Korean Job Discussion Forums

[plato's republic]

Any further information from any Brits who've applied for an E2 post-September 1st? Specifically those who'll be working at a hagwon.

Thanks.

[debb199]

I've just been through the process and had my docs accepted by Korean immigration.

I got my Disclosure Scotland CRC and copy of degree certificate notarised by a public notary (picked one at random near the FCO in Milton Keynes) and apostilled by the FCO. I did not have my degree notarised by my university.

Hope that helps!

[plato's republic]

Thanks for posting that Debb.

[andy202]

I have just called Amanara Certified translation in Milton Keynes about this issue.

I am another E2 visa mug in Korea wanting (in my case) to transfer to another academy, without leaving the country, but needing an apostille on my degree certificate.

Amanara have advised me, quite coherently, that if I send my degree certifiacte to them with a cover letter confirming what I want and my return address, they will process it in 24 HOURS! and send it back by recorded delivery.

The costs are:

25 pounds for a verified copy of your degree certificate by a solicitor (to save spoiling your original - though this is optional)

28.80 pounds - the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's fee for apostilling that copy

40.00 pounds for Amanara's admin

15.00 pounds for return delivery by recorded mail (optional; free for standard mail, 70 pounds for Fedex/DHL).

Total cost - 108.80 pounds

It's not cheap, but the other methods available are hopelessly slow and overwhelmed with demand right now, for example, kcue.co.kr, who today advised that they are not taking new applications until December and, even then, will take 3-4 weeks to turn it around.

To me, the Amanara method sounds pretty good, but be aware that I am only passing on information at this time. I have yet to post of my degree and see what happens. I will do that tomorrow and let you know what happens.

Do you ever feel like an E2 visa is a trick invitation?

Here is a link to the relevant page of Amanara's website:

http://www.apostille-mk.co.uk/?gclid=CI3cz8_x1KQCFQoEbAodKA4TKg

[Skipperoo]

I'm not sure what the point of going through Amanara is though? If you walk around whatever city you're currently in and drop into a few solicitor's offices, one of them will be available to notarise your degree there and then (fee is usually about 25 quid). After that post it to the apostille office yourself - it will cost 6 pounds to get them to send it by express delivery, total cost being 35 quid.

25 + 35 = 60 quid for exactly the same service and no middle man to slow things down.

[morrisonhotel]

[Skipperoo]

Quite possibly as it takes literally about 2 minutes of their time, that's the price I was quoted by 4 or 5 of the solicitors in my area (Dundee) though.

[morrisonhotel]

[elliot79]

I didn't want to send my origional degree to korea and Milton Keynes will not apostille a copy, so i went to a notary public. he signed and certified my degree, my CRB form and then sent it off to to get stamped and apostilled. total cost inclduing vat and recorded deliver: �234:50

The certificates are true copies, not origionals.

yes, i was ripped off.


byt the way my apostilles are bundled together, i hope that isn't going to cause a bloody problem. each certifcate does have a stamp and signature on it, just the red apostille/seal is on a certifcate attached to my degree and CRB.

any chance of us posting our apostilles, just to know that we are all on the same page?

[plato's republic]

Elliot,

According to the FCO website, they do apostille true copies of an original certificate that have been notarised.

See here:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/what-we-do/services-we-deliver/legal-services/legalisation/faq/What-documents1/educational-documents

And according to the new Kimmi regulations, they are no longer accepting original degree certificates.

Edit: New regulations have been temporarily suspended according to some on here, so if you're in Korea, best bet is to contact Kimmi directly.

[Savant]

Haven't really followed the new E-2 visa changes closely.

Can any Brits out there educate me on the process I would need to go through to extend or renew a visa from within Korea?

As I understand it, our CBC is as normal but original degree certificates are no longer accepted?

[plato's republic]

Mods-

Any chance of making this a sticky?

[debb199]

[Savant]

[debb199]