Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wafflebunny]

I passed the EPIK interview this past March and was accepted to work with EPIK. After getting the documents together (which was a pain in the ass) and paying so much money to get them FedEX ($65?!?!?! ), I sent them to my recruiter in May and she sent them off to EPIK. Today, she told me that EPIK sent her a notice stating that one of my letters of recommendation did not have a signature on the original. It DID! However, the signature was in black ink making it appear as if it was a photocopy along with it's other Xerox copy. Then they mentioned something about my application or criminal background check being stapled. They didn't warn me about stapling. It's like new rules are being brought up at the very last minute from EPIK.

I'm hoping that nothing freaky happens that ruins my chances of getting there to work successfully. By God, I know that they should not do anything like that after putting me through all of this. I know immigration is strict over there. I am also paranoid that the people at EPIK may be leery about going further with my documents up because I am Black (based on the racial rumors I heard about the ESL hiring in Korea).

So can VISA documents make or break you opportunity to get there? If so, what things could cause problems in you getting there?

Just very paranoid and worried. Help.

[thegadfly]

The visa application IS the job -- if your paperwork doesn't pass to get a stamp, you do not have a job (unless you are working illegally).

There are rules and there are "rules." The "rules" are the various interpretations by immigration workers, many of which are in opposition to the actual rules...for example, when I submitted my CBC last year, it was a state-wide check -- no dice said the immi official...he wanted a LOCAL check...so I got documentation of a township check, and he accepted THAT.... It made no sense, and was probably just some kind of power play or petty-puppet show.

...just because you are doing things exactly the way they are supposed to be done does NOT mean that your paperwork will be accepted (just that it SHOULD be accepted). On the other hand, it is completely possible to submit exactly the same paperwork to a different worker and get a different response (though office politics comes into play when that happens).

Don't panic about the visa hassle -- it is almost common enough to call it normal. Its like the DMV -- expect a long wait, cranky people, and just smile and keep cool. You'll get through it eventually....

[fergalreid]

[wafflebunny]

[wafflebunny]

[PatrickGHBusan]

[fergalreid]

[wafflebunny]

[oldfatfarang]

OP. Take a deep breath. Think about the Korean visa process as pre-teaching-in-Korea training.

Despite what you may think now, the jerking around during the visa process is nothing, repeat nothing, to the daily cultural 'differences' in management, decision making, and working environment you are going to experience on your journey in Korea (if you are lucky to pass the jerk-around visa test, that is).

Smile. Good luck. It doesn't get better, you just get used to it, or you leave.

[Hardy Boy]

I might re-sign at this particular place simply to avoid having to go through the E-2 visa process again (unless I can swing a letter-of-release last minute switch over to a new gig).

[thegadfly]

Well, Wafflebunny, I am telling it like it has happened to me, and as I have heard from others. Sometimes the documents go through without a hitch (the last teacher our school hired had some documentation that the school thought would NEVER fly -- all legit, but very small-town and local stuff, not state-wide or national. It went through no problem), sometimes, perfectly good documents can be rejected because the person working that day had a fight with his wife and is feeling pissy. My boss knows the work-schedules of the most helpful folks, and is always sure to arrive during their duty times. She also sends lunch to the office the next day, after getting the visa stuff processed -- usually fried chicken or pizza. This kind of stuff SHOULD NOT have an effect on the visa process, but in my experience, it does.

Do not be disheartened -- if you have no REASON for your visa to be refused, then, eventually, it will go through...I am just trying to tell you that these "snags" are pretty common, and should not cause you to lose sleep. Think of them as a traffic jam -- a pain when you are involved in it, but quickly forgotten once you have passed it.

Good luck, and keep your chin up!

[butter_opera]

I find that the sooner the start date for the position is the more likely they are to accept anything!
I had proper documentation and am waiting on my visa number. But I had a a friend send stuff off for GEPIK and none of it was what they stated on the application. For example, none of her reference letters were on original letter head, and her back ground check was done at the local sheriffs office, though they state that it must be from a State Police department. And she is in Korea.

So at the end of the day it probably depends on the immigration officer!
But it is Korea....so pretty much anything can go!