Korean Job Discussion Forums

[tombirner]

It's the end of my second week and I just got fired. Don't need to get into it (WOW there are some backstabbing gossipers in this place), but my main concern is what to do about my visa. I'd like to stay in Korea. My recruiter assured me that if I find a job in fourteen days, I won't even have to leave the country. But my school is canceling my visa in a week, so I don't really know how the timing works there.

So yes, my school is canceling my visa in a week. I'm on an E2. Already got the criminal background check and all that. What makes it a bit trickier is I just went to immigration to apply for my alien card, so they have my passport and medical exam- they were going to mail it to my school in a week or two (with my new alien card).

Do I get my letter of release, a new contract, and do a visa transfer at Seoul immigration?? Is it as simple as that? At what point, or how much time must pass before it's necessary to go to Japan?

[sarbonn]

I don't have the answers for you because I'm not sure what to do when your information is in the system already, but I just wanted to wish you luck and hope you land on your feet.

[Cerriowen]

Your contract should say that the school must give you 30 days notice to fire you. Since you just started, obviously it hasn't been 30 days. Point this out to the school... and tell them they have the option of giving you 30 days pay, and a letter of release... or deal w/ the labor board.

From the time your school cancles your visa, I think you have 10 days to leave Korea. Then you'll have to resubmit all the paperwork (CRC, Transcripts, Diploma).

I don't know if you can transfer over your visa to a new school or not, I've never tried.

[jdog2050]

[tombirner]

Just checked my contract... it doesn't say anything about thirty day notice. It says I'll be paid for the days I worked, pro-rated.

I hear encouraging things about how to get a job at a new school. I think I need a release letter, which I'll get, and a new contract from my new school. But I was told I have a limited window in which to do it.

Any definite information on this would be very much appreciated.

[CentralCali]

You've been here two weeks? You can forget about the Labor Board actually caring about you, let alone doing anything at all about the situation. On top of that, the Labor Board has no legal authority to enforce its decisions anyway. It's more of a speed bump on the way to a real court than an effective official venue.

Another note: Go to Immigration immediately and change your file with them to indicate that you will pick up your documents on the completion date. Seriously, NEVER have anything you absolutely need mailed to your school. The only exception to that is the passport express mail service. That's a legitimate outfit which will only deliver to you; they won't accept anyone else's signature. Having Immigration send your passport to your boss is only giving a dishonest boss more opportunity to mess up your life.

[Cerriowen]

[CentralCali]

Yes, you should be covered. In reality, you're not covered until you hit, depending on the particular Labor Board, either three months or six months {check many other posts on this board to see who's had to wait for six months or for three}.

[poet13]

"Seriously, NEVER have anything you absolutely need mailed to your school. The only exception to that is the passport express mail service. That's a legitimate outfit which will only deliver to you; they won't accept anyone else's signature. "

ahh, umm....the one out of Daegu delivered to my last school office. They opened it, photocopied EVERY page, including visa pages which nothing to do with Korea, put it back in the envelope, and then tried to tell me that it was like that. I only found out because one of the office girls was sweet on me....and drunk.

[leaf]

If you have your letter of release and a new contract you can get a visa transfer.
A couple I know have recently had it done, they said it was all pretty simple.

[dmbfan]

o.p.

If the school cancells your visa, you DO NOT need a letter of release. Also, if your criminal record check was done within a six month time frame, then it is fine (unless you left Korea and came back within your first two weeks of work).

What you will need..........

1. Transcripts.
2. College Diploma
3. Copy of your criminal background check.

Since you have to go to immigration with the school to cancel your visa, I would suggest getting something in writing from them, stating that it is being cancelled.

OR.....you could find a public school that will transfer the visa to them.


Cheer up. It's Korea.......you'll find a job (trust me).

dmbfan

[MattAwesome]

It is still relevent why they fired you. If it was because of something they heard through the grapevine, it is different than you failed a test or didnt meet a requirement in your contract.

In any case. Another casualty of the failing hagwon system.

[martinpil]

How come you got fired mate? I would have smacked whoever fired me in two weeks in the gob. Don't they care that you just flew 6000 miles to work there? Have you had problems with your students or something? What happened? Can't you go and see the head and ask that you be given a chance or something?

[CentralCali]

Now that martinpil's mentioned the flight, what has your school mentioned about that? If they flew you over, you know they're going to spring that bill on you.

[Straphanger]

Unless the OP comes clean with why he got fired, I'm going to have to assume he failed a drug test.