Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SteveSteve]

My girlfriend is on an E2 visa at a Hagwon. The Hagwon is beyond terrible. I won't name specific names but let's say it rhymes with "Blunderland". So the question is this: if she is willing to just "run"-will she have to get all new documents in order for her to get a new E2 visa at a Hagwon? (This time, much, much more research will be done, trust.) I am especially worried about the FBI check: does anyone know how to go about getting that while you are still in Korea? (citizenship is American). Any info you could give would be greatly appreciated. Trying to get out of this situation ASAP.

[PatrickGHBusan]

[SteveSteve]

Does anyone out there have experience with the new FBI background check? I think it requires fingerprints, but I don't know how one would go about getting those here...

[ttompatz]

There are 2 ways to change emloyers in Korea.

1) with the blessing of your current employer (so you can get a LOR and change jobs) - unlikely given her job description.

2) don't give notice and leave the day after payday. Catch a plane/ferry to anywhere outside of Korea, hand in your ARC as you pass through immigration at the airport (canceling the visa), return and begin the job search again.

Option 1 is easy ONLY if your employer is willing to let you go but often will cost you at least a months salary in the way of "unexpected" deductions.

Option 2 is easy (as easy as getting a new visa) but does require a full and complete set of new documents and will require a visa run again (2nd trip out of the country) to get the new visa placed into the passport.

.

[emilylovesyou]

FBI check in Korea:

Request a fingerprint card from your state. Go to a police station here and get fingerprinted. Return the card to the FBI. Wait.

[murmanjake]

[wormholes101]

Immigration Helpline with help in English: Ph: 1345.

You'd better call and check out the facts before you resign hastily.

[aaron.southkorea]

[deleted]

[aaron.southkorea]

Regarding the FBI background check, I sent away for it last week.

Fill out the form(s) here:

http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/fprequest.htm

You can get your fingerprints taken (regardless of nationality) at the ID and Pass Office at Yongsan Military Base. It's not actually on base and is next to the USO Office. Map is below:

http://affiliates.uso.org/Korea/default.cfm?contentid=346

The fingerprinting (however many copies you want) is free and they don't ask for ID or anything. The forms are the official FBI forms and you fill out the pertinent information on the card and a ROK soldier will do your fingerprints. I had 4 copies made and sent in two copies of the FBI (I guess the rejection rate of improperly taken fingerprints is high).

The CBC costs USD $18 each. Include a letter with your CBC request and that letter must specify that you need the CBC sealed and affixed with the signature of an FBI officer as you intend to submit the documents for a federal apostille through the US Department of State. See: http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/faqs.html

"9. Does the FBI provide apostilles*?

(*An apostille is a certification that a document that has been �legalized� or �authenticated� by the issuing agency through a process in which various seals are placed on the document.)

Yes. The CJIS Division will authenticate U.S. Department of Justice Order 556-73 fingerprint search results for international requests by placing the FBI seal and the signature of a division official on the results if requested at the time of submission. Documents prepared in this way may then be sent to the U.S. Department of State by the requester to obtain an apostille if necessary. This procedure became effective on January 25, 2010 and will apply only to documents finalized after that date. Requests to authenticate previously processed results will not be accepted. This procedure replaces the letter formerly provided by the CJIS Division that indicated the service was not provided. The apostille service is not provided to individuals requesting search results for Canadian immigration, as it is not required for this purpose."

Hope this helps.

[War Eagle]

[aaron.southkorea]

[War Eagle]