Korean Job Discussion Forums

bmac685 · Joined: 29 May 2010

Right now, I'm in Bangkok. Things aren't really working out here, and I'm ready for something new. I see a lot of ads looking for teachers "ASAP". I'm not picky. I would just like to be put in a decent situation where I could save a decent amount of money every month. I've been in Thailand for about 7 months, so for now the partying and traveling is pretty much out of my system. I'm more worried about saving money. Anyway, if I apply today, when is the earliest date I would be able to start working in South Korea? I'm not sure about the visa, the application process, etc. I have a BA and some teaching experience, so it shouldn't be too hard to find a job, right? If airfare and an apartment are provided, what else would be stopping me from going up there in the next week or so? Thanks.

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

Criminal Background Check back home, CRC, get it NOW!!!

Troglodyte · Joined: 06 Dec 2009

What country are you from? You might be able to get a CRC without going home. Ask at your Embassy.

Have you ever had an E2 visa before? If not technically you need the interview at a Korean consulate in your home country.

If you have all your documents ready and you've had an E2 visa before, then there are schools that will buy you a plane ticket for tomorrow, do your visa application procedure here in Korea, then send you to Japan for the actual visa.

bmac685 · Joined: 29 May 2010

I'm American. Do you know if it would be possible to get the background check done here in Bangkok? If so, do you have any idea how long it would take? I've never had an E2 visa before. I figured it would be complicated, but I've never had to do anything like that to get a visa before. Sad

blonde researcher · Posted: Sun May 30, 2010 1:57 pm Post subject:

Try and get a job with a Notice of appointment (NOA) from an office of education (EPIK), or as a first timer to Korea you will have to return to USA to get an interview at a Korean embassy when you get the visa stamp in your passport. With a NOA job you can get your visa at the Korean embassy in Bangkok and head to Korea from there

patrickk · Joined: 26 Feb 2010

yes, you should be able to have your background check handled by the u.s. embassy in bangkok. call the embassy to get more up to date details. i had it done at the u.s. consulate in chiang mai and it was simple.
they'll have someone fingerprint you (get 2 copies of prints made and sent) or they may accept prints taken by thai police which was free 3 years ago. fill out the form and pay (about $50 plus the price of prints if i remember correctly) at the embassy and they'll send it off to the fbi in the states. took about 4-6 weeks when i did it 3 years ago.
use that time to get your other papers together such as official transcripts in a sealed envelope, your original diploma and references.

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

Interesting, I didn't mean to go home, but I am glad you guys read it that way. I was wondering if I could do this in China. I'll have to visit the US Embassy.

GoldenPennies · Joined: 11 Jan 2010

"Right now, I'm in Bangkok. Things aren't really working out here, and I'm ready for something new. I see a lot of ads looking for teachers "ASAP". I'm not picky. I would just like to be put in a decent situation where I could save a decent amount of money every month. I've been in Thailand for about 7 months, so for now the partying and traveling is pretty much out of my system. I'm more worried about saving money. Anyway, if I apply today, when is the earliest date I would be able to start working in South Korea? I'm not sure about the visa, the application process, etc. I have a BA and some teaching experience, so it shouldn't be too hard to find a job, right? If airfare and an apartment are provided, what else would be stopping me from going up there in the next week or so? Thanks."

Why aren't things working out in Bangkok? Not enough work? What kind of experience do you have? I ask because I seek to do the opposite of what you are doing. I am teaching in Korea and after my contract is up I want to go to Bangkok or Phuket to teach.

Sector7G · Joined: 24 May 2008

Others have given good advice for getting the visa. Let me add just be careful as possible in choosing one of these "ASAP" jobs. Many times(not always) they need someone ASAP because the last teacher did a Midnight Run. Whether the situation warranted such an extreme measure is another matter.

Good luck.

Thedudeabides · Joined: 15 Jun 2008

Troglodyte · Joined: 06 Dec 2009

bmac685 · Joined: 29 May 2010

Thanks for the advice. I'll see if I can work something out.

GoldenPennies- I have some experience teaching oral English to university students in China. I also taught at a kindergarten in Beijing for about a month. You're probably more qualified that I am, and I was getting calls and e-mails from schools every day right before classes started here. Thailand has its problems, but overall it's an awesome place. The salaries are low, but so is the cost of living, so it shouldn't be much of a problem.

Thedudeabides- I haven't been there since before the protests started. I'll probably go back soon. I can't imagine what it must look like without Central World either.