Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mcorteau]

Heres my predicament. I have signed a contract and sent my visa documents to the school. My recruiter called me and asked if I could leave earlier than my date and do a visa run in japan. Sounds great right? Well, she called me today and said the school, which is very reputable in Korea, wants me to work a week or two before then send me on a visa run. I know this is illegal and the school knows this is illegal--they have mentioned that. They are not forcing me to do it and said I could come at the normal time which is three weeks from now.

What are the consequences for me if I decided to do this and get caught? How do you get caught? What is the likelihood of getting caught? How sketch is this? Is this a normal thing at all? Please help me. It seems we both have something to lose, but am not sure the gist. Has anyone done this before? Help!!!!!!

**Also, they say that the reason they need me to come early is because a teacher is very sick. I just don't want to be banned from working in Korea:(

[AgentM]

If it's illegal I'd just say no. Say you'll show up at the appropriate time. It's not worth the risk.

[Skippy]

First off this is ilegal. You should not do it. Now that I have myself covered. Welcome to the wonderful world of the bali bali /last minute culture of Korea.

Your chances of getting caught are slim! Some advice if you are going to work early. Do not work early if the previous teacher has been fired. Greater chance of a dob in. Other things that chance up your chance of being caught are working in a city or school hires a whole lotta of wayguk teachers.

Next, If you work early, get concrete plans of the Japan Trip. Set a exact time. Some schools just can not plan. They say next week you go then things at the school just got busy, so they say wait another week, then just a little bit longer. Before you know it you have worked a month and half. The longer you work illegal the greater the chance of being caught. Some schools if they know you are from like Canada understand you can (VISIT) be in Korea for six months soon get it in their head that you can WORK for six months - - then go on a visa run. Once again longer you work greater the chance.

Also one last tip if this is your first contact andlooking at your date of signup - NO. You can NOT do a Japan Visa trip on your first contract. I mean it would be cruddy if the concivnce you to work early and then you go and find out you need to do and Interview back in your home country.

What they asked you to do can be done but still has a slim chance of gong *beep* up.

Good Luck.

[mcorteau]

PS: They said the teacher im replacing is really sick. Again, I am more concerned to know the consequences of getting caught by immigration than anything else. THANKS two the two replies so far!

And ive heard first timers can get their E-2 Visa in Japan as long as their degree is verified by KCUE, or something like that.

[Carla]