Korean Job Discussion Forums

bet · Joined: 29 May 2009

I have been thinking about teaching in Korea for a while now (was just offered a good job) and have talked with my long time boyfriend (we've lived together for a few years now) about coming with me. He is an artist and a writer and would love to just do freelance writing in Korea and work part time... but he needs a visa. I will have a fairly ideal job but we don't know what will be available to him (we will not be in Seoul). He's excited to go, but a little apprehensive about how it might work out.

The scary thing is imagining going there and him not being able to find work and then having to leave. We'd like to find something part-time before hand though so they will pay his airfare. Does anyone have experience with this situation? Do part-time jobs offer airfare compensation? Does it make a difference if we were married; like would he be able to stay there and not have a job or just teach private lessons? Is it easy enough to find good jobs once you are in Korea.

If anyone has had a situation like this that either worked out well or ended with your partner being miserable or leaving I would really like to hear from you. Thanks.

kiwiduncan · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Location: New Zealand

If he has a four year university degree he should be able to find someone who's willing to offer him legitimate part-time work on an E2 Visa, but it's true that they are hard to find when you're not in Korea. Perhaps he could come over on a tourist VISA and hunt around for part time options when he's there.

Don't be tempted by any illegal positions. If he gets thrown out of the country then it will bugger up not only his plans, but your plans too. Good luck.

(where will you be based?)

bet · Joined: 29 May 2009

Thanks for the help kiwiduncan. We'll be in Jeonju.

wings · Joined: 09 Nov 2006

If you're married then you can sponsor him as your dependant. It won't allow him to work, but it means that as long as you have an E2 visa he can stay in the country. My partner was here with me for the last year, with only a tourist visa, it was a bit difficult as he had to leave the country every 3 months, but that was the only big problem.