Korean Job Discussion Forums

[zachmcleod]

Okay, complicated situation, please help if you know anything about this. A Korean student at my university has informed me that his mother, a professor back in Korea, is looking for an American TA for a class at a University in Seoul this summer. I would have minimal work with one class, be paid $400 a month from June to early August and be housed in a dorm at the university. My only concern is that I am now in the process of applying to GEPIK in August and there seems to be a few issues I can't figure out.

First, how will a visa process for all of this work? Would I have to get a visa for the university job and then a new one for GEPIK afterwards? It seems like there might be around 2 weeks between when the first job would end and GEPIK begins.

Second, if I remained in Korea, would GEPIK reimburse my flight from June? If not, seems that I'd be wasting a lot more money than I'd be able to make. I don't really need to save any of it, but I can't afford to spend $1000 on a job.

These are the only things I've found that would convince me not to take this position, but if there are others please let me know. I don't want to do this if it's going to be a huge headache.

-Zach

[zachmcleod]

Nobody has any idea?

[RMNC]

I would bet that you'd have to choose between a student visa for the university or the E2 visa for GEPIK. They probably wouldn't let you work at the university, either. If I were you I would go for the university thing alone.

[zachmcleod]

@RMNC, they aren't at the same time, so I don't really understand your response. The TA job would be from June to early August only and GEPIK would seem to pick up a couple weeks after that.

[ttompatz]

there is no easy solution to your problem that is legal.

The summer job required a C4 visa. The GEPIK job requires an E2.

IF your GEPIK contract includes reimbursement then you won't get paid for your flight to Korea to work at the TA position.

If your GEPIK contract has the entry allowance in place of airfare you will be fine.

You will need to do a visa run to change your C4 to an E2 (at your expense).

The other option is to enter Korea as a tourist, work the TA job then do a visa run to get your E2 for GEPIK. Again, the airfare issues are the same as above.

3rd option is to drop the TA job and you are out a potential $400 in PT earnings but your problems disappear.

.

[Illysook]

I can't imagine living in Seoul on $400.00 a month unless those dorm accommodations have a meal plan included and you have opportunities for private tutoring.

[zachmcleod]

@ttompatz, thanks for the response. It sounds like there's no real way for me to do this and not spend a ton of money.

[zachmcleod]