Korean Job Discussion Forums

[grant gerstners]

This is long. The basic questions are at the bottom, but I have included a lot of material from the Korean Consulate General website in Chicago. I'm trying to be prepared for calling them Thursday (today, central time, USA)

Monday I fedex'd documents to my recruiter in South Korea, including
sealed transcript,
CBC with apostille, and
certified copy of diploma with apostille, and
two recommendations letters (originals with signatures, but no special authentication such as notarization nor apostille)
and then emailed the tracking number to my recruiter.

Wednesday afternoon (midwest USA) I received at my front door
1. a Notice of Appointment for an EPIK position
2. an EPIK contract which I am to sign.

Now, I guess the ball is in my court and I have to contact the Korean Consulate General in Chicago. The phone number on their website is 312-822-9485.

Chicago is a long day's drive, so I'm hoping I can do all this on the phone. It appears that an interview will not be necessary for me. If I have to do one I hope they will let me do it over the phone or with a web cam.

Looking at their website:

http://www.chicagoconsulate.org/en/sub03/sub03_01.php

their information is divided up into four sections, designated by Roman Numerals.

Section I (all visa categories) says:

* The following items are required for all visa categories :
1. Valid passport and 1 copy of its personal data page
2. A completed visa application
3. A passport picture (2x2, color) attached to application
4. Visa Fee : US citizen $45 (non US citizen : check with visa section)
* Money order only
- pay to : Korean Consulate General
- Cash accepted in person
5. Self-addressed, pre-paid envelope for return of the passport by mail
6. Foreign nationals with U.S. permanent residency : copy of Alien Registration Card (front & back)

Under Section II.4.ii it says

For EPIK applicant
1) Valid Passport and 1 copy of its personal data page
2) Completed visa application
3) A passport picture (2x2, color) attached to application
4) Visa Fee : $45
* Money order only
- pay to : Korean Consulate General
- Cash accepted in person
5) Notice of Appointment
6) Employment Contract
7) Self-addressed, pre-paid envelope for return of the passport by mail
* Visa interview is waved for EPIK applicants

Under section IV.2, (Additional documents for Visa status E2) it gives the category "Teaching Foreign Languages (E2)"

� Certificate of academic degree
� Employment contract
� Document regarding establishment of school or organization
� Letter of personal reference notarized
� Criminal Record (Attached Apostille)
� Applicants Health Statement
� Transcript Certified

Here, I'm wondering if this IV.2 is meant to apply to Visa applicants from the US planning to teach e.g. German, French or Spanish--but not English-- in South Korea (in which case it doesn't apply to me, because I am planning to teach English). Or, in this case of Section IV.2 does "Foreign Languages" include English?

In other words, should the documents I send to Chicago reflect
A. Section I and Section II.4.ii. ?

Or
B. Section I and Section II.4.ii AND Section IV.2 ?

Remember, the recruiter in South Korea already has my apostilled CBC, apostilled diploma copy, and original recommendation letter.

Any help appreciated. When it's all said and done, I'll post here to say what they told me to do and what I actually did (assuming it will all work out).

[shostahoosier]

Im with the GEPIK program (the visa still says EPIK though) and I didnt give them anything in section IV.2.

I had it all ready but the women at the counselate office (in Chicago) took the stuff in the first section and gave me everything else back.

You should call to double check and make sure but I remember being surprised that they didnt want some of the things I thought they "needed".

I defintely know that I didnt give them my degree (or even a copy of it).

It never hurts to be prepared though.

[grant gerstners]

Thanks for the response.

I talked with them on the phone first thing this morning (Thurs) and the woman listed off the documents in Section II.4.ii.

I'm off to get them sent today.