Korean Job Discussion Forums

groovyasschick64 · Joined: 05 Jan 2010

I came to Korea on December 3rd with my E-2 working visa & began teaching in a hagwon in Mapo-gu. I travelled to San Francisco on 24th Dec when on that day I realised my visa was only single entry. My employer agreed to let me go and I could come back on a tourist visa and work until I get a new visa by doing the visa hop (which I plan to do in the coming weeks) asap. Since I have returned work on 3rd Jan he will not pay me for my months salary which I am now owed, saying he will now only pay me a day rate becasue I am currently illegal and he will not pay me for my holidays that I took over the Christmas period which I was entitled to on my contract. He is also threating not to pay me at all until I get my new visa!

I am now thinking I want to leave this school (becasue of numerous other issues) and find another school to work in when I get my new visa. However is this possible??? I read somewhere that I cannot reapply for a new visa to work in another hagwon/public school until my first visa expires which will be 11 months rom now-is this so, am i stuck with this school until then? Would I also need a release letter to go?

Any help or suggestions-please!!

wesharris · Joined: 10 Oct 2008

Are you American?
If so you have a multi-entry by default.
_+_+
Wes

groovyasschick64 · Joined: 05 Jan 2010

No Irish

wesharris · Joined: 10 Oct 2008

Goto your local immi office and have it changed to multi. 25-30k won I think.
_+_+
Wes

groovyasschick64 · Joined: 05 Jan 2010

Can't do that now, by leaving for my Christmas holiday I've cancelled my visa and I'm currently on a tourist visa.

Big Mac · Joined: 17 Sep 2005

The airline actually let you get on the plane without checking to see if you had a re-entry permit? Usually they're pretty thorough about checking for things like that. All you had to do was go to the immigration office at the airport to get a permit. Would have saved you a lot of trouble. Too bad you didn't know.

blackjack · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: anyang

Too late now but why didn't you get a single re-entry at the airport?

groovyasschick64 · Joined: 05 Jan 2010

There was a bit of drama when it all unfolded. I was in Seoul immigration that day (6 hours) before my flight applying for my ARC. I had to leave my passport with them that morning to see if they could change it to multiple way visa within 6 hours. They couldn't do it so I had to get back & collect my passport & make my way to the airport. I almost missed my flight so I didn't have time to look into much else that day unfortunately.

Now I'm stuck reapplying for my visa again, is it possible to argue that I am entitled ot my full pay when I'm now illegal but was legal up until Christmas. Am I also stuck with the same school without a release letter?

I wasn't aware I could even apply for single re entry at the airport Sad

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

There's something not right about this. When I had to do this, I was stopped at the immigration desk (long before the plane) and was taken into their little office on the side. I explained my situation and that I needed a re-entry permit. It took about half an hour with a lot of hassle, but it was certainly not impossible.

Someone either didn't understand or was deliberately misleading you.

tired of LA · Joined: 06 Nov 2006 Location: Seoul

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

Agree with the above poster. You are not tied to that school in any way shape or form. Get your documents together (the ones you used to get this current job) leave the school and find another job.

Bondrock · Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Location: ^_^

I also agree. Your visa is not valid and you are working illegally. You owe the school nothing. Unfortunately, you need to start again at square one methinks.

groovyasschick64 · Joined: 05 Jan 2010

I thought my boss was being a bit shandy in Seoul immigration that day. I was never told about that option of changing it to a multiple visa in one day they said it would take up to 5 days!! I do think they may have thought that I wanted my ARC & visa changed to multiple entry in one day and my employer was there with me and obviously didn't make it clear I just wanted my visa changed.

When I went through immigration that day I was leaving, all the guy said was ' you will need another visa to re-enter the country' and I said yes I know. When I collected my passport from immigraton before boarding my flight, the lady did ask me to write a statement and sign it. The statement said 'I understand I may have future difficulties getting another working visa in korea.' Does anyone know if this be held against me also when I reapply for my new visa/ ARC?

Right now, I think I will look for another job, try get as much of my pay that I am owed out of this hagwon & get out of there. I have already requested new documents for the new visa and these should be with me in the next 2 weeks. Thanks for your help! I hope I can get a new visa with minor complications.

toadkillerdog · Joined: 11 Nov 2009 Location: Daejeon. ROK

I stupidly assumed my re-issued visa was a multi-entry one when I left the ROK years ago. After returning to the ROK immigration pulled me aside to their little room and processed a multi-entry visa for 60,000W and a 100,000W fine.

As to the OPs situation. Your boss sounds like a scumbag, move on.

groovyasschick64 · Joined: 05 Jan 2010

I can't believe you were able to get the visa changed in such a short period of time. Ah I'm mad, it would of saved me a whole lot of trouble. When I retured from the states I told immigration I was coming for a holiday only as Irish citizens don't need a visa for a holiday here & can stay for 90 days. I was surprised that they never asked to see my return flight though.

I would love to find a good SMOE job now but think I may be too late-is this true? Does anyone know a good public school or even a good hagwon with decent hours & good holidays? These are priorities!!