Korean Job Discussion Forums

[EmGen]

So I sent my resume and info in to a city's education board directly, and talked to a lady there. She has sent my resume and information in to several schools in this city, and a couple have replied back.

I think that one of the schools wants to hire me (not having to a pay a recruiter fee probably has something to do with it), but are a little unsure about how to procure a VISA for me (they are used to dealing with recruiters). I have all my documents prepared for a VISA.

Anyone familiar with a situation like this? Could I get my VISA directly by sending in my documents to some government entity (or perhaps the education board). Any advice would be appreciated.

[nathanrutledge]

Are you in the country on an E-2 now? If so, can you extend your visa? That would be the easiest option.

[EmGen]

No, I'm not. Is there another option?

[nathanrutledge]

Wait for ttompatz to answer your question.

For the visa, you need to send: Federal criminal check, notarized and apostilled; copy of your diploma, notarized and apostilled; (3) copies of the contract, signed; (2) passport sized photos (i think it's two).

The school needs to take those, along with their business license number to immigration and file it. There might be something else the school needs, I don't recall. Every time I've needed a new visa/renewal, the school gave me the papers and I just dropped them off, didn't really check.

From your side of it, that should be all you need. From their side of it, they can just call immigration and find out exactly what they need. It'd be a 2 minute phone call, if that.

If you haven't been here on an E2 before, you'll have to do an interview at the nearest consulate to where you live (which can be quite far, depending). You have to wait until you have a visa issuance number first, which takes about 2 weeks to get (from the time the papers are turned in).

Seriously though, ttompatz IS immigration. His word is law on this subject. Okay, maybe not THAT serious, but he'd know exactly what needs to be done. He's also really good about checking boards, so you'll probably see something today from him on here...

[ttompatz]

[EmGen]

OK thanks a lot, I've worked in Korea for a year prior, so I won't need to do that interview again.

[EmGen]

So I was hired (by phone, they haven't sent me a contract yet) by the Public Elementary School (no recruiter involved). This is the position I want, but I've got another GEPIK position I could take.

My question is, to what extent should I trust their ability to deal with getting me a VISA (I'm in the US right now). They currently have a GEPIK teacher there, and they said they were going to give me a similar (probably the same) contract that teacher has (they are an English oriented elementary school so they will have multiple foreigner English teachers).

Anyone dealt with this before? I know someone here said they dealt with this while in Korea, but I'm in the US, so I'm a little hesitant to pass up what amounts to a sure bet (in a GEPIK position) for this direct hire. It is a public school, however, and it's in the city where I want to work.

Any extra help is appreciated.

Edit: Also, once I sign the contract, am I pretty good to go? Anyone ever heard of public schools screwing teachers out of things (putting stuff in the contract like no apartment money, no flight payment, etc) on a direct hire? Basically, is a direct hire with a public school as safe as GEPIK hire?

[ttompatz]

[southernman]

I'd check out what sort of re-signing bonus there is and end of contract payments as well. just to be safe.

On the off chance that you will re-sign with them for another contract

[EmGen]

Thanks a lot, I just wanted to check out how legit this was, because they have only verbally hired me so far and I'm not dealing with a recruiter.

[randall020105]

I think Tompatz should have his/her own website..hehe..anyone here agree?

Daves may have some serious competition. anyway!! back to the OP's original thread.

R.