Korean Job Discussion Forums

rationality · Joined: 05 Jul 2007 Location: Some where in S. Korea

Well, I have just finished an EPIK contract, and I am getting ready to jump into another PS job, but the Masan immigration says that I need to fork over another criminal record check. Does it make any sense to you that I have to get another one when I have been living in Korea for last year, and that I have not been to America since I obtained my last criminal record check? Do they think that I might have flown back last week to the US and committed a crime or something?

It seems to me that I ought to be getting a criminal record check from S. Korea, since that is the country where I have lived for the last year. The regulations just don't make any sense to me. Looks like just more unnecessary red tape and costs.

What a bunch of Bull! Rolling Eyes

Maybe, I ought to tell them to stuff it! Evil or Very Mad

loyfriend · Joined: 03 Aug 2009

I would like to know how to get a background check done while in Korea.

I mean it take 2-3 months I would think.

Get fingerprints done in korea, mail to USA 1 week.
Proocess the request 7-10 days.
Then if i recall it has to be Noterized or AP stamped that takes another week.

Then mail it back to korea. Yet another week.

rationality · Joined: 05 Jul 2007 Location: Some where in S. Korea

I have a copy of my finger prints card, but what really ticks me off is that I haven't returned to the US since I finished my EPIK job two weeks ago.

It just doesn't make any sense to go through this hoop for the next job which is supposed to start the first week of December. The recruiter said that the immi would give me until the end of February.

loyfriend · Joined: 03 Aug 2009

Many people on this forum will agree with you.

"Koreans dont make sense" from judgements they make to some laws they enforce or lack of enforce.

You think they allow you to do a self printout background check once your already in Korea. Do it online and forget about it.

rationality · Joined: 05 Jul 2007 Location: Some where in S. Korea

Well, I guess that my point here is that if you are taking another job after your current one, then don�t take a vacation and expect not to apply for another criminal record check. Once you leave the country and return for another job, then you will need to apply for another CRC; even if you have been out for less than a month. This is what I have been told today by my recruiter.

Have a nice day! Very Happy

blonde researcher · Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 11:53 pm Post subject:

You may have been in a public school jobs and be going to a new public school job, but if the first job was EPIK and you were issued a notice of appointment from the office of education for that one, and now your next job is a process through immigration, unfortunately you will have to do a complete new set of papers.

The reason being is that the office of education holds all papers for the EPIK teachers and does not hand these to the immigration office. So if you are doing a visa process for the next job, the immigration do not hold any of your original papers for the CRC etc. Crying or Very sad

rationality · Joined: 05 Jul 2007 Location: Some where in S. Korea

jpotter78 · Joined: 29 Oct 2009 Location: Seoul, South Korea

I was dealing with a similar situation (even though now it has changed) and I talked to multiple people at Immigration (in person, online, and on the phone). I finally got a good answer that everyone seemed to agree on. If you have submitted a CRC since March 2008, and you haven't left the country since submitting your check, then you don't have to submit a new CRC - provided you apply for the new visa while still in Korea. But you still need to submit transcripts and heath check again. I understand the health check every year - especially since now they have to be done at a National Medical Center and they are like 80,000 won (good way to score off the foreigners) -, but the transcripts every single year? It is not that much of a hassle, but it is soooo stupid. Anyway - 'no leave Korea, no new CRC'. I checked multiple sources (principal my school, 3 seperate people at Immigration, people on here, the E-2 laws on the Korean government website, and a recruiter friend).

rationality · Joined: 05 Jul 2007 Location: Some where in S. Korea

Well, at least they were reasonable and gave me until the end of February to send the CRC in while I am working. So they processed the paper work and will issue a visa number sometime next week. Great. End of story!

jpotter78 · Joined: 29 Oct 2009 Location: Seoul, South Korea