Korean Job Discussion Forums

[antsea]

I think I understood that my employer wanted to hold on to my passport yesterday. Just wanted to check what the usual situation is. I hope it's not a tactic for their security.

Wanted to know what you think before trying to communicate and causing pita...you know how it is.

[itistime]

I had mine back after they copied it
at immi. Was only there for 30 minutes, max.

Not sure who you mean 'holding' it.
Immigration or your employer?
Get your passport back if it's your
employer. Not sure why you would give it to
them to 'hold'.
Anyone else?

[Quack Addict]

My passport (and my diploma for that matter) never left my person unless it was in the hands of a immigration worker. Do not let your employer 'hold on' to any of your vital paperwork.

[Mr. BlackCat]

People need to start understanding that you should never hand over your passport to anyone other than a certified government employee and have a return date and receipt given. Your passport is the property of your government and it is illegal to just give it away willy-nilly. If you started a new job back home and on the first day your new boss who you've never met before asked you to hand over your passport would you even consider it? Then why on earth would you do the same in a foreign country. Especially in a foreign country?

I'm sorry, I don't mean to sound condescending but this topic comes up twice a month and it just boggles the mind. It's like watching your grandmother type in her credit card number into a pop up to 'verify' it's authenticity. Except by handing over your passport to a stranger you're potentially endangering all of your fellow citizens.

There is nothing your employer needs to know about your passport that a photocopy won't provide. If your employer has your passport and won't give it back tell him you will contact your embassy and tell them he has stolen your passport. Your boss will soon find out how seriously some people take this.

[jrwhite82]

I remember immigration holding onto my passport for a while. I think it was during when my ARC was being processed and it was for a couple of weeks if I recall correctly. This was back in 2007 though. So I can't remember exactly.

Do not let your employer hold onto your passport. Do not let your employer hold onto your original diploma if you have it for whatever reason.

A lot of employers will "hold onto" these documents in the same way that the Iranians "held onto" 52 Americans for a a couple of years in the 70's and 80's.

Good luck quitting if things turn bad.

[antsea]

I understand what you're saying, but my employer seems fair and noone else has had any problems so I don't want to go round causing friction if they just want to take my passport for some admin or whatever.

I will get it back today though if it's not needed for the process.

[jrwhite82]

[koreatimes]

At one school, they used my diploma as a mouse pad. I don't think they realized what they did because they didn't hand it back to me until I asked for it. They weren't trying to keep it though. I should have asked if immigration would do the same and accept my mouse pad for a diploma. Those are a lot cheaper to get

[oujibdelamere]

And without your ARC you will need your passport as identification!

Once I was out and about in Tokyo and two policemen came along and asked to see my passport. I didn't have it with me. They took me into a police box and questioned me for half an hour. Put me in a police car and drove me back to where I was staying. They came inside, I showed them my passport and they left. That was all they wanted.

It was pretty ironic because I grew up there from age 13 - 18, never carried my ARC card, never got stopped once.

[alwaysbeclosing100]

[antsea]

They are keeping it for a month until I get my ARC. Well I hear what you're saying about not doing this. My western team leader was with me, and when they said they were doing this, he politely quieted everything down and moved me out of the door before I could say anything.

I don't agree with this. I think it is a bullshit policy. However, it is a big company so probably not a decision made in my office.

So I have a choice, suck it up and get my passport back no probs in a month, or kick up a big fuss and be 'that guy' in the office, risk souring a pretty sweet situation and getting on the wrong foot with western colleagues.

So I'm gonna do 1. I'm not saying everyone in this situation should do the same, but what's the sensible choice really?

[Rutherford]

If you want to get your passport back without being confrontational, make up some reason that you need it back quickly. Something important but unrelated to your job here. For instance you need to visit the embassy to file tax paperwork due to a death in your family back home. It doesn't have to be believable just an excuse for you to demand it back quickly without making it about you not trusting them.

[Mr. BlackCat]

You handed over the only document that recognizes you as a citizen of your home country, affording you all the rights and protections implied therein, because you didn't want to upset your boss? The boss making an unreasonable and illegal request? A boss that you have no idea what he is using this extremely valuable document for? Well, who needs basic civil rights and the protection of your home country in a state that is still technically at war with an unbalanced crackpot to the north as long as some old ajoshi likes you, I guess. Good luck in Korea, man.

[Zyzyfer]

Immigration does take it while the ARC application is being processed. You should get both back at the same time.

Otherwise, like others have said, your employer has no business holding on to your passport, and if your ARC is not being processed, you need to ask for it back ASAP. Personally I think they're just claiming a month to leave a wide berth (ARCS take what, 2, 3 weeks?) but you have every right to politely question someone about it.

[RangerMcGreggor]