Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Sylph2011]

I am reading a ton of feedback that the apartment conditions are not good. I don't require above-modest accomodations, but I do have trouble sleeping and I am only comfortable in a clean living space.

Is it worth is for me to fly myself there and search for jobs and apartments myself? I want to live in Seoul.

I was originally going through a recruiter, but my visa process became a mess and I have to wait and start over. Could I enter as a tourist and later do the E2 visa entry interview in Japan?
Wouldn't it benefit the school not to pay a recruiting fee?

[CentralCali]

Have you worked in Korea before on an E-2 visa?

[ttompatz]

[RMNC]

These days, one should probably never try to find work and stuff in Korea itself. Maybe in past days when jobs were plentiful and the visa process was easier, but now? Nope.

[lorenchristopher]

This is what I did, back in 2008. It was possible then for a first time E-2 visa applicant and it is still possible now, despite what other people say.

You do not need to have an interview at the Korean Consulate in your home country for your first time E-2 visa application! You can get your original 4-year degree verified at the Korean Education Agency and then just fly to Japan (or another country with a Korean embassy) for a visa run.

That being said, I would only recommend doing this if you have extra cash saved up to spend while looking for a job, and for your visa run. You will be out of work for at least a month. Come WITH your Criminal Background check document and transcripts and everything you need.

When you find a decent job that you're happy with, sign the contract, have them send all you crap to immigration, then hang out in Thailand or somewhere until you get your E-2 verification number. Then go to the Korean embassy there and get the visa and come back to Korea.

It can be done, but you should have enough money saved up. Also, you will have a hard time with employers thinking they can't hire you as a first time applicant. Many schools think it will be impossible and will tell you that you need to go back to your home country, they are wrong though. Trying to communicate this with them may be a major pain.

In a nutshell: come with all your documents ready, patience, and enough money.

[interestedinhanguk]

Going along with Lorenchristopher..
Many schools don't rent the apartment until you've signed the contract. So, by the time you see it, it will be too late.

[ED209]

Most apartments here are smaller than back home. If you find a school you're happy to work for ask to talk to the teacher you'll be replacing. Ask them about the apartment and local area and perhaps also for some photos.

Make sure your employer(not just your recruiter, they'll say you'll be staying in the Blue House if it gets you to sign) understands your concerns. Generally the more rural or the smaller the city the better of you'll be. Hagwons are easier to negotiate with on accommodation than public school, though hagwons offer a whole world of other problems.

If you plan on been here for a few years you can eventually save up and rent your own.

[ttompatz]

[Swampfox10mm]

Try to find out what year the place was built.