| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Bloopity Bloop
Joined: 26 Apr 2009
Location: Seoul yo
|
 Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 4:10 am Post subject: Called Immigration--IS THIS REAL?! |
 |
|
I just got off the phone with the Immigration Helpline (1345).
My situation: I currently work for SMOE, but would like to quit mid-contract to work at a Uni.
I was worried about the whole FBI CBC business because I just sent out a request and uni jobs start in March.
So I call the hotline and the operator tells me (and I have her repeat it several times for clarification), that even though I have NEVER submitted an FBI CBC (only a state-wide one), if I were to obtain a Letter of Release from my school...
I DON'T NEED TO SUBMIT A CRIMINAL CHECK OR ANYTHING AT ALL.
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!!!!!!!!!!!
I asked her if she was sure and she told me that because I had a job at a public school working under SMOE, I've already been verified by them as a "good guy" (not her words--just to paraphrase).
Has anyone heard anything to confirm this?
I asked her about 3 or 4 times and explained the entire situation.
- never submitted an FBI CBC
- been in Korea since 2009
- want to transfer schools
Her: NO PROBLEMO
Was she trolling me? Or did she misunderstand what I was telling her? I really want to believe this... but I'm having a hard time doing so. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 4:14 am Post subject: |
|
|
It is an exception to everything I have been told or encountered over the last year.
IF true, then great.
If you in fact do manage it, please PM me to let me know the particulars after the occurrence.
thanks.
. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bloopity Bloop
Joined: 26 Apr 2009
Location: Seoul yo
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 4:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
| ttompatz wrote: |
It is an exception to everything I have been told or encountered over the last year.
IF true, then great.
If you in fact do manage it, please PM me to let me know the particulars after the occurrence.
thanks.
. |
You will be the first to know. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
koreatimes
Joined: 07 Jun 2011
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 4:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
| I thought you got one pass and then next time you have to submit a whole new CBC. Or am I thinking about something else? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 3:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| koreatimes wrote: |
| I thought you got one pass and then next time you have to submit a whole new CBC. Or am I thinking about something else? |
Last year.
For those who had not already submitted the required "national" CBC and degree copy with appostille they got 1 "pass" to enable them time to get said documents and get them on file.
For those who were NOT American it was largely not relevant (since the CBC from their respective countries already was "national").
For Americans they had 2011 as a year of grace (1 "free pass") to update their documents to meet the requirements of:
i) national CBC with apostille
ii) degree copy with apostille.
For anyone who applied for a new visa AFTER Jan. 1, 2011 they already were in compliance.
For those from 2010 (or before) they got 2011 to update or leave.
The OP seems to be from the latter group but may have a "pass" based on his employment with SMOE (according to his call to Kimmi) even though his CBC was NOT national but state.
. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Rutherford
Joined: 31 Jul 2007
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 5:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| OP my advice is to go in to your local immigration office and clear this with them. Start processing your FBI check immediately just in case. I've gotten different answers from 1345 and my local immigration office before and it's the office that has final say. Last time I visited they even told me it's always best to visit the office in person rather than ask over the phone. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Malislamusrex
Joined: 01 Feb 2010
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 9:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
+1.
| Rutherford wrote: |
| OP my advice is to go in to your local immigration office and clear this with them. Start processing your FBI check immediately just in case. I've gotten different answers from 1345 and my local immigration office before and it's the office that has final say. Last time I visited they even told me it's always best to visit the office in person rather than ask over the phone. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bloopity Bloop
Joined: 26 Apr 2009
Location: Seoul yo
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 10:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Rutherford wrote: |
| OP my advice is to go in to your local immigration office and clear this with them. Start processing your FBI check immediately just in case. I've gotten different answers from 1345 and my local immigration office before and it's the office that has final say. Last time I visited they even told me it's always best to visit the office in person rather than ask over the phone. |
Sound advice.
So I just got out of the Seoul immi office in Omokgyo. AGAIN, I was given the same information. I asked a few times to make sure she understood my situation completely. Again, she said that because I work for Seoul MOE, if I want to transfer my VISA, I do NOT need an FBI check. However, she did tell me to get an apostilled diploma just to be safe. Lots of emphasis on NOT needing the FBI check though.
I wanted to ask her to see if I could somehow get it in writing but she looked like her patience was drawing thin...
Anyway, either I'm gold or THREE immi officers led me the wrong way. Should I take this gamble? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
The Floating World
Joined: 01 Oct 2011
Location: Here
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 11:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
As of Jan 1st 2010 if you hade lived in Korea for 5 years or more without having lived outside of Korea for over 3 months then you no longer have to get new transcripts, crc or medical.
I haven't had to do any of that since early 2010 and I too could not believe it and called almost every immigration office in the country to double check.
I haven't had to renew or provide any docs for my past 3 jobs now.
Note that it only counts if your last crc was a nationwide one. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bloopity Bloop
Joined: 26 Apr 2009
Location: Seoul yo
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 12:58 am Post subject: |
|
|
| The Floating World wrote: |
As of Jan 1st 2010 if you hade lived in Korea for 5 years or more without having lived outside of Korea for over 3 months then you no longer have to get new transcripts, crc or medical.
I haven't had to do any of that since early 2010 and I too could not believe it and called almost every immigration office in the country to double check.
I haven't had to renew or provide any docs for my past 3 jobs now.
Note that it only counts if your last crc was a nationwide one. |
Thing is, my last CRC was a state-wide one...
Edit: and I've only been in Korea since Fall of '09
I wonder if working for SMOE really gave me this super power.... :/ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Swampfox10mm
Joined: 24 Mar 2011
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 2:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
Op is changing to a university job.
Our university has received no requirement (that any of us have heard of) to obtain a CRC from Korea or abroad.
We're not talking about teaching children at a university (at least with most true univ. jobs). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
