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is so delicious
Joined: 28 Apr 2009
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 Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 12:11 pm Post subject: Holy hell... E-2 process is a CIRCUS! HELP!!! |
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Just when I think I've taken care of anything, more issues pop up. On top of this, my school, though the job sounds promising, is not very responsive.
Okay, so I have a job. Getting the contract momentarily. I have a state-wide criminal background check notarized AND apostilled. I have my original diploma AND a certified copy which is also notarized and apostilled. I have passport photos and the rest of it... I think!
So I call the visa department at the Korean embassy in New York, and now I'm reeling. They tell me I need the visa issuance number before I can even apply for my visa. Which can only be given me by my prospective employer. Who needs all my documents (of course they were hazy about this) just to get that silly little number I need to even APPLY for it outside of Korea.
Does that mean I am expected to mail (or e-mail copies? Please??) my documents to Korea, get the visa issuance number, have them mailed back to me, and then apply for my visa? Say it ain't so!!
Also, you know that supposed rule change that took place on September 1st saying that a certified copy of your diploma will work as a substitute for the sealed transcripts?? Guess again! The visa department also told me they needed to see transcripts to grand an E-2 visa. Glad I read on the official website of Korean immigration that I didn't need to do that, when I should have taken care of it weeks ago. Unreal.
Lastly, is it true I can only get a visa if my contract says I'll be working at least 15 hours a week?
It's looking more and more like I'll just be flying to Korea on a tourist visa and working until I figure this stuff out. Then a few days in Japan, I reckon. Just looking if I'm misunderstanding something or if there's any way around this. |
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WillTurnerinVanCity
Joined: 05 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 12:35 pm Post subject: Re: Holy hell... E-2 process is a CIRCUS! HELP!!! |
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| is so delicious wrote: |
It's looking more and more like I'll just be flying to Korea on a tourist visa and working until I figure this stuff out. Then a few days in Japan, I reckon. Just looking if I'm misunderstanding something or if there's any way around this. |
There is a lot going on here but I'm just going to ask about this. Have you held an E-2 visa before?
If you haven't, I strongly recommend that you do not go to South Korea as a tourist. That will put you in a bad situation.
-Will at Footprints |
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imoscardotcom
Joined: 01 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 12:57 pm Post subject: |
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usually you will mail all your documents either to your recruiter or to your school in korea, then they will take the papers to immigration for processing, and your recruiter/school will email you a visa number. Then you fill out the visa application along with some other paper work and mail it to the korean embassy. (If you live close by to an embassy, you may have to go in for an interview. If you live close by it's easier to just go in anyway because you can get your visa processed [usually] the same day.)
hope this helps a bit  |
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Epik_Teacher
Joined: 28 Apr 2010
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 1:10 pm Post subject: |
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Sparkle on, you crazy diamond that is Korea!  |
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hellofaniceguy
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Location: On your computer screen!
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 1:10 pm Post subject: |
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| You mentioned a state check....I am under the impression that only a FBI check is acceptable. If so, more hoops for you to jump through. |
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is so delicious
Joined: 28 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 1:43 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the feedback. To one person, I've been told a state-wide CRC is okay until the rule changes go into effect starting January 1st. Who knows, though. I actually applied for my nationwide check a month ago, which means it won't get to me for probably two months.
I've been in Korea on a few E-2 visas. So I won't freak out while I wait for stuff to come around, even if it means a trip to Japan. Guess I just really have to talk to my new boss and have him get on the ball with this. |
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is so delicious
Joined: 28 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 2:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Wait... am I supposed to send my recruiter my passport in order to get my visa issuance number?? Please say no... though I assume yes, because it would make absolutely no sense... |
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kardisa
Joined: 26 Jun 2009
Location: Masan
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 3:06 pm Post subject: |
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| is so delicious wrote: |
| Wait... am I supposed to send my recruiter my passport in order to get my visa issuance number?? Please say no... though I assume yes, because it would make absolutely no sense... |
No.
Did your recruiter not send you a list of the documents you need to mail to Korea? If not, perhaps you should look into switching recruiters.
You should need to send the following to Korea:
1. Criminal check (with apostille )
2. Copy of Degree (check the new regs regarding verification and apostille)
3. Official sealed copy of transcripts - 1 or two copies
4. 2-4 passport size photos
5. Signed contract
6. Photocopy of the 1st page in your passport
7. Completed health form - see attachment
I went through this process a few months ago, so some details may have changed (like the new degree regs), but this should list all of the things you need.
After 5-10 business days of receiving the above, your recruiter will email you a Visa Issuance Number. You'll take this, your passport, and a few other documents (transcript, resume, a couple of forms) to your local Korean consulate.
The only time your passport should be out of your possession is when it's at your local consulate. Getting the visa itself only takes a few days.
Last edited by kardisa on Wed Sep 29, 2010 3:07 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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is so delicious
Joined: 28 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 3:07 pm Post subject: |
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7. Completed health form - see attachment
Where do I get this???
(This isn't a recruiter... it's a private school that's paying REALLY well and it seems like for that reason he's not really there to help me much.) |
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kardisa
Joined: 26 Jun 2009
Location: Masan
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 3:10 pm Post subject: |
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| is so delicious wrote: |
7. Completed health form - see attachment
Where do I get this???
(This isn't a recruiter... it's a private school that's paying REALLY well and it seems like for that reason he's not really there to help me much.) |
Hahah, sorry, I copied that from an email my boss sent me a few months ago.
http://www.koreaconnections.net/downloads/Health%20Statement%20(INS).pdf
That should still be a valid copy. |
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is so delicious
Joined: 28 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 3:15 pm Post subject: |
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Ha... gotta love just SAYING you're healthy even though you have to take a test proving so within 90 days. Not pointless at all...
Anyway, thanks! |
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tanklor1
Joined: 13 Jun 2006
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 3:54 pm Post subject: Re: Holy hell... E-2 process is a CIRCUS! HELP!!! |
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| is so delicious wrote: |
Just when I think I've taken care of anything, more issues pop up. On top of this, my school, though the job sounds promising, is not very responsive.
Okay, so I have a job. Getting the contract momentarily. I have a state-wide criminal background check notarized AND apostilled. I have my original diploma AND a certified copy which is also notarized and apostilled. I have passport photos and the rest of it... I think!
So I call the visa department at the Korean embassy in New York, and now I'm reeling. They tell me I need the visa issuance number before I can even apply for my visa. Which can only be given me by my prospective employer. Who needs all my documents (of course they were hazy about this) just to get that silly little number I need to even APPLY for it outside of Korea.
Does that mean I am expected to mail (or e-mail copies? Please??) my documents to Korea, get the visa issuance number, have them mailed back to me, and then apply for my visa? Say it ain't so!!
Also, you know that supposed rule change that took place on September 1st saying that a certified copy of your diploma will work as a substitute for the sealed transcripts?? Guess again! The visa department also told me they needed to see transcripts to grand an E-2 visa. Glad I read on the official website of Korean immigration that I didn't need to do that, when I should have taken care of it weeks ago. Unreal.
Lastly, is it true I can only get a visa if my contract says I'll be working at least 15 hours a week?
It's looking more and more like I'll just be flying to Korea on a tourist visa and working until I figure this stuff out. Then a few days in Japan, I reckon. Just looking if I'm misunderstanding something or if there's any way around this. |
Documents--->Fed-ex to Korea--->Visa issuance number---->Giving passport and Visa issuance number to nearest Korean consulate--->E2-Visa--->Get on plane
Total cost of everything: $100-200?
Total cost of actual research: Priceless |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 4:14 pm Post subject: Re: Holy hell... E-2 process is a CIRCUS! HELP!!! |
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| WillTurnerinVanCity wrote: |
| is so delicious wrote: |
It's looking more and more like I'll just be flying to Korea on a tourist visa and working until I figure this stuff out. Then a few days in Japan, I reckon. Just looking if I'm misunderstanding something or if there's any way around this. |
There is a lot going on here but I'm just going to ask about this. Have you held an E-2 visa before?
If you haven't, I strongly recommend that you do not go to South Korea as a tourist. That will put you in a bad situation.
-Will at Footprints |
Going to Guam isn't so bad. |
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WillTurnerinVanCity
Joined: 05 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:31 pm Post subject: Re: Holy hell... E-2 process is a CIRCUS! HELP!!! |
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| northway wrote: |
| WillTurnerinVanCity wrote: |
| is so delicious wrote: |
It's looking more and more like I'll just be flying to Korea on a tourist visa and working until I figure this stuff out. Then a few days in Japan, I reckon. Just looking if I'm misunderstanding something or if there's any way around this. |
There is a lot going on here but I'm just going to ask about this. Have you held an E-2 visa before?
If you haven't, I strongly recommend that you do not go to South Korea as a tourist. That will put you in a bad situation.
-Will at Footprints |
Going to Guam isn't so bad. |
I've heard the Guam story but I don't know many people who have actually done it. Most first time ESL teachers in South Korea don't have the funds for a trip to South Korea on their own dime, the ability to look for a job, and the ability to fly to Guam and back, I guess.
Guam would be pretty sweet though... |
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imoscardotcom
Joined: 01 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 7:24 pm Post subject: |
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| whoops...I wrote "embassy" when I should have put consulate. sorry if I further confused you!! |
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