Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Enigma]

I'm currently finishing my 3rd year at my hagwon and my boss and I recently agreed that I would stay another year. Usually he leaves it to the last minute (I live in a small city and I think he knows someone at the Immigration office) but he said that this year it's more difficult. My contract ends in mid-May so I've got about 3 months, but it sounds like this year that might not be a lot of time.
I've been looking at some other posts and on the net and I want to make sure I know exactly what I need so I can get this sorted out. I also took a look at the Hi Korea website

http://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/index.html

which is supposed to offer information to help foreigners, but I couldn't find anything relevant (it may be there, but I just couldn't find it). For example, they've got something called "Procedure of Permission for Extension of Stay" but it's dated from early 2008, well before the change in policy.

I live on the coast of Gangwondo so it's a full day trip for me to go to Seoul for the Canadian Embassy, so I want to make sure I only go if I have to.

So, stressing again that I need to do this IN Korea:

1) Criminal Record Check - what exactly do they want and what's the best way to get it? And I read that I then have to take that to the Canadian Embassy in Seoul - is that correct? Is it possible to have someone (e.g. my sister) pick up a criminal record check for me at one of the RCMP detachments in the Fraser Valley and then send it to me and I get it verified at the Canadian Embassy in Seoul? (she's got a new baby so I'm not going to have her drive all the way into Vancouver to the Korean Consulate)
2) Do I need any kind of health check again?
3) I've read that I DON'T need another university transcript - is this true?
4) I've got my original diploma from 2005. Do I have to go to the Canadian Embassy in Seoul and get this certified by them?
5) I don't have to do another personal interview do I?
6) Is there anything I'm leaving out?

Thank you very much for any tips or suggestions.

[ren546]

ttompatz is likely the best person to answer your questions, but regarding the CBC, you can get your sister to go to a local RCMP detachment and get it done for you. If the staff member working that day knows you and your sister, then they might give it directly to her (you would of course need a photocopy of 2 pieces of your ID). If not, you can grant her power of attorney, and then she can get it at any RCMP detachment, provided that she takes the PA form/certificate with her. If you go through a lawyer, it costs about $100 and you can do it from Korea.

Your sister can mail the CBC to the Korean Consulate in Vancouver to get stamped, or as you say, she can send it to you directly.

If I were you, though, I would get my fingerprints done and send away for the national check, just as a back-up (even though you don't need it). Who knows when immigration is going to change regulations again. You have 3 months, so it's worth doing while you have the time (although it might cost you some extra coin).

You should also get copies of your degree notarized and then certified, and have a few copies of your transcript on hand.

[sketcha]

Hi Enigma,

I'm kinda in the same boat, resigning at the same school for the 3rd straight year,
my school is taking care of the visa renewal at immigration -

but because of the new regulation, now I need
1. RCMP criminal record check
2. notarized and stamped copy of my degree (before I only had it notarized)

first of all, have your school contact immigration and confirm what you need to renew your E2 visa,
chances are, you need the RCMP criminal record check and the notarized and stamped (at the Korean consulate) copy of your degree

if you require more time, you can get an extension on your visa, that's what I did, my school director also signed a 'promise' with Immi that we are in the process of getting the 2

1. RCMP criminal record check
do this ASAP as it will take about 12 weeks for them to do, not including you sending the form and getting it

- you need to go to the Canadian embassy in Seoul or Busan to get the form (C-216C), or have them mail it to you
- they will also give you an instruction letter in Korean that you can show to any police office in Korea
- go to a police office to get your finger printed

you probably have to mail the form home and someone from home then mail it to the RCMP office - because you have to write down your Canadian address on the form (and that's where they'll send the check)

here's the link to the RCMP information
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cr-cj/fing-empr2-eng.htm

2. Notarized/Stamped copy of degree
this is what I'm doing:
- send original and photocopies of my degree home to my family
- along with: transcript, photocopy of my passport
- have them notarized the copies, then bring it to the Korean consulate to have them stamped

Korean immigration did not mention anything about a health check,
and I dont think you need to do another interview

but unfortunately you will need to give the Korean consulate back home a university transcript - which they will open and confirm that it's legit

hope this helps

[Enigma]

Thanks to both of you, ren546 and sketcha, for your replies. They definitely help clear up some of the uncertainty for me.

I talked to my boss today and he's going to go in and talk to the Immigration office tomorrow to find out specifically what they want from me. Hopefully they know what they're talking about and give him a checklist of exactly what they consider acceptable.