Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bharville]

I sent all my paperwork in about a month ago.

State background check with Apostille
Notarized copy of Degree
Contract
Passport Photos
Health Form
Photocopy of Passport
Resume
Transcripts

My recruiter never told me that I needed to have an apostille for the copy of my degree, so I had to take off of work and make a special trip to the state capital for that coveted sticker. I don't see the point seeing as they have a copy of a degree as well as transcripts, but who am I to question immigration's policies? The lady in the office smiled, stapled the apostille paper to the copy of my degree, and sent me on my way.

Five days later my recruiter calls to tell me that she has my form and expresses concern that immigration may reject my background check because, unlike my degree copy, my background check doesn't have its apostille stapled to the form.



I'll play the waiting the game and see what happens. I do have a federal background check en route to DC at this moment so that it can be authenticated. I went ahead and applied for both a federal and state background check, since beginning Jan 1st, 2011, immigration will be requiring those. But if something as minor as the aforementioned really does cause me to be rejected, maybe I'll just go to China.

[ttompatz]

Without the apostille on the CRC it will not be accepted by immigration.

Make sure you get an apostille on your FBI check too.

China is always an option and the paperwork is simple compared to Korea but there is still the paperwork to be done if you want a work visa anywhere.

If you think Korea is a pain in the butt, you should see what people have to go through to get a work visa for the USA. That is a paperwork nightmare.

.

[winterfall]

Are you asking for advice or is this just a gripe post? I'm not trying to be snippy. But everyone teaching in Korea has gone through the same thing and every time you change jobs you've gotta do it all over again. Though IMO you should change recruiters, doesn't sound like this one knows what he / she is doing / isn't organized. Its a good sign you'll end up with a crap position later

[bharville]

I'm sure the US is probably the worst when it comes to paperwork. It's a hassle to do everything, even the mundane tasks like signing employment documents to reapplying for a SS Card.

I did send an apostille with it, but my recruiter seems to think that since I didn't staple the sheet with the apostille to the actual background check, immigration might become confused. I don't see what the issue is, but then again, I'm not a government worker.

Edit: It's a gripe. Just felt like sharing it.

I would like to visit China at some point. I've lived with a Chinese family in San Francisco for a while, they were immigrants from Shanghai, and I did develop an extreme respect and love for Chinese culture. I would like to try Korea first though. I can't really say why, but I have been somewhat fascinated with Korea.

[Big Mac]

If you sent the apostille with it and the only problem is that it is not stapled to the sheet, then why don't you ask your recruiter to staple it for you? Problem solved.

[sulperman]

Things were 50 times easier even just 3 years ago. If you had a degree and transcripts sitting at home in your bedroom you could apply and have a job two days later and be on your way to Korea a few days after that. Or you could just fly here on your own dime and find work. Ah, progress.

[bharville]

[Big Mac]

Have you suggested it to your recruiter?

Common sense does not prevail in Korea. They might not think of something as simple as that, believe it or not.

[imoscardotcom]

it is weird that the apostille wasn't stapled to the cbc in the first place. I know that taking the staple out invalidates the document. The document is never supposed to be separated from the apostille. but if it was never stapled in the first place...I'd just ask the recruiter to go ahead and do it.

[bharville]

[djg11002323]

The hoop-jumping does not end even after you are here. I have been working here since March 2010. Ready to get the ball rolling on contract extension and now have to get FBI check and copy of degree authenticated. FBI check, OK I can understand that, everyone else has to have a national CBC. The copy of degree thing is a bit strange considering just 7 months ago they had sealed copies of my transcripts and my original diploma. In the end though it is what it is and I am an alien. Enjoy Korea I sure do!

[northway]

[Junior]

[bharville]

Very true. While I understand that it's their country and their rules, it's frustrating to know that all that work and time spent with the background check and apostille may be invalidated because someone forgot to staple a document. If anything, it�s a mistake to learn from. Had I known that an apostille had to be stapled to the document, I�d corrected this problem before I FedEx�d the forms.

If only things were that simple. Sigh.

[Hotwire]

Wow op, things have changed.

i'm not trying to show off or nothing but back in 2003 even when my visa app number (back in the days of the blue piece of paper) showed up 2 days late - the recruiter gave the immi team a box of donuts and some scotch and b4 I knew it I was in Japan getting that new visa.

Times be a changing Bob, ol pal...