Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sendittheemail]

Hello, I thought I would shed some light on a subject that has been brought up a few times recently.


Question: If I already got a criminal background check last year, and now I want to apply for my second E2 visa, do I need to fly home and get another criminal background check?


Answer: No. Two weeks ago, I went to apply for my new E2 Visa. I submitted a criminal check last year (a local one from a tiny local police station in my town, NOT a department of Justice Fingerprint check). When I went to the immigration office in Mapo (not the main office, but th smaller one about 10 minutes walk away), I had to submit only my degree, transcripts, passport, alien card and paperwork from my new job in order to get a visa issuance number for my second E2 visa.

My previous criminal background check records were ON FILE at immigration. So, in conclusion, if you have done it once, you won't have to do it again, unless the law changes. So, no need to fly back home and get another check done, the Korean Immigration bureau for once actually is operating under the guise of common sense.

[princess]

BUT, if you leave Korea without a new job lined up, don't you have to submit one again, when you come back and start a new job? I submitted a CBC in December when I extended my visa for 2 months, and I am pretty sure I will need to come back to Korea with the new CBC I have now to start a new job.

[ontheway]

The rule is that, in most cases, if you have not left Korea during the term of or following your current visa, you will not need a new CBC. If you have returned home for even a short visit, you will probably need a new CBC.

[VanIslander]

inconsistency in applying rules is the rule in Korea

don't assume that what was the case with someone else will be so with you

[UncleAlex]

If you leave the country after having completed or broken a contract, then a new CRC report is required for the new E2 application. One doesn't necessarily have to return to his native country either. After my last contract was up on Feb 28 and my ARC was still good, I had two weeks to find a job and 30 days to leave the country. I had no luck finding a new job by the end of that period and went to Japan for a change of status on my passport. After I returned on the same day, I had to order a new CRC report for my current job which began in late May. To save time I flew to Toronto and got the report in 10 business days.

[Tobias]

Jesus. One must fly all the way home for a little piece of paper. And that isn't the worst of it. Korea doesn't demand police checks from the other countries a person may visit between jobs. And if he doesn't return to his home country during that time, he still must go back to his home country to get a check. If you're from the US and don't return home, you shouldn't need a new check. You have your passport as proof, which would finally work as proof, with the border crossings with Mexico and Canada demanding passports now.

[ladron]

OP - did you just extend your E2 at the same place of employment, or did you get a new E2 for a new employer?

[blade]

[Bibbitybop]

I can't help with 99% of this discussion because immigration laws are ever changing and screwed to all hell, but I can say your CBC can be ordered through the mail and verified here depending on whether your home state/province/country allows you to obtain it overseas.