Korean Job Discussion Forums

[blakely]

Hi,
i'm just wondering if anyone could help me out. I have a Uni job lined up for this March, however i'd trying to approach this delicately with my Hagwon since i'll only be 7 months through my 1 yr contract. I'm hoping he takes the benefit of not having to pay my bonus + flight home in july and signs the "transfer request form" which gives permission to add another employer to my sponsored visa.

If he refuses to sign however, what advice would anyone out there have? Visa Run? Threaten to go to the labour board because i'm not receiving health care or pension benefits right now? (they duck out on that stuff)

I'd really appreciate any suggestions on this thanks everyone =)

[OculisOrbis]

The chances of you getting an LOR without strings or broken promises are about 1 in 1000. If you do hit the lottery and he gives you the letter, DO NOT TELL HIM WHERE YOU WILL BE WORKING AFTER HIS SCHOOL. He may have happily signed the letter and then even more gleefully called your new university employer to tell them lies about you - ending your need for a transfer because they retract the offer and youre left with a snickering ex-boss and no job.

There is a slim chance your employer wont be a douche, but plan on a visa run. You need to factor a minimum of 2+ weeks from the time you leave korea and cancel your visa to the time you are back and are legal to work again. You will also require a new complete set of documents.

Regardless of the transfer or visa run that you have to do - report that criminal you work for to the pension/health/tax offices. Youre not only screwing yourself by quietly doing nothing, but also the unsuspecting teachers that follow you. It can be done after you start at your new job so you wont have to worry about the revenge factor.

Again, no matter what, DO NOT LET YOUR CURRENT EMPLOYER KNOW WHAT YOUR NEXT JOB IS GOING TO BE.

[blakely]

hmm ok dually noted. This Hagwon isn't too bad, besides ducking out on national health care and offering their own franchise health care plan which basically just covers you at work + the pension duck out...they're fine and nice. They always pay on time and generally quite understanding. Please don't get the impression they are one of these nightmare schools you read in some threads. Either way I hear you on the unlikely part.

By 2 weeks are you saying I need to be out of the country for 2 weeks while this gets done? I'm not too sure on the uptodate policies yet since it seems to be changing quite frequently. And ya, I definitely wouldn't tell him about another job lined up. I would just say i'm leaving for Seoul since i'm tired of being so far away from everything and either way i'm leaving. I just need a sound way of approaching this...

[OculisOrbis]

[blakely]

wow thanks a lot man...i had no idea i had to be out of the country for the whole process. The position is for March so I got time this month to get a new record check and transcripts etc. fedex'd out here...should be ready for february...

Umm, should I even both asking for the Transfer Form Signature? If so, can they screw me any other ways? I know they will probably keep 1 months pay from me which I will need to fight for to get? I am entitled to it, even though i'm doing a visa run and breaking contract right?
cheers

[OculisOrbis]

Yes, you are entitled to be paid for every single day that you worked. Don't accept them withholding any of your pay.

A transfer can be done inside korea with an LOR. You may not even have worked long enough to do a transfer, but six months might be OK now. It used to be 9 months completed or employer goes bankrupt to transfer. Check with immi. A new visa must be acquired somewhere outside korea.

Call immi about the documents. You no longer need transcripts, but you need an apostilled NATIONAL CRC and and verified (apostilled?) copy of your degree - originals no longer accepted. Check the latest requirements for all the papers you need and the various notarizations, apostilles, stamps, ribbons and glitter that they demand.

[jrwhite82]

If you are going to need a new CRC you better step on it. Many people are waiting up to 12 weeks for their FBI's to clear.

[sara210]

If you can't get a LOR, you need to get your boss to cancel your Visa, this is difficult ground, so one way you can assure that this is done is to leave the country.

Thats the only reason you would need to leave the country. You can't apply for a new visa until your current one is expired/cancelled.

You can apply for you visa and submit all your documents, while you are in the country on a tourist Visa, then fly to Japan and get your Visa issued overnight. So it can take about 2-3 days round trip. I believe the embassay that does this is in Fukoka which you can get to by boat from Busan...but there might be more than once place in Japan that will do an overnight Visa.

With regard to the documents, you will need to get an FBI check ( I think..I am not American) and this can take up to 3 months...so I'd get moving.

If you can get your boss to transfer your visa it will be the easiest way to get everything sorted.

[blakely]

hey thanks for that, i'm canadian too so I will just get the standard record check again...my area is pretty good and can process within a week...so i guess it's a matter of cooperation with the Hagwon ....should be interesting

[Troglodyte]

Just to clarify, you don't need to be out of Korea during the application process. You just need to leave in order to cancel your current visa. You can return to Korea the same day. Once you've left, your new boss can start the procedure (whether you're here or not). When the new visa issuance number is ready, you'll need to exit again (e.g. to Japan). If you're already out of the country (e.g. in Thailand) you can just apply at the Korean embassy and return. Whether you come back to Korea during the application period or hand out somewhere else is completely up to you.