Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sidius]

A few months ago, my fiancee and I have obtained teaching positions in South Korea. We applied for and received our E-2 visas (which are in our passports). A week or so before we were expected to leave for Korea our employer (at that time) told us the dreadful news that she was unable to employ us because of her financial situation. This was at the time when the H1N1 flu fears were prevalent as the parents pulling their children out from the school. Our E-2 visas were canceled so we would be able to seek future teaching positions. We did not enter Korea at any period during this time.

Fast forward two months later. We have found and secured two teaching position at another school. We submitted our documents to Korea, received a new visa issuance number, and sent our E-2 visa applications and passports to the Korean consulate in our country (Canada). A few days later, we received a call from the consulate. Again, we received bad news.

Apparently we were told that we are listed under a "restriction for entry" list for a six month period, commencing from the date when our previous E-2 Visas were canceled meaning we cannot enter Korea until the six months have elapsed. Why or how we were placed on that list - we don't know.

We were told both by the recruiter and the consulate that this we should not have been placed on such a list because our previous visas were canceled. The consulate in Canada told us when we were placed on the list and from which immigration office, but not the reason why we were on it.

Our recruiter phoned the immigration office in question. The immigration officer told him that there should not be an issue (he claimed that we are not an a list). However, the consulate insists that we are. The consulate is unable to issue us E-2 visas until our names are removed from this "restriction for entry" list.

It has been as few days and we have yet to hear anything back from the consulate. As it stands we are very weary of this situation having doubts regarding whether or not we are able to obtain E-2 visas.

We are wondering why we would be placed under such restrictions for six months. We have not done anything to cause this. This biggest kicker here is that we were issued a NEW visa issuance number. Since that is the case, why we given a new visa issuance number if we were on this "restriction for entry" list? We have violated no Korean immigration laws.

Has anyone else have heard of a similar situation? Does anyone out there have any suggestions?

Thanks!

[Troglodyte]

It's probably time to consider going to a different country to teach.

[naturegirl321]

Wait until the six months are up

Maybe try contacting your old employer

[Tigerstyleone]

Get a letter of release from your E2 sponsor and transfer it to another school