Korean Job Discussion Forums

isisaredead · Joined: 18 May 2010

because i have one. i pointed out the difference between my recent visa and the other two E2 visas i've had before to the person at the embassy, and they just said it's the exact same thing.

so has it changed from an E2 to an E21? i did a google search and nothing came up. and now i'm freakin' out because i fly out in a few days.

thoughts?

PigeonFart · Joined: 27 Apr 2006

Don't worry. I had the same "E21" written on my Visa. I just thought it was a misprint. I had no problem when i arrived in Incheon (summer '10).

Whether it was a misprint or there really is an "E21" visa, i don't know. Hopefully someone else can shed some light on the subject. Don't worry about it anyway, you'll be fine.

isisaredead · Joined: 18 May 2010

thanks, man, i appreciate it.

Troglodyte · Joined: 06 Dec 2009

The visa that I got this year says E-2 on it.

Are you working at a PS? Maybe the 1 indicates that you're working at a PS or some other type of job. I'm a bit curious now myself.

isisaredead · Joined: 18 May 2010

nope, a hagwon.

i seriously couldn't find any info anywhere online.

blonde researcher · Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 3:44 am Post subject:

The E21 is the new name for the same visa (E2) for teachers arriving post the July 15th change of immigration rules. This visa gives you the 12 months visa + one month at the end of your visa so you are not an overstayer and have to quickly get a visa extension for a few days to a week.This will work well if you are extending a contract or organizing into a new job.
Effectively it is a 13 month visa and is written as such on it.

Troglodyte · Joined: 06 Dec 2009

That sounds nice. I hope they keep that.

I've heard though that at the end of a contract, we'll have to go back to our home country to get our documents certified at a Korean consulate (in our home countries), even if we renew a contract. But still, it's nice that we don't have to rush out of the country at the end of a contract anymore.

isisaredead · Joined: 18 May 2010

GreenFloyd · Joined: 03 May 2010

Hey guys, I had the same question when I got my visa and asked David Pennell, the EPIK coordinator. If you're planning on teaching in a Hagwon, you're fine! Otherwise, what he said may be helpful to you so I'll pass it along:

First, if your visa says E21, it is very likely that the Korean Consulate or Embassy that issued your visa made a mistake. I believe a recent policy change has reclassified E2 visas into two categories: E21 and E22. The difference is to distinguish between private hagwon teachers and public school teachers. Unfortunately, E21 is the classification for private school teachers. So, I believe you will have two options to get this corrected. First, you can go back to the Korean Consulate or Embassy you applied for your visa through and explain that you will be teaching in a public school and will subsequently need an E22 visa that is valid for one year. That might be the best option so you can make sure that it is corrected as soon as possible. However, you would still have no problem coming to Korea with an E21 visa, and you can have it corrected at Korea Immigration Service after you arrive.

Within your first 90 days in Korea, you will have to visit Korea Immigration Service anyway to apply for an Alien Registration Card. When you go to apply for this (hopefully with the help of a Korean co-teacher), you can have it switched from E21 to E22, and make sure the expiration date is fixed to make it valid for 1 year. Unfortunately, since this is a recent policy change, we have not run into this problem in the past. However, we have spoken to Immigration officials about the matter and have been assured that you will be able to have your visa switched at Korea Immigration Service after you arrive.

Second, if you come to Korea with a single-entry visa, that is no problem. You can easily obtain a multiple entry stamp at Korea Immigration Service after you arrive. You can also accomplish this when you go apply for your Alien Registration Card. The fee is roughly 50,000 Korean won. If there is even a chance you will be leaving Korea at any point during your employment you must make sure you get the multiple entry stamp on your visa. If you do not have it, your visa will be canceled as soon as you leave the country and you would be teaching illegally when you return.

I hope this is helpful, and please let me know if you still have any questions, or if you have any problems getting your visa corrected at the Korean Consulate or Embassy. Also, since we have not encountered this problem in the past, I would greatly appreciate it if you could let me know what you are able to find out from the Korean Consulate or Embassy about getting your visa changed (that is, if you want to do it before you arrive in Korea). Thank you.

Troglodyte · Joined: 06 Dec 2009

So, if someone is here on an E21 and wants to transfer to a PS, if they have a letter of release, could they still transfer and change to an E22? or will transfers now be limited to a new employer within the same category? In other words, will we still be able to transfer from a hogwan to a PS?

Anyone know why this distinction was made?