Korean Job Discussion Forums

[roam177]

Question: Do you need a Letter of Release if you've been fired? I have received a termination letter with 30 days notice. I've been working there since June 1- nearly eight months. Reason: "problems with my classes". I will try to get him to sign a LOR but I don't know if he'll sign it. Also, would I have to get another Criminal Check to make another contract? I've already submitted one 8 months ago and I haven't left Korea since then. The owner/director has been paying me late (2 weeks late) for the last 7 months. It comes in 2 or 3 payments over 2 weeks. He gets angry when I ask him about it. He routinely makes promises to pay the next day or in two days and then says nothing as those days come and go.

[Whistleblower]

Go to immigration and request a departure order. That will cancel your visa instantly.

[yingwenlaoshi]

You'll actually need some sort of letter if you're applying for a new visa. But if they refuse to give you one, immigration will probably take care of it somehow. They'll ask you to write a short statement saying the reason why you were terminated. That's what I had to do when I didn't have a release letter. One of my ex-employer had contacted immi, either in person or by phone, telling them I was terminated. Hence the statement needed from me. That's the key. They need some sort of communication from your ex-employer.

It depends on which immigration office and/or agent you get. Either way, it's workable. Try to get a release letter from your ex-boss. My last job, they asked for a release letter from my previous employer who had fired me.

Was fired twice in 2008 where the first job's contract started in March. Second started in June. Working on a hat trick within a year. I'm on my third job in less than a year.

[Sector7G]

I am thinking a termination letter would serve the same purpose as a Letter of Release. They are, after all, releasing you from the contract. If I am right on this, it would allow you to simply transfer your visa to a new employer. If I am wrong, and you have to start from scratch, I think you will have to get a new CRC as I heard they only have a 6 month shelf life.

Good luck! Would love to hear how it turns out.

[yingwenlaoshi]

It's not really permission from your ex-employer that is needed, I think. It's just proof that you don't work there anymore. They might mix things up at immigration as far as the reasons are concerned. Permission is when you transfer from one school to another. They just need proof that you don't work for the school any longer.

[Sector7G]

Exactly. And a termination letter does that.

[maingman]

http://www.efl-law.com/korean-labor-law.php

[roam177]

Thanks for the replies on this you guys.

Here's an update. Immigration in Gwangju gave me the cold shoulder. She said, "You need a LOR. I can't help you. It's between you and your director."

The Labor Ministry, which has recently been moved from downtown to way out on the outskirts of town (brilliant decision) also gave me the cold shoulder.

Not sure, but I think my interpreter didn't do a very good job either. Tough day.

[bassexpander]

All you need to do is get an exit order, leave the country, come back, and apply for a new visa.

If you attempt to stay in the country, then you'll need the exit order.

Listen to my podcast about the Labor Board:

www.themidnightrunner.com

[yingwenlaoshi]

[yingwenlaoshi]

[yingwenlaoshi]

Here you go. Get the signature of your employer and the company stamp at the bottom:

외국인영어강사의양도동의사 �Letter of consent to release foreign teacher.

선생님이름 � Name of teacher:

국적 � Nationality:

여권번호 � Passport number:

주소 � Address: 1043-1, Yeongtong-dong, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si
수원시 영통구 영통동 1043-1 번지


전화번호 � Phone number:

위의사람은저희학원에서 23/3/2005 부터 31/10/2005 까지영어강사로이사람이다른영어학원이나학교에서일할수있다고승인합니다.

The above person has been working at our school/academy from 23/3/2005 to 31/10/2005 in the position of foreign language teacher. We hereby give our consent to the release of this person from their contract effective 31/10/2005 and/or the transfer of said person to work for another English school/academy.

날짜 � Dated: 23/8/2005

AB School. B/D 수원시 영통구 영통동 1030-1 번지
AB School.. B/D 1030-1, Yeongtong-dong, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si

Signature of Employer

____________________

[watergirl]

hi

So the same thing happened to me. Incheon immigration told me I need a LOR, and that they couldn't help me when I told them my boss wouldn't give it to me. I spent several hours there with a Korean friend and almost cried. She almost seemed to help when we mentioned that Soeul immigration siad you only need a LOR to transfer visas. And she said I only had 2 wks to get another job. (even though I am allowed to stay in the ctry for 1 mnth).

Then, 2 wks later, the same immigration robot told me I don't need a LOR and could now take 30 days to apply for a new visa,.

Anyways, I think the change came about from several recruiters calling them, and apparaently even my boss asked about my visa, and the fact that immigration in korean law is supposed to apply everywhere, and maybe me and my friend being there for 3 hrs and the crying too.

I still haven't applied for a new visa yet (accepted a job) so you never know if I'm in the clear yet.

But keep trying or get a job under the Seoul immigration office's jurisdiction. apparently, according to immigration call centre, things are easier there

good luck