Korean Job Discussion Forums

[HolyCow]

Hello,

So I have been dealing with a recruiter. About a week ago I FedEx'ed all my documents for them to get started on my E-2 Visa.

Now they are asking me to come early. They said I can get my visa by going to Japan. They will pay for my flight to Japan and back, but I don't know if I am comfortable working in Korea illegally.

Basically my concern has nothing to do with the illegality of it, but more the fact that if I don't have a work visa they can basically do whatever they want to me and I can't do anything about it.

The recruiter says this happens often with English teachers coming to Korea.

Has anyone done this? Any insight would be great!

Thanks!

[HolyCow]

Oh. They said I would be working for about 1 month without a visa.

I forgot to say that.

[kasain]

DONT DO IT!!!!


1st you can't go to Japan anymore.
2nd they probably had a teacher run, and are worried about students leaving to other schools. They need a teacher fast.
3rd. Recruiter doesn't care about you. he just wants to get paid.
4th They may not even send you to get a Visa in time. Had a hogwon do this to me. Had me come, waited 45 days then i got fined.
5th Did I say dont do it?

It takes 1 week to get a VISA let them do it right.

[wallythewhale]

That's like, crossing the border and working under the table.

[HolyCow]

Sooo...Sounds like I should start looking for a new recruiter.

And I have wasted a lot of time and money.

Okay, thanks. I was thinking along the same lines as you guys but guess I just wanted confirmation.

Thanks!

[buddie3232]

I would get my visa before leaving. Here is my reason:

Some schools will not get your visa but will tell you they are working on it. If they don't then you could get a black mark on your visa. Immigration might have you wait to get a new E-2 visa. Then every time you need a new visa you will need to go back to your home country.

Roll the dice if you come without a visa

[Chambertin]

Do It~

It worked well in the 80's I'm sure nothing has changed.

Never leave for a country without a proper visa. No one is worth the trouble of getting the visa issue worked out after arrival anymore. So much easier to just bring over a new body when you get fined.

[ashwri]

yeah, man. don't do it.

and i would totally get a different recruiter.

best of luck to you!

[Spoono]

i don't think you need any more people telling you this, but yeah, don't do it.

My recruiter and school told me the same thing. After a month or two in Korea, it became clear that they could NOT get my work visa... or they just had no interest in doing so. Not only that, but because I had been in Korea for so long without a visa, other jobs told me thy probably couldn't get my visa because immigration would investigate what I was doing in Korea during that time.

In the end, I left Korea, paying for my own flight, and came back to America... a rather costly thing for a young guy like myself.

Anyhow, maybe you're using the same recruiter I did, and trying to fill the job I left open

[kentucker4]

[kentucker4]

[ashwri]

sorry, but it wouldn't be fine.

rules have changed. and when you are applying for an E2 for the first time you MUST get the visa in your home country.

i went to korea last august. and my school sent me to japan as well. i was denied a visa, even though korea issued me a number.

and i never got my visa and i also had to pay way back to america, and i am not allowed to work in korea again.

so i, like the numerous others here, strongly suggest that you NOT do it.

[nick1753593]

Not in your best interest to consider that option. Wait for the legal documents and go then otherwise Forget about it.

[HolyCow]

So the Japan option isn't even an option anymore?

Is this for sure?

[moosehead]

Japan is ONLY an option for those who have held work visas in Korea previously and do not have any past aberrations on their records.

now, you've been given some solid advice so pony up - name the recruiter that's urging you to come on a work illegally -

WHO IS IT????????????

the jerk NEEDS to be reported!!!!