Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Spoono]

I promise I'll try to keep this brief, though it's a long story and I tend to ramble anyhow.

for ease of the reader, I'll just give the abridged version here. It is kind of an interesting story in a logistical sort of way, so if you guys want the details later, I can fill you in.

I came to Korea 3 months ago under the promise that my school would get my E2 within a matter of weeks. However, 3 months have gone by, still no work VISA. Due to being in Korea for 3 months and working illegally, I am informed that it may be difficult/risky to get my E2 visa now.

Currently, my plan is to head back home (america), look for a new job, get my visa 100% complete, then come back out to korea... or whatever country. China, actually, looks promising.

I have no experience in this sort of thing, but I figure I'll just book a flight for next friday (1 week from today). This allows me time to receive my monthly paycheck, transfer money, get my stuff in order.

That's where my inquiry comes in. I don't even have my visa, so I figure i should have absolutely no legal binding to my school, right? Should I tell my boss before I go? Should I tell anyone at all? If it's not good to tell anyone, do you leave a written notice or something?

Any advice appreciated. And again, if you want further details, just ask. It may actually be useful information, as I think my VISA troubles are because of the recent tightening of restrictions.



And about myself, since this is my first post here. I'm 23 years old, BA in English lit. I substitute taught at 3 adult level English schools in California for just under a year before coming out to Korea. In Korea, i work at a very typical kindy/elementary hakwon... and it sucks.

thanks for your time

[Demophobe]

Edit: whatever.

[Tobias]

Your ability to work legally in the future in Korea hinges on whether anyone beyond your boss knows you're working illegally now. I'd do the runner, go back to the States, and get another (legit) job here in SK.

[Spoono]

[Demophobe]

[polonius]

The only person who could cause trouble for you would be the school. But they won't want to rock the boat with immigration, as it would mean a bigger fine for them.

I don't condone runners, but in a case where they are making you work illegally, I say go. Don't look back.

You won't get fined unless you have stayed longer than your visitor's visa, or if the school reports you (not going to happen.)

They are probably holding a few days pay on you anyway, that should cover your plane ticket. But, I would pay for any other bills you have incurred as a matter of principle.

[Spoono]

[Spoono]

[dean_burrito]

I was in a similar situation when I first came to Korea so I feel your pain will give you my two cents for what it is worth.
Get paid again and then tell them you don't want to work anymore without a visa and they need to find a way to get you on asap. Considering you even want to stay at the school.
Now if you want to leave and come back you have a bigger issue to deal with. If you have over stayed your tourist visa immigration will likely deny your working visa or at very least make it difficult to ever get one. I may be wrong but you may have a fine for each day you overstay.
If it isn't possible for you to to a quick in and out of this country you can try your luck and go to immigration in person and ask for an extension. Tell them you are staying here with you fiance or something of the sort and would like to stay longer than you originally planned because you love her, blah blah. I'm sure you get the point.
Good luck.

[Demophobe]

Look...I don't want to be so callous, but you have let this go on for three months, knowing full well you were illegal. Now things are out of control and you feel you have to run.

As dean said above, your passive stance has now opened a whole new set of issues for you to deal with.

Go to the labor board and at least try to get on the right side of this thing. The board will find you both at fault in this matter though; whatever that means, at least you will be out of I-wonderland. That, or blast off and try again for a visa. If they deny you, you know the answer.

[Spoono]

passive stance, what the hell? I've been pestering my school since I got here for information about the VISA. I can't help it if I just came to Korea and don't have the experience to know what my options are.

don't understand why the angst


And a note I should have mentioned before, I have no intention to stay at this school. None whatsoever. I don't like the work, don't like the administration. I don't even plan to come back to Korea, especially not if it will be a problem to. I still have time on my tourist visa as I went to hong kong for a weekend.

And about the VISA, I'm not sure if this matters at all, but the school says they tried to get the visa. Every time I've asked about it, they've told me they are trying, so it's not like I thought they were doing nothing about it and I was just okay with that.

Apparently the reason it can't get completed is because of recent restriction on the Mok Dong area making it very difficult for people who are already in Seoul to get a VISA. The school didn't know about this. They absolutely should have known, but they didn't.

Or at least they tell me they didn't. It takes pulling teeth to get a straight answer from them.

[Demophobe]

[Spoono]

[dean_burrito]

It's a good thing your visa issue is covered and if you don't want to stay at the school I would say you have no problems. Tell the school you are leaving or don't. I'm not sure of your relationship with them outside of this issue.
Also if you sense angst from Demophobe or not he does have a point. Things are getting out of control and you need to take care of this. Nothing good will come out of not doing so.
If nothing else get them to send you on another vacation to keep your tourist status. Still risky but it might be a way to make the most of a not so ideal situation.

[polonius]