Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ncabroad]

Recently, I searched if DUIs on FBI criminal background checks keep you from teaching in Korea and found lots of guesses and misinformation. I just went through the process and wanted to relay my personal experience.

I have been working in Korea for 8 years and at the same school for 3. My first check was from my state and came up clean. My FBI check came back with a DUI and driving without a license plate (posted in the wrong place) I received in 1999 while on vacation.

I took my information to immigration and they saw I had been in Korea for 8 years without incident. The immigration official was very amicable and explained I had to: 1. Get the criminal record professionally translated and stamped. 2. Take it to my school and have the president or (hagwon) manager stamp it for approval. 3. Return to immigration where the area supervisor would have to give final approval.

The agent also explained that if at anytime one of these processes were unsuccessful I would be denied. He also stated the immigration supervisor could also deny the petition regardless. Upon completion of the guidelines I received my visa without incident and decided to post this experience for those facing similar circumstances.

I need to reitterate that I am American (so I'm not sure about any other countries), this process is for those working in Korea and reapplying for a visa. In several other forums I've been asked about newcomers and I'm sorry but I have no idea, only suggestions.

Have your record professionally translated, be upfront with your school and get them to sign off on it and be humble and understanding while communicating with immigration. I hope this helps people who have searched the same plethora of key words and postings as I without success. Good Luck!!!.

[proverbs]

you're actually very lucky. i had friends in the past that wanted to come to teach in Korea, but couldn't because they had a DUI on their record.

[ttompatz]

8 years in the country without incident and an understanding boss made all the difference in the world.

It is NOT to be compared to a newbie on a first visa application.

.

[PatrickGHBusan]

[Skippy]

thanks for the update! I think go the extra mile with translate and being patient really helped. For many people they want the short cuts and easy answers.

Good Luck in the future. Also consider seeing if you can expunge your record.

[buster brown]

I recently had a similar experience with immigration and also had a positive outcome. I've been teaching at universities or university language centers in Korea for 6 years now (also without incident) but this is the first time I've had to submit an FBI check.

I had a DUI about 20 years ago, in a state which doesn't allow DUIs to be expunged from your record. When I submitted my background check, the immigration agent was helpful and told me to write a letter explaining the circumstances of the DUI. He gave me blank paper to do it right then and there at the counter. He then told me that, because of my DUI occurring so long ago, he didn't see it as a big deal, but that the supervisor would look over my application and I would hear back from them in 1 or 2 weeks.

After a week had passed, I called to ask about the results and was put on hold for around 10 minutes. The person on the phone came back and told me that the supervisor had just (at that moment) approved my application and I could come pick up my ARC. I took that to mean that my paperwork was sitting on someone's desk and they didn't get around to it until I called to check on its status.

My requirements were different from the OP's, but we both were granted E-2 visas. I wonder if it's just the arbitrary nature of different immi officials or it's because I'm teaching at a uni while the OP is teaching at a hakwon. I didn't have to translate my background check and the school was not asked to sign off on anything. I'm curious to hear about others' experiences to see if there's a 'standard' way that immigration plans to deal with those of us with blemishes on our CBCs.

[broken76]

There is no set rule on DUI's or other various things on your record. The regulation states that violent, sexual or drug related offenses are automatic rejections while anything else is up to the immigration office to decide. In the past teachers with DUIs have been able to get Visas but from recent experience it seems that anything on a record has led to a rejection. In the long run for an immigration officer they don't want to be blamed for anything so they take the safe route of denying anyone with a criminal record.
If you have a DUI see if it can be expunged from your records. In some states they do allow it after a certain period of time has past.

[Adventurer]

There is no real rule regarding getting a DUI, but you're more likely to be accepted if you're a veteran than if you're a newbie even if you don't get it translated. It also depends on how important your employer is. If an important institution that has connections is applying for you and you have experience in Korea, you've got a good shot at it. However, if you're a newbie, you're going to go through a recruiter in many cases and most recruiters will wrongly tell you that immigration won't accept you under any circumstances, which is not true. However, a newbie is not in the system, so the newbie is taking somewhat of a bigger risk than an old-timer. It's normal that Korea will look more favorably on those with a DUI from a long time ago who have experience in Korea. A DUI is not the worst offense ever, but it is a bad offense. There's some flexiblity on the issue.

[Smithington]

I've always found it astonishing that a country of habitual law breakers would deny someone entry because of a traffic-related offence. The ajoshi with his 'denied' stamp probably ran five red lights on his way to work, and likely ran another five on his way home.

Crazy.

[nickwils]

Or just don't drink and drive?

It's against the law.

Rocket science it ain't.

[ontheway]

[forster.joe]

[Adventurer]

[swinewho]

[forster.joe]