Korean Job Discussion Forums

Gerraldinho · Joined: 12 Jan 2010

Hello folks. I've been reading Dave's for a while now, and while there seems to be a fair amount of discussion about what to do if you are fired, I haven't seen much on how to voluntarily quit.

I though maybe there could be a larger thread on this subject here.

As for myself, though I don't have any real horror story to compare with what I've read on this forum, I am considering quitting. However I am concerned about how to make the transition if I can find another job in Korea. I am on the E-2 visa (still good for some time) and by some accounts I will have to move back to my home country to apply for another visa before I can change employers. Is this the case? It seems immensely inconvenient. Also, what kind of legal termination paperwork do I need to receive from my current employer? Are there any other points of importance?

Thanks

spc525 · Joined: 12 Aug 2009 Location: Seoul, Korea

If your last day is at least 6 months after your first day that is listed on your ARC, then you can have your school write a letter of release for you. You take the letter of release, arc, passport, new contract, and official business paperwork from your new school to immigration, pay 60,000 won for the transfer and you are all set. You don't need new documents and don't need to leave the country.

It's fairly easy.

Gerraldinho · Joined: 12 Jan 2010

spc525 · Joined: 12 Aug 2009 Location: Seoul, Korea

your arc should say the date you entered korea for the first time, after you received your visa. so 6 months from then, not when you received your arc.

if its before 6 months, you need to get your visa cancelled. usually someone from your school needs to go with you to immigration to get it cancelled.

if your school doesn't cancel your visa, i believe you can leave the country and turn in your arc and tell immigration that you aren't coming back and to cancel your visa. then you can return and apply for new work shortly thereafter.

but if before 6 months, you need all new documents no matter what.

Gerraldinho · Joined: 12 Jan 2010

spc525 · Joined: 12 Aug 2009 Location: Seoul, Korea

im wrong about that actually. i think it is the date that was specified in your contract, your start date, that was given to immigration. that is how they figure the 6 months.

Gerraldinho · Joined: 12 Jan 2010

Doesn't seem to be that either. Maybe it's just something they made up or an issuance date? It is pretty close to when I got it. Anyway, thanks for the input. It's good to have a better idea of my options.

blade · Joined: 30 Jun 2007

Unless the rule have been changed recently you generally can't transfer a visa to a Hagwan if you haven't worked 10 months of your contract. In this case you need to go to immigration present them with your LOR and then wait for your exit order.
On the other hand if you plan on transferring to a public school then the 10 month rules does not apply. In this case just bring immigration a signed contract, letter of appointment from new school, copy of business registration etc and you should be able to transfer easily enough.

Public schools generally will need a copy of the following documents to process your job application: A copy of your original CBC, one page essay on why you want to work for EPIK, GEPIK, SMOE etc, two letters of reference, Korean CBC (available at any police station), original diploma, exam transcripts and a copy of the health check you already used to get your alien registration card.

Gerraldinho · Joined: 12 Jan 2010

There seems to be some conflicting information regarding the time. 6 months vs 10.

This thread http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=5924&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15 suggests 9 months.

Is there a particular source for this information?

It appears that breaking contract is difficult. Perhaps reasonably so.

spc525 · Joined: 12 Aug 2009 Location: Seoul, Korea

I know from experience that it is now 6 months. The rule changed as of January 1st 2010. I was just at immigration Friday, and they confirmed it.

lifeinkorea · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: somewhere in China

I am being told 6 months too now. One recruiter in particular seems to have a good understanding of new rules. I decided not to try it, but it looks like we can now. Perhaps, it is up to immigration if we can go to a hagwon job. Going to a public school shouldn't be a problem.

If you want to get out of your contract, you might want to express that you would like to live in a different part of Korea to your current school. They need to give you a letter of release. Offer to try to find another teacher later on if they initially say no.