Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ben Glickman]

US teachers working in Korea should find this information useful. We are working on getting the details, but posted below is what we know thus far, from our Korean GM. There are a lot of implications to be worked out still.
This won't affect non-US teachers as much, and as far as we know, it will be applied to both public and private schools, but EPIK is still officially deciding, although it is likely they will adopt these regulations as well.

RE: NEW Visa Regulations - Confirmed from the immigration office � July 13, 2010



The new visa regulation is in effect as of July 15th, 2010, but because so many people are confused and it was a sudden change, the immigration office decided to continue and extend the current old regulations until August 31st, 2010 for the Degree and December 31st, 2010 for the Criminal Background check.

For new teachers:

All teachers should prepare both State level check and FBI check for the visa documents.

Teachers can submit state level check for visa documents for faster processing until December 31st, 2010 and for future usage for next year, they must prepare FBI check at the same time and bring that with them to Korea. Since FBI check takes much more time, teachers should apply earlier while they are in America and they can receive the FBI check later before arriving to Korea or if possible while they are in Korea. � not sure this is possible). For teachers as of Jan. 1, 2010, they will need to get their FBI check done before they arrive.

Also, for degree, I think teachers should prepare a copy of degree notarized at Apostille (the Apostille document must be original).

New Visa Regulation

Degree � (the immigration office will accept the old regulations (original degree) until August 31st, 2010)

1) Copy of the degree notarized at Apostille

2) Degree Verification from the Korean Council for University Education � this will take 1~2 months or more sometimes � but useful for teachers who are in Korea

-- Academic Record Verification Service - Schools can get Degree verification from the Korean Council for University Education (대학교육협의회) http://english.kcue.or.kr/sub_new_03_1.html

Criminal Record Check � (the immigration office will accept the old regulation (state level check) until December 31st, 2010) �

1) Only FBI check

Renewing contract, extending contract, Alien Registration changes � for teachers who will stay more than a year or teachers who are currently in Korea

1) Teachers must submit new regulation documents as of September 1st, 2010 for Degree and as of January 1st, 2011 for FBI check.

2) Teachers who are submitting visa documents and arriving before December 31st, 2010l, and if they are going to stay in Korea only for a year � not sure but maybe they don�t need to prepare new visa regulations (spoke with the officer, but currently they don�t have confirmed new regulations for this issue)

[SW]

[naturegirl321]

What about for teachers that are just renewing?

[jcan]

[naturegirl321]

got it. Does the CBC have to be apostillised at home or can it be done here at the embassy?

[definitely maybe]

I can only assume this is happening because Immigration and/or school organizations caught wind of how easy it is get a criminal background check done in a different state if your record is less than clean.

[Ramen]

[definitely maybe]

[nstick13]

[hari seldon]

The FBI's NCIS database is a repository for all U.S. criminal records. That makes the state criminal record check completely redundant.

[naturegirl321]

[Illysook]

This is going to be a complete pain in the behind. It is my hope to renew with my public school and use 2 weeks vacation plus 2 weeks home leave to pursue a CELTA certification. If I have to go home to take care of Bull droppings, my plan is on shaky ground.

[travelnguy]

[naturegirl321]

[jimmyjames1982]

What if I'm in Korea and have my original diploma with me. How do I get it notarized in the state I graduated in? I am changing jobs but not going home after my current contract finishes. Can I send my friend a copy of my diploma and have them notarize it and then send it to be apostilled?