Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mellow-d]

Hi, I was wondering if any other Gangnam teachers can enlighten me on the new visa regulations for renewing our contracts. The last I heard is that we need the criminal records check and the apostilled degree to renew in 2011. I've been following the SMOE posts on this forum and it looks like these changes won't come into effect until 2012. Has anyone heard differently? I'm just about to get on the apostille thing but it's going to be a royal pain in the ass and my supervisors at the district didn't respond to my last email.

[hamsteRRiFic]

You could try emailing or calling the coordinators again. See if they can contact immigration and double-check, just in case.

If you look on the pbworks site, click on "important information for E-2 visa holders" and then scroll down to the bottom, it does give some basic guidelines. The page shows it was last edited about 3 weeks ago. The information varies according to your visa class and nationality.

My guess is that even though there are rumors of changes, the official position (of Gangnam) will be to get everything ready even if you don't end up needing it. Immigration just changes their minds too often and too arbitrarily. I believe a majority of teachers' visas expire in February, which is fast approaching. Anyway, you're definitely not alone in your concerns. It's a pain in the ass for everyone who is renewing at the end of the semester. I think we all have our fingers crossed that nothing will be made mandatory until 2012, but with immigration, you just never know until it's too late.