Korean Job Discussion Forums

reactionary · Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Location: korreia

I'm looking into quitting my PS job and working elsewhere in korea. i had read on this forum that SMOE won't provide letters of release for people who quit mid-contract. What, then, are my options to be eligible for work again? If I leave the country and come back after giving my notice, will I be able to get a new visa?

Seoul'n'Corea · Joined: 06 Nov 2008

abigolblackman · Joined: 06 Jun 2009

Yo reactionary, I'm in the same boat. I asked this question a week back and the response I got was that they will not provide a LOR. A run to Japan may be possible but you need all your documents and I am not sure about the legality of it. I keep wanting to call immigration but I keep get red taped...

abigolblackman

ulsanchris · Joined: 19 Jun 2003 Location: take a wild guess

Call immigration. Ask them about this. There is a number for this. You can find it on their website. It takes a little looking though. Ask them if SMOE has to give you a letter of release. I have been told by others that your employer has to give a letter of release if you ask. It makes sense that they have to give you a letter of release. However this is second hand knowledge and Korea doesn't always make sense. Like I said above call immigration and ask them. Then post their response on here.

OculisOrbis · Joined: 17 Jul 2006

No employer is required to give a letter of release unless the contract has a clause specifying that they will do so. In the case of SMOE, I believe there may be clause stating that they will NOT give an LOR - which is their choice, not yours. They are required, however, to provide a record of employment at the employee's request. That's the law.

If you're leaving SMOE early, get all your documents together cause you'll be starting the visa process from the beginning. You can do a visa run to Japan and you wont have to to a consulate interview in your home country.

abigolblackman · Joined: 06 Jun 2009

If that's the case, what about the background check. I have copies of my BC from Fall 2008, but it's almost 2010 so...

I have copies of all other required documents so that's not a problem.

abigolblackman

OculisOrbis · Joined: 17 Jul 2006

You may not be required to have a new CBC, but they could ask for one anyway. I would get one just to be safe. Depending on where youre from, you can get them quite quickly and easily while in korea. If youre Canadian, Winnipeg Police Services is prob one of the best and any Canadian can request it without fingerprints. It took me two weeks to get mine from the time I sent the request to the time it was in my hands. Also, you will need to go to your consulate in Korea to get it verified for immi.

nomad-ish · Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 7:58 pm Post subject: Re: Leaving SMOE mid-contract

OculisOrbis · Joined: 17 Jul 2006

you shouldnt have to wait the remainder of your contract at home because, although they dont have to provide an LOR, they are required to cancel visa when your employment has concluded. once your visa has been canceled, you are free to apply for a new visa.

nomad-ish · Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 8:18 pm Post subject:

ulsanchris · Joined: 19 Jun 2003 Location: take a wild guess

abigolblackman · Joined: 06 Jun 2009

SMOE dislikes giving them because they want to trap you. If you leave mid-contract, they are screwed and pressed to find another teacher. So either you both get screwed or you suffer. Win-lose for them, lose-lose for us.

SMOE knows many of it's school are less than stellar, but they have a business to run, be it dirty or clean.

abigolblackman

OculisOrbis · Joined: 17 Jul 2006