Korean Job Discussion Forums

[True_Blue]

Long story short I ended up at a really bad hagwon. They screwed me on housing, pension, medical etc.

I gave notice as per my contract and was assured I'd get a release letter. During my notice period I found a great PS position. I paid back the airfare, paid last month's apt fees etc. Then 4 days before my last day the director told me he changed his mind and no release letter. He also told me it's my last day.

I went to immigration to ask to cancel my visa and be issued an exit order. They told me I can't cancel without my employer and that there is no such thing as an exit order. I've read on here many times that I should be able to do this.

I went to the main Seoul Immigration in Mokdong.

Any advice? Anyone had this happen? The PS job won't wait much longer, and my former hagwon isn't helping.

[djsmnc]

Work in Japan or China

[caribmon]

immi told me you can just leave, turn in ARC, and when you do that they cancel the visa. I am waiting for a new visa to be processed based on this info. I will let you know how it goes.

[drama_addict]

[Oliver]

I thought you could cancel and get an exit order without your employer?

TTompatz?

[moosehead]

your best bet is to get yourself fired - then you are automatically released - try handing them the release letter and demanding they sign it, insist, refuse to teach, to do anything, see if you can get yourself fired.

just remember they still have to verify with immi that they fired you.

it's true if you pull a runner your visa will be cancelled but it's also true that it can very well hamper you getting a new job - the ps one included.

immi may decide you need to wait out the length of your contract before issuing a new E2.

your options are limited. remember, it's always better to get fired than to quit - ALWAYS.

and fyi, for future reference, a hakwon that screws you over in any sense of the word is very unlikely to ever give a release letter.

good luck.

[True_Blue]

Yesterday was my last day at the job. So getting fired isn't an option, though I wish I tried earlier.

Immigration refused to cancel my visa. I repeated numerous times I wanted an exit order but they said there is no such thing. They also wouldn't tell me my last day in Korea.

So frustrated. I was really hoping to just do a quick run to Japan.

[Oliver]

True Blue,

I hope that Ttompaz replies with some advice.

He has said on here that it is possible to cancel the Visa and get an Exit Order from immigration, on your own.

I dont know if he is talking from experience, or just knowledge of immigration procedures.

Best,

Ollie

[Ramen]

take a boat ride out to fuckioka, japan. as you are leaving, cancel your visa by turning in your arc to k-immi.

return back to Korea as a tourist.

get your docs together and do a visa run for your new school.

[questionmark]

I just spoke to Immigration (02 1345).

Basically, the LOR allows you to transfer from a hagwon to a public school position (if you have worked at least 6 months) without having to leave Korea.

In your case, even without the LOR the employer or a representative needs to go with you to Immigration to cancel your visa.

An immigration employee will stamp the back of your ARC with the date you need to leave Korea (usually 30 days). Sometimes extensions can be granted.

When you leave Korea, you can reapply for new positions, but will need required application documents again: original diploma, sealed transcript and crb.

If you can get those documents to the school you're interested in before leaving Korea (and they have decided to hire you and can get a visa application number for you in time), you could cancel your visa when you depart Korea (airport, ferry terminal), apply for a new visa at a Korean consulate outside the country and return to Korea with your new E-2 and start work.

From Busan, you could take a ferry over one day and return the next day with your teaching visa.

See: http://www.kangsantravel.com/index.asp.

[Oliver]