Korean Job Discussion Forums

Soju808 · Joined: 25 Jul 2007

I am wondering what would happen if I was to leave South Korea without cancelling my VISA. I'm currently on the E-2 Visa.

I am not at that point yet, but it might come to it. The unesscesary abuse I've taken from my school is just uncalled for. Everyday I go to work I am just miserable.

Even if I were to resign, my contract states that I would still have to stay for 60 days to allow them to find a replacement, and during those 60 days, my school would give me more hell than they already are giving me. I don't think staying on those 60 days would be worth my health.

I am just curious, if I were to pull a runner, would I face any kind of penalties?

iggyb · Joined: 29 Oct 2003

Unlikely.

If you don't plan to come back to Korea to teach again any time in the near future (say a few years), then just run if you are having that bad of a time at a school.

Tell us if it is a public school or hakwon.

People should be more clear about that these days so readers will get a since of the differences between them...

Soju808 · Joined: 25 Jul 2007

I teach at a public school.

I am pretty sure that I don't want to teach again in Korea, but I lived in Korea for almost 3 years so it has a special place in my heart.

I would love to visit Korea yearly.

If I were to leave without cancelling my Visa, will I be banned?

iggyb · Joined: 29 Oct 2003

Doubtful. But I don't know if it is technically possible or not.

I also seem to remember you can do the Visa canceling at the airport as you check in.

Also, check to see whatever country you are from has a no-visa deal for short term travel in Korea. As I understand it, this is one of the items that has changed since the last time I was in Korea: The US and Korea finally worked out an agreement on short-term tourist stays that don't require any Visa - for up to 90 days...

I doubt a school would go to the trouble to try to have you blacklisted long term - even if it is possible.

Rory_Calhoun27 · Joined: 14 Feb 2009

just out of curiosity, why was the OP miserable at a public school?

I ask because I had my own experiences... overall though, I can see why the majority of the people I know have a pleasant time in PS's.... and the negative stories seem to feature the wilingness of the Coteacher(s) to work as a team.

Soju808 · Joined: 25 Jul 2007

Here is the situation at my school. I made a thread about this before.

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=160158&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

andrewchon · Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 4:40 am Post subject:

I haven't read all the posts but have you contacted SMOE/EPIK/GEPIK for help?

chris_J2 · Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Location: From Brisbane, Au.

I'm pretty sure Korean Immigration officials will demand your ARC card on departure, at the airport, & your E2 visa will automatically be cancelled. You need a letter of release, if you want to leave your school early. If you genuinely feel sick, then by all means take a day or 2 off. Your coteachers just might even start to appreciate you!

thoreau · Joined: 21 Jun 2009

<<<deleted>>>

iggyb · Joined: 29 Oct 2003

He won't need a release letter if he doesn't plan on teaching in Korea again during the period of his current visa.

On contacting the recruiter instead of EPIK or SMOE and so on --- yeah, why contact the people you have the contract with.....sounds perfectly reasonable.....

iggyb · Joined: 29 Oct 2003

I read some of that other thread.

I agree - in a perhaps more tame way - that in hindsight, it would have been better for you to stick up for yourself early on. (And teaching 22 individual classes a week on your own is ludicrous!!!). You probably would have gotten more respect out of her and most likely more help from others in making your plight easier if you had drawn the boundary lines early on.

One thing expat ESL instructors forget, especially the first timers, is that --- you are an expensive asset to the school --- whether we are talking about hakwons or public schools (though I do not have experience in the public schools).

You were expensive to recruit and bring over, and you will be expensive to replace. You also offer something they can't simply acquire on their own: native speaker fluency.

By no means do I suggest that the TESOLers have the advantage in "power" in the ESL industry or in each school.

But - TESOLers do have more power in influence than is normally realized.

TESOLers also have the tendency to back down if things become confrontational --- which might be the way things happen in Japan among the Japanese - but is not how you see it in Korean society among Koreans.

I do not advocate TESOLers being confrontational and causing scenes at work or in a private office.

I am just saying don't be afraid to stand up for your rights and what is reasonable and don't be cowed if the Korean side gets confrontational/heated. Stand your ground when you know you are right.

Intrepid · Joined: 13 May 2004 Location: Yongin

Back to the original question: if you want to leave, just leave. The officials at the airport are only concerned about people who overstay their visas. If you want to leave, and your visa is current, you are free to go. You can tell them you're not coming back on that visa, and they'll take your alien card. If you are coming back one day, that might be the best option. If you're never coming back, keep the ARC as a souvenir if you want.

chris_J2 · Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Location: From Brisbane, Au.

You can no longer keep the ARC. Immigration will demand it from you.

Soju808 · Joined: 25 Jul 2007

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

Hmm, question.

If I were to turn in my arc at immigration, can they stop me from leaving the country without cancelling my Visa? Then they would know I'm pulling a runner.

oldtactics · Joined: 18 Oct 2008

They can't detain you for leaving before the end of your contract. Hand in your ARC and walk through those shiny gates.

If you're that worried about it, just pay the extra 30,000 won, get a multiple re-entry on your visa, and then tell immigration that you're going on vacation.