Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Brobert2]

Long-time lurker, first time poster (please be gentle). I just graduated with my BA and am taking the CELTA course next month, and while I have no particular preference on where I'd like to work, Korea seems like the best place to start.

What I'd like to know but haven't been able to find information on is how long the whole process takes. If I accept a job offer, how long does it take for all the legal formalities to be taken care of? If, say, I signed a contract on August 1, by when could I reasonably expect to start working (legally)?

Thanks greatly for sharing your wisdom with a first-timer.

[fugitive chicken]

It depends on the job you get. If you get a job at a hogwan, then it could be right away or a month from then. Generally though it depends on when you can get your paperwork sent in. You need a notarized and apostilled State Criminal Background Check, and depending on the state your in, that could take anywhere between 3 days to 6 weeks. That is what usually takes the longest and what slows people down in heading over here. The sooner you get your paper work sent in, the sooner you can work.

If you are sure you want to work right away, get the CBC done now so you don't have to worry about the length of time it takes to come in once your contract is signed.

[ttompatz]

[magnolialove]

My case (& my husband)- we had all our documents on hand (which is the key to making the process fast), went through several different recruiters, one found us some ASAP positions, we said OK. Then they expressed hard copies of contracts already signed by them to us along with NOA, meaning we didn't have to do a visa interview. Dropped our passports off at consulate on a Thursday, picked them up the following Monday, and we were on a plane 4 days later. From job offer to getting on the plane-- just over 2 weeks. They let us bring the contracts with us and we signed when we got there. If they really like you they will work to get you there crazy-fast like that. Keep in mind though that we started contacting recruiters probably 2-3 months before we got the offer that we accepted.

Fyi, we both have public school positions, not hogwans.

[Hotpants]

For a school needing someone asap, then they can get you a visa issuance number within 2 weeks - although in my experience, I've always got it within 1 week. After that, allow up to a week to get the visa and arrive in Korea.

However, this is assuming you have all your docs ready - if not, then the visa process will take much much longer.

[Brobert2]

Thanks for the info, the one thing I would like to clear up is the criminal background check. I'm a US citizen, and as I understand it from what I've read in the past, a state-wide criminal check is acceptable for South Korea. Is it correct that I would not need a nation-wide, FBI issued document for this purpose?

[PastorYoon]