Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Monist]

Here's the sitch: I'm currently finishing up my BA, set to graduate at the end of the month. There's about a one-month turnaround to get my diploma in my hands, so would the consulate accept some other official proof of graduation from the university, like a notarized letter or something?

(I know this might be a common sense question, but just call me a n00b and humor me, 'kay? Thanks.)

[aweitzm1]

I believe you need your diploma.

[Darkeru]

In the case of my application for SMOE, I've sent them a current transcript, which they said was fine for the time being. I don't get my actual transcript until July and my diploma until September (after I'll leave the country) and they said it's fine. I assume there's some way around needing the actual diploma because of this, but it might still need the transcript.

[probablylauren]

I was in a similar situation.

My recruiter simply said that a Letter of Expected Graduation was all that I needed (different universities would call it different things). It was a letter saying that I'm enrolled in my degrees and that I am expected to graduate in December

As it turns out, my graduation ceremony was a day before i finalised another document I needed, so I just posted off my degree.

[Oliver]

[probablylauren]

oh I forgot about immigration.

The letter for proof of (expected) graduation was acceptable for your recruiter and SMOE. The whole recruitment process was around the September/November area, and my visa process wasn't until January.

The letter is not acceptable for immigration imo, but is okay for recruiting, you just need to post the degree afterwards, in order to get the visa

[ontheway]

It is possible to get a letter of certification of graduation of some sort from your University, get that letter notarized and apostilled and submit it in lieu of your actual diploma along with your transcripts and other documents.

There have been several reports of this process being used for hogwans, although if you go to an Immigration office unfamiliar with this process there could still be difficulties.

It doesn't hurt to try. You can always resubmit docs later with your diploma when issued if it doesn't work.

[ttompatz]

[elltotheoh]

I graduated in May but still have not received my diploma. My recruiter had me request a notarized letter from the university certifying that I had graduated, and then I had to have the letter apostilled. It seems to have worked so far -- I got my visa number a week and a half ago. I'm on my way to Atlanta on Tuesday for my E-2 interview at the consulate, hopefully I won't encounter any trouble there. My degree is also posted on the transcripts I sent the consulate last week.

[Chambertin]

Nothing is legal until you have the E-2 attached to your passport. Dont buy a plane ticket, and for the love of [your deity of choice here] dont show up in Korea until after you have the E-2 properly affixed and in your Hand.

There are many ways to start the process and hope all works out by the time your diploma really gets to the consulate. Still its not complete until you get the E-2 attached to the passport.

Dont be hopeful, and dont get fooled.
Working on the tourist visa can work, but will mess up things with your duration of stay and the contract.
Better safe than sorry, there are many jobs out there. Worth the wait to me.

[ontheway]