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Pablo
Joined: 15 Dec 2011
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 Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 9:24 am Post subject: Newbie: What should my arrival priorities be? |
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Hello
I am arriving in Korea soon to start teaching at a hagwon. I have taught in Japan and Thailand, but not in Korea. Can anyone offer advice or information about what tasks I should prioritize when I hit the ground? For example:
1) Do I need to politely lean on the hagwon to promptly sign me up for national health insurance, pension, and an alien registration card (ARC), or are these usually taken care of without polite nudging from the teacher?
2) How can I confirm if insurance and pension have been started honestly and correctly?
3) How do I process my finances until my ARC comes through and I can open a bank account? I mean, do I just stash cash? How does a school pay me until I can open a bank account?
4) I will have about a week in country (staying with friends) before actually arriving at my school. Are there any practical tasks that I can/should get taken care of ahead of time during this week while I still have some unscheduled time?
Thank you for any advice. I would like to get practicalities taken care of as soon and as efficiently as possible, since there will be so much demanding my attention in the beginning. I appreciate any guidance.
Pablo |
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toby99
Joined: 28 Aug 2009
Location: Dong-Incheon-by-the-sea, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 1:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Airport - subway to itaewon- 3 ally pub- saddle up! |
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Died By Bear
Joined: 13 Jul 2010
Location: On the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 2:29 pm Post subject: |
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| toby99 wrote: |
| Airport - subway to itaewon- 3 ally pub- saddle up! |
Ride em in, ride em out RAWHIIIIDE! |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 3:30 pm Post subject: Re: Newbie: What should my arrival priorities be? |
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| Pablo wrote: |
Hello
I am arriving in Korea soon to start teaching at a hagwon. I have taught in Japan and Thailand, but not in Korea. Can anyone offer advice or information about what tasks I should prioritize when I hit the ground? For example:
1) Do I need to politely lean on the hagwon to promptly sign me up for national health insurance, pension, and an alien registration card (ARC), or are these usually taken care of without polite nudging from the teacher?
2) How can I confirm if insurance and pension have been started honestly and correctly?
3) How do I process my finances until my ARC comes through and I can open a bank account? I mean, do I just stash cash? How does a school pay me until I can open a bank account?
4) I will have about a week in country (staying with friends) before actually arriving at my school. Are there any practical tasks that I can/should get taken care of ahead of time during this week while I still have some unscheduled time?
Thank you for any advice. I would like to get practicalities taken care of as soon and as efficiently as possible, since there will be so much demanding my attention in the beginning. I appreciate any guidance.
Pablo |
1. Some hakwons will do this without nudging. However many (most?) will not. Be aware however that you require an ARC first in order to sign up for pension/insurance. Registration should take no more than a couple of days IF you have your visa in your passport already. Just go down to Immigration with the necessary paperwork and Bob's your uncle so as to speak. However actually RECEIVING the physical ARC can take as long as 45 days (according to some Immigration offices). Oh yes and being polite about it (but firm) will also help.
2. You will have to speak with the relevant authorities at the local offices.
3. It depends. When I worked at hakwons (more than 6 years ago) I was always paid in cash. However this may have changed or may not be applicable in your situation. However I'm sure you can work something out with the school. So you will have to request a meeting with the director/HR person to iron the specifics out. If immediate cash flow is a concern I strongly suggest taking care of this ASAP.
4. I'd go down to the area ahead of time and spend a couple of days exploring. Look for grocery stores, gyms(if that's your thing) and other places in the area so you have some idea of where to go and what to do. This is helpful not only to you but also to your co-teachers (so you don't have to bother them with too many mundane questions). Makes the working atmosphere a little easier. Might also consider meeting your boss and getting the registration for the ARC out of the way as well...up to you though.
Hope this helps. Good luck! |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 4:08 pm Post subject: Re: Newbie: What should my arrival priorities be? |
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| Pablo wrote: |
Hello
I am arriving in Korea soon to start teaching at a hagwon. I have taught in Japan and Thailand, but not in Korea. Can anyone offer advice or information about what tasks I should prioritize when I hit the ground? For example:
1) Do I need to politely lean on the hagwon to promptly sign me up for national health insurance, pension, and an alien registration card (ARC), or are these usually taken care of without polite nudging from the teacher?
2) How can I confirm if insurance and pension have been started honestly and correctly?
3) How do I process my finances until my ARC comes through and I can open a bank account? I mean, do I just stash cash? How does a school pay me until I can open a bank account?
4) I will have about a week in country (staying with friends) before actually arriving at my school. Are there any practical tasks that I can/should get taken care of ahead of time during this week while I still have some unscheduled time?
Thank you for any advice. I would like to get practicalities taken care of as soon and as efficiently as possible, since there will be so much demanding my attention in the beginning. I appreciate any guidance.
Pablo |
1) NOTHING happens till you get your ARC.
Getting the ARC is YOUR responsibility. It requires that you have a medical and must be completed within 90 days of arrival.
2) For NHIC medical, if you are properly enrolled, you will receive a booklet from them showing your coverage. NPS can be confirmed much later (they have 90 days to enroll you and the 1st payments may not happen until the next fiscal quarter (contributions submitted quarterly).
3) You can open a bank account without an ARC. It may be restricted to over-the-counter service until you have your ARC. Your salary should be direct deposited to it. Your employer should help you open your 1st account (the one they use for payday).
4) no.
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Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 4:19 pm Post subject: |
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| Also, I suggest after opening your bank account to open a second one. On payday, always transfer most of your money to this one via online banking. In Korea, if people have your banking information, they can go into your bank account and take out money without your knowledge or permission. In Canada, you have to actually provide them with written permision but not here. It's something to consider long term in case you run afoul of your boss. (Don't let your boss know of this second account and don't give your work info to the second bank.) |
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peacemaker
Joined: 19 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 4:40 pm Post subject: |
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| Weigookin74 wrote: |
| In Korea, if people have your banking information, they can go into your bank account and take out money without your knowledge or permission. |
No. |
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young_clinton
Joined: 09 Sep 2009
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 4:45 pm Post subject: |
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| Asking for the locality of the nearest stores and the nearest bus station and how to get to Seoul, if you're not in Seoul from your coteacher. |
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Swampfox10mm
Joined: 24 Mar 2011
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 4:46 pm Post subject: |
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| Weigookin74 wrote: |
| Also, I suggest after opening your bank account to open a second one. On payday, always transfer most of your money to this one via online banking. In Korea, if people have your banking information, they can go into your bank account and take out money without your knowledge or permission. In Canada, you have to actually provide them with written permision but not here. It's something to consider long term in case you run afoul of your boss. (Don't let your boss know of this second account and don't give your work info to the second bank.) |
This may sound strange, but it is good advice. |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 5:36 pm Post subject: |
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| Swampfox10mm wrote: |
| Weigookin74 wrote: |
| Also, I suggest after opening your bank account to open a second one. On payday, always transfer most of your money to this one via online banking. In Korea, if people have your banking information, they can go into your bank account and take out money without your knowledge or permission. In Canada, you have to actually provide them with written permision but not here. It's something to consider long term in case you run afoul of your boss. (Don't let your boss know of this second account and don't give your work info to the second bank.) |
This may sound strange, but it is good advice. |
No. It is wrong advice. They can take out fees that you agreed to in advance (like paying bills or school lunch)...but they need to provide receipts. |
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koreatimes
Joined: 07 Jun 2011
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 6:24 pm Post subject: |
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| It may be restricted to over-the-counter service until you have your ARC. |
I would not settle for over the counter agreements. I was able to get a KEB account with just my passport which allows me to use the ATM card in China. In fact, they would do nothing for me with the ARC card. They insisted I show them a passport, which was with the travel agency processing a visa with the Chinese consulate. They accepted a scan I had of ONLY the front page of the passport. |
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Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 7:59 pm Post subject: |
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| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| Swampfox10mm wrote: |
| Weigookin74 wrote: |
| Also, I suggest after opening your bank account to open a second one. On payday, always transfer most of your money to this one via online banking. In Korea, if people have your banking information, they can go into your bank account and take out money without your knowledge or permission. In Canada, you have to actually provide them with written permision but not here. It's something to consider long term in case you run afoul of your boss. (Don't let your boss know of this second account and don't give your work info to the second bank.) |
This may sound strange, but it is good advice. |
No. It is wrong advice. They can take out fees that you agreed to in advance (like paying bills or school lunch)...but they need to provide receipts. |
One of my friend's ex Korean wives ran a hogwan. She went and took money out of the foriegn teacher's bank account. My friend was astonished by this as was I. Also, my school started taking money out of my bank account for school lunches. I never gave them authorization nor did I sign any form for it. I had assumed I was getting free lunches until about 3 months into the school year. No one told me anything. The school just went in and took it out, no legal signature needed. (I change schools every so often and many had not charged me for school lunch unless they told me upfront and I signed something.) |
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FDNY
Joined: 27 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 9:01 pm Post subject: |
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PRIORITY 1: 3 Alley
PRIORITY 2: Hook up with some WAY skinny and HAWT K-Girl. |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 9:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Weigookin74 wrote: |
| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| Swampfox10mm wrote: |
| Weigookin74 wrote: |
| Also, I suggest after opening your bank account to open a second one. On payday, always transfer most of your money to this one via online banking. In Korea, if people have your banking information, they can go into your bank account and take out money without your knowledge or permission. In Canada, you have to actually provide them with written permision but not here. It's something to consider long term in case you run afoul of your boss. (Don't let your boss know of this second account and don't give your work info to the second bank.) |
This may sound strange, but it is good advice. |
No. It is wrong advice. They can take out fees that you agreed to in advance (like paying bills or school lunch)...but they need to provide receipts. |
One of my friend's ex Korean wives ran a hogwan. 1. She went and took money out of the foriegn teacher's bank account. My friend was astonished by this as was I. Also, my school started taking money out of my bank account for school lunches. I never gave them authorization nor did I sign any form for it. I had assumed I was getting free lunches until about 3 months into the school year. No one told me anything. The school just went in and took it out, no legal signature needed. (I change schools every so often and many had not charged me for school lunch unless they told me upfront and I signed something.)
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1. Did she help him set that one up?
2. So it's absolutely not possible it could have been included in any thing you did sign? Everything was 100% English? And as far as lunch deductions go usually they deduct at source before transferring the money. Why would they send it and then deduct the money?
Seriously if they can deduct money from your account what would stop someone from clearing it out and then denying all knowledge?
Why haven't there been any reports of a unscrupulous hakwon boss stealing all the money at year's end and claiming he doesn't know what happened to it? |
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Captain Corea
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 1:01 am Post subject: |
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And 74, what did you or your friend do about it? I've heard about people illegally trying to access bank funds in the West too, but usually people go to the bank manager and the police over it.
I presume you went to the bank manager and had the money refunded and went to the police to report the crime? |
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