC. It's a new school and they don't know what they're doing, but another teacher left a few months ago and I guess airport immigration didn't ask for her ARC. So my school was going to be fined a couple million won and had to get her to mail it to them.

Needless to say, they're getting antsy about asking for mine.

Does anyone know how it works? Do I give my ARC to my work or wait until immigration at the airport?

Thanks in advance.

jadarite · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 9:54 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't give it to the school. Handling of the arc is between you and immigration. I had a similar card in Japan, and when I left, they asked for it at the airport.

Would you rather be held up at the airport? If your school is paying for your trip back, explain this to them. It's best you give it, for your sake and theirs.

I have doubts that the school got in trouble. It's possible, but all they have to do is notify immigration that you have left, and your visa gets cancelled. You would need to get another visa.

gogirlgo · Joined: 30 Nov 2007

I had the same thing with the gaijin card too, which is what I told them. I'll definitely hang onto it then. I don't want any hassles with immigration.

The school did get in trouble and was fined, but eventually got her card back so they didn't have to pay. I guess it is a big deal not to hand in your ARC. My visa will definitely get canceled at immigration, it's just a question of whether they'll ask for my ARC.

BrianInSuwon · Joined: 10 Jan 2006 Location: Korea

You are required to turn in the card at the airport. That is crazy that the school got in trouble. Immigration is required to check your visa status when you are departing and if your visa is about to expire, they will ask for your card. The school has no power over that. If a teacher goes on vacation and decides to not come back, all the school can do is contact immigration and report that you didn't come back. Maybe that was the problem. The school didn't contact immigration to inform them that the contract wasn't being renewed.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

juicyfresh · Joined: 22 Apr 2007

i second that - don't give it to your boss! keep it with you.
last time i left korea, i checked it with my luggage on accident - i had to pay 100,000 won at immigration.

they wouldn't accept dollars, either. i had to go back through security and change money back to won....

gogirlgo · Joined: 30 Nov 2007

Thanks for the replies! I'll definitely hang on to my card.

Btw, the other girl probably didn't get asked to turn in her card at immigration since she quit before her contract was finished.