Korean Job Discussion Forums

PatrickM · Joined: 15 Mar 2009

I've been here for over a year now. I changed schools - had to get a release letter from my prior employer. So many people were telling me so many different things about what I would need in order to stay in Korea.

I made sure that I followed what was listed on the website. This is what I brought to immigration.

* Passport/foreign registration card
* New employment contract
* Health examination
* Updated criminal report from US w/ apostille
* copy of registration of educational institute est. and operation
* business registration
* reference
* fees (90,000)
* transcripts/diploma

Here was the verdict:
Visa renewal was accepted under the contract of the new employer. They didn't even take my criminal report (my dad didn't even need to do all of that stuff like go to the local police office and then to the secretary of state's dept.). They didn't take my medical report (waste of 50,000!). I paid 90,000. They didn't take any of my transcripts or diploma either.

I thought I'd put that information out there, just in case anyone is researching for their same situation. Just my opinion, bring all of those things if possible, because you never know what these Koreans are thinking. They're crazy.

Blip

eac02 · Joined: 23 Jan 2008

are you in seoul?

chachee99 · Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Location: Seoul Korea

I changed schools - had to get a release letter from my prior employer.

There is your reason why you never had to submit transcripts, a medical check, or criminal background check.

If you had left the country or not submitted anything before then those documents would have been required. As long as you don't leave Korea then you do not need to submit them. However, once you leave the country, even for a day and come back on a tourist visa then you have to go through the entire process again.

Sector7G · Joined: 24 May 2008

Beeyee · Joined: 29 May 2007

Yep I had a similar easy experience. I just renewed with the same school and didn't require a criminal check.

Good times!

travelingfool · Joined: 10 Mar 2008 Location: Parents' basement

Here is my situation in a nutshell........

Unfortunately my last job didn't work out and I ended up quitting after a few months. I got a letter of release.

I left Korea and turned in my ARC at Incheon. I came back to Korea a few weeks later and found that my E2 was still active. This was about six months ago.

How can I find out my visa status from here in the states? (I tried the consulate to no avail). I highly doubt my school actually canceled my visa. I have read that if you haven't been at your school at least 9 months the actual school owner has to accompany you to immigration to cancel the visa before you can apply for another one and that LOR only applies after the 9 month mark.

I have read stories on here about people who quit their jobs before 9 months, informed immigration about their resignation, got an exit order, then flew to Japan for a visa run, all without their former employer getting involved. I thought that basically if the employer doesn't cut you loose with immigration your only option is to wait until the original E2 expires?

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

typo · Joined: 16 Jun 2009

But..Korean immigration officials ARE crazy. The crazy has been documented hundreds of times over. That wasn't unbigoted nor was it uncalled for.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

nolegirl · Joined: 17 Apr 2008

I have a question that I need answered fast.

If I am renewing with the same school but I am leaving the country right when my visa is expiring and my school has not gotten me an extension will I have to get all the paperwork again.

I want a free trip to Japan so i am not pushing them but if I have to get all of my paperwork again then I need my renewal now.