Korean Job Discussion Forums

[arrangingpieces]

hello all-

i'm back for some ever helpful advice from forum members.
i was one of the teachers that was dropped last minute from SMOE back in august and then took a job with YBM els in november. although the split shift schedule is horrific it is a good place. however, we have just found out that our branch is merging with 1:1 and our situation seems somewhat unstable.
SMOE has come back and offered me another position starting in march so i think i'm going to go ahead and take it. it may seem foolish but i think it's the best plan i have at the moment given that things are somewhat messy. i'm trying to learn from my past mistakes of being too loyal and in turn getting screwed.

does anyone have any idea about visa transferring? if i am able to get my documents back from YBM can i use those again? do i still have to go to japan for a visa or is it possible to transfer now? is a letter of release the best plan? i'm going to tell my boss on monday...i'm hoping it won't be ugly. he will most likely understand because he cannot give us any definite answers about the future so...

i am obviously aware the severance and pension are out of the question but that's no big deal.



thanks as always for all your help.

[outkast_3000]

Get your letter of release and the rest is downhill - in my opinion. You don't have to go to Japan or anywhere else to get a new visa, you just need to file the necessary paperwork to get a visa transfer which is far less of a headache. But it all begins with the letter of release. After that, you'll need two documents from your new employer (transfer form and reference form - they'll take care of it, you don't need to do anything about these except collect them), a copy of your new contract that is signed by you and your employer, your passport and ARC, and a passport sized photo - bring all these to the immigration office and fill in a Visa transfer form, and you'll be good. I'm assuming you've already submitted your medical check and criminal record check within the past year, so you don't need to re-submit them again now. Your new employer will probably want copies of your transcripts, diplomas, CRC, and medical check on file for their own administrative purposes, but you don't need them to renew your visa. Oh, it'll cost something like 60,000 krw, so have that with you at the immigration office. But yeah...it's straight forward once you get the letter of release, which is also unfortunately sometimes the most difficult thing to procure.

One last thing, not sure about severance on your contract, but pension is DEFINITELY not out of the question - it's your money (plus a matched contribution by your employer) - as long as your employer has been making the necessary payments into your pension plan, it is yours to keep (well, when you decide to leave the country that is).

Good luck to you.

[Wingnut]

You can't transfer your visa to another company unless you've finished more than 9 months of your first contract, but it's no problem if you�re going from private to public. Public to private or private to private means a new visa application and a visa run if it's within the first 9 months of your first year. You won't be able to transfer your visa until you're 15 days out from the commencement date of your new contract, and they also won't do it if you've already started the new contract when you make the application. The transfer process is usually painless and only takes a day or so. You should be fine.

[loyfriend]

Well, you gave him some good advice, but a few things to note.

1. I am sure he will need a new CBC and medical check. When you transfer schools they ask for that paperwork. They will also ask for new transcripts.

2nd. He did say He was dropped in August. I not sure his date of hire, but Aug - Jan only 5 months. You have to have at least six months to transfer a visa to my knwledge.

Good luck getting a letter of release. Most private hogwans won't give these.

[outkast_3000]

[outkast_3000]

[Pinished]

Honestly, I didn't read your entire post but I suggest you stay with YBM if nothing is currently wrong(expect some ups/downs). Get one year under your belt, use it for a reference if you can with S.M.O.E. next year if that's what you want to do. One of the best things about being here is if you can finish a one year contract and get the severance(required by law) and in your case one year of pension as well. Go home(or wherever) next November and return in late Feb/March with S.M.O.E. if that's what you want to do.

Just my opinion, and yes as far as I know you'll need new documents because you haven't worked here for 6 months yet?

[arrangingpieces]

thanks so much for all the replies! i have secured the new position with public school so assuming i can get this letter (which i'm pretty sure i can) i do not have to make a visa run and can simply transfer even though i'm only a few months into my contract?

if i don't switch now i'll most likely be out of a job due to merger and all our contracts will change...

[FistFace]

This is your chance.

Work there one month. Get paid. Pull a runner.

Revenge is best served cold.

[arrangingpieces]

LOR is no problem. my boss is awesome.

However, SMOE is insisting I get all my documents again but i have NO idea how to go about getting my CRC over here in Korea (i'm from the u.s.). i looked on some other threads but haven't had any success actually figuring it out...

i have a copy of my diploma (notarized) but don't know how to get the apostille over here...

i'm still hoping i can do the visa transfer since i'm going from private to public school...but i'll still apparently need all these documents again.

[blade]

[arrangingpieces]

thanks so much.
do you mind explaining how to deal with immigration? i've been given different information on the best way to contact and/or visit them.

thanks again.

[blade]

[arrangingpieces]

one last question for y'all--i really appreciate all the help thus far. i have everything in order but am wondering if i can go to any immigration office in seoul? they list many and i'm assuming i just go to the one closest to me? never had to do this here before...

thanks so much!

[blade]