Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ssuprnova]

Yesterday my manager came over and told me the school needs to take care of some new legal requirements from the MoE, so he'd need my ARC. Since the school's been treating me fairly for going on two years now, and given the ministry's batsh*t requirements as of late, I placidly handed over my ARC. Then, I was asked to bring in my passport as well. That's when alarm bells started going off for me.

Has anyone heard of these new procedures? I'm in Gyeonggi, if that makes any difference. Also, I don't mean to be paranoid but I'd much rather hold on to my passport and take care of any requirements by myself.

[YTMND]

If it is a public school thing, then all they are trying to do is expedite matters. Chinese do this also at the "hagwon" level. Someone from the school will go to 2 or more places on a list of errands for that day while you teach. If nothing has to be stamped or processed, then you should get it at the end of the day or the next day that worker is back. In China, they are more liberal about these sort of things and you have to nag them more. In Korea, simply ask them when the person will be done with your passport. Get a specific time you will get it. Nag them if they don't give it back.

If you want to take care of the requirements yourself, this means taking time off during the day. You might lose a sick day or vacation day as a result of this. It doesn't seem like a problem at this stage.

If it were a hagwon though, then there is no reason why you couldn't go with someone from the office at an off time between classes or before your shift starts.

[TheUrbanMyth]

Give them a photocopy of the info page of the passport. That is likely all they need...unless something needs to be stamped or something. And that is unlikely since Immigration should be the only entity stamping stuff in your passport.

[Troglodyte]

You should have just given them a photocopy but what's done is done. If you don't get your ARC back in a few weeks, then you might want to put some pressure on them to get it back to you. Along with your health insurance booklet, you'll need to show your ARC when you go to the doctor. Banks and cell phone companies might also need (or at least want) to see it. Your ARC is your ID card now. What will you do if the cops stop you and and you're beyond the 90 days that your visa stamp is good for? (You can stay for 1 year, but the visa in your passport is only valid for 90 days - which is why you have to get the ARC.)

[Skippy]

YTMND is spot on. school likely just needs to get some paper work done. You could do it yourself, but it wold take some time and probably better Korean ability.

Sometimes a copy will do, other places will want to see the actual passport. On a side note for many of those that are new, till you get your ARC, consider keeping a copy of your passport info page in your wallet. Leaving the passport at home safe and sound.

Still do get assurances from your school. Ask for a possible time back. Say you want this back as soon as it returns. Tell them that it comes back to you - no ifs and or buts. If they lose it or keep it, they will lose you as a teacher. Be polite but stern and most people will get the message.

So if you school has treated you fine for two years, I would really not worry. If the school had asked for it near the start and did not give back, then yes. School has proved themselves have they not?

[Troglodyte]

On a related note, for anyone whose school is holding onto your ARC so that you can't run away, here's some advice. If you go to immigration, you can tell them that it's been lost or stolen and get a new one. It doesn't cost much. That way your school will be happy thinking that they have you by the balls, but really if you want to leave, you don't need it back.

[alongway]

You never give your ARC/Passport/Diploma to your employer. Not unless you don't want to see it again.
If they need you to go do some paperwork tell them you're more than happy to schedule an appropriate time to do it.

[Skippy]

[alongway]

[YTMND]

I guess I have too much fun pissing off crappy owners when they don't do things like fix problems in the apartment, give back personal documents, or communicate when a schedule has been changed.

I gladly hand out my stuff and have a ball.

Master: Why didn't you come in today on time?
Servant: I gave you my passport 1 month ago, and you haven't given it back to me.
Master: So? You have to work, that is why we are getting your ARC.
Servant: REALLY??? Ok, let's see this big ARC of yours Daddy-O.
Master: The manager has it, and she won't be in till tomorrow.
Servant: Ok, I'll "try" not to miss another class. Ta ta.

Master: There is a schedule change, we have to teach the younger kids classes earlier tomorrow.
Servant: (thinking to self, "But we have adult classes earlier.") Oh ok, I'll go to the younger kids classes tomorrow.
Master: Good servant.
(next day)
Manager: Why are you in the younger kids' classroom? You are scheduled to teach adults. They are very angry now you aren't there.
Servant: I was told to teach younger kids today.
Manager: Who told you this?
Servant: The master did. Ask him. (Watching the entertainment between the manager frantically figuring out what to do and warding off yelling adult students.)

[hogwonguy1979]

besides the stuff mentioned, Korean law REQUIRES you to either carry your passport or ARC at all times and you can be stopped and required to show them by the police just like Koreans who are required to carry their national id cards no real difference

passports are property of the issuing government and should only be turned over to government officials for visa issuance etc. If a school tries and hold it call the police and report it stolen. no legal need for schools to hold either one

[YTMND]

[TheUrbanMyth]

So you support breaking the law in a foreign country?

[YTMND]

[TheUrbanMyth]