Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Los Angeloser]

DON'T sign it, Immigration asked me to sign it but I didn't. They wanted me to sign something to get my current E-2 visa and probably in some way to protect them next year somehow? Do you know what you're going to do next year? Do you know whether you will sign another contract to work here next year? Do you know whether you'll sign an extension to work for your current employer next year?
The Immigration office in Seoul, Omokyo is asking every American(E-2 visa holders ONLY) to sign a document to get their current E-2 visa. ISN'T THIS EXTORTION???

Immigration once asked me to sign a document saying I would drop my civil case against my former employer before they would give me an E-2 visa. I didn't sign it, the next day I went back and asked the dork to give me that in writing. He wouldn't but said "You can trust me, I'm an official." Of course I didn't trust him so I went back again the next day(what a hastle) and bribed the dork with a case of vitamin drinks. Guess what, that worked after I had to write an explanation of my situation for the dork's supervisor. Not to my surprise(actually it was at the time), I got my visa.

What is the document you might wonder? It's a simple notification or agreement that you will get an FBI check next year, but again I ask whether you know what you will be doing next year? Did anybody else from any other country have to sign this "agreement," I think not! Why do Americans? If you don't know what you'll be doing next year, DON'T sign it!

Be prepared to refuse after you do your visa run and apply for your Alien Registration Card(ARC). Just kindly tell them that you don't know what you'll be doing next year and that you've never had to get an FBI check before to work for anyone. In the states employers do this themselves and inform you what kind of crimes qualify/disqualify each and every applicant. Also tell them that you don't know anything about how to go about getting an FBI check, it's not like their "hikorea" website goes about informing us so it's safe to say nobody you talk to at Immigration will be able to tell you either.

Why would anyone go through the hastle of getting an FBI check not knowing whether a class A, B, or C misdemeanor disqualifies them or not? Both of my former employers had Class A misdemeanors(DWI's) but I guess it's okay for them to own/operate hagwons. In the states a DWI is a Class A misdemeanor, but what about a Class B "Reckless Driving" charge on your record, does that disqualify everyone? The problem is that the Korean Immigration doesn't tell ANYONE what is/isn't accepted while allowing Hagwon owners/Principals to do almost whatever they want. Finally, would you get an FBI check if your possible American employer asked you to get an FBI check WITHOUT infoming you what qualifies/disqualifies you?

Again I plead, DON'T sign it.

[Kimchieluver]

It's not extortion by any means. You might want to look that word up in the dictionary.

It is quite simple actually, if you plan on staying a second year, they don't want you to play the old excuse "I can't get it in 3 weeks". However I do agree with you, don't sign it.

[Los Angeloser]

[Kimchieluver]

[Kimchieluver]

BTW, I don't see any money changing hands here or your name being slandered by signing it. It is a pre-emptive move that will stop people that don't know what is on the FBI check from wasting their time and your time. Any criminal record will disqualify you. Once again ANY CRIMINAL RECORD WILL DISQUALIFY YOU. Teaching in Korea as a native speaker is a privildge not a right.

[jamal0000]

I agree with your sentiment that it is ridiculous that they don't clarify what would be a disqualifying factor on the CBC. Misdemeanors are petty violations compared to felonies which are the real crimes -- speeding tickets are even classified as misdemeanors.

Korean officials should make the distinction and clearly state that only felony convictions are disqualifying unless the misdemeanor was violent in nature. Furthermore, deffered adjudication, juvenile convictions, arrests without convictions, and pretrial diversion programs should not be considered.

The FBI has a program in place for anyone wanting to purchase a firearm. The firearm vendor makes an immediate call to the FBI, and they tell him one of two things: yes - the purchaser is a convicted felon, or no- the purchaser is not a convicted felon. It's fast, efficient, legitimate and it's all that is needed. Would be perfect for the immigration process.

[Los Angeloser]

I could be wrong but I'd say "Kimchielover" ISN'T American. Or, if he/she is then he/she is a teacher that doesn't have to get an FBI check b/c he/she is a Kyopo/F visa holder(or married to a Korean male/female) who is able to dodge the stupid Korean Immigration policy, if so keep dodging while can. Let's not forget that this so-called rule/policy is DISCRIMINATORY!!!

I call on the true an honest F visa holders to step up and do something about the discrimination toward E-2 visa holders(you've had about 2 + years). Or else..., if you want to continue to pretend that all F visa holders are Angels then I hope...

[Los Angeloser]

I would say that any Kyopo or F visa holder is a "FAKE" teacher...
http://populargusts.blogspot.com/2010/12/sorrows-of-fake-native-speakers.html
If he/she is not involved in the above link then he/she is still fake b/c he/she has NEVER been cleared as a non-criminal unless thy employer(under rare or unusual circumstances, which should become even more unusual next year) has requested a CRC.

[Los Angeloser]

Please, let me add other E visa holders to the fake teacher/professor list as well. If you haven't been cleared by your country as of yet then you are a FAKE or possible CRIMINAL from the past. Forget what the Korean Immigration requires we all really know what you are or could be.

[DHC]

Any non-citizen is a guest in any country where he/she does not hold citizenship. Most countries have rules and laws concerning requirements for work visas and issuance of various classes of visas. Discriminatory, not in the least considering a non-citizen has no right whatsoever to enter a country where he/she does not hold citizenship, much less work there. Persons from non-EU countries cannot work in the EU. Is this discrimination? No. Most countries have higher tuition rates for non-citizens to attend universities. Discrimination? No. Is signing a statement stating you will obtain a criminal records check before renewing your visa discrimination or extortion? No, it is not. It is a personally reasonable request. It is also perfectly reasonable to prohibit anyone with a criminal record from obtaining a work visa. Quit whining and grow up or go somewhere else.

[Morticae]

You're acting like an overzealous nut job.

The new FBI policy is a good one, and should have been the policy from the start. I'm sorry if you've be up to no good, but that isn't the case for everybody. Korea has a right to filter out whoever they want, they make their own calls. You can't act like they should operate under the same guidelines as a U.S. employer, they are a sovereign nation.

They want you to be aware that if you are going to stay here another year, they want an FBI check. They wanted proof of your understanding. Well, hopefully they shoot down your visa request next year after you plead ignorance and try to pretend you didn't understand the rules.

Getting an FBI check is EASY. You get your prints taken. Send prints + money to FBI. Wait. The only downside is the waiting time, but that doesn't make it difficult or confusing by any means.

[Junior]

[definitely maybe]

[lorenchristopher]

Dude you are so nuts about this CBC that it makes me think you are an escaped convict.

It's $18. The process is so simple an 8-year old could do it. What is the big deal?

As others said, Korean immi is covering their bases. They have been lenient about the new CBC rules by extending to 2012 for those who are renewing. They are giving you more time, and the paper (as far as I can tell) is their way of saying, "Look....we understand the FBI CBC takes a long time so we are not demanding it for 2011 renewals. However if you choose to renew again in 2012 you will have to submit the FBI check on time."

Who knows what you'll be doing next year? Who cares? What does that have to do with anything? They are saying you can't complain your way out of the deadline if you renew in 2012 because they are giving you notice (a year in advance) that you will have to submit your documents on time.

[jrwhite82]

I also plead don't sign it. Then come 2012 you will have to pack your stuff up and go home. This will lessen the number of teachers in Korea and make it easier for the rest of us who are not incapable of filling out a few simple forms.