Korean Job Discussion Forums

MeganMHL · Joined: 16 Jun 2011 Location: Scranton, PA

I am beyond overwhelmed and frustrated. I have never taught English in Korea before and last year I applied to EPIK, but I did so through my recruiter. My FBI Clearance was through the department of Education so she requested that I get a new issue and by the time it came back, it was beyond the deadline.

I decided that instead of applying for the next semester, I would wait for my fiance to graduate from college - so that we could go together. We are applicants for the GEPIK FALL 2012 semester. We are in the process of finishing our TEFL certifications and our recruiter told us that she was looking for positions. Here is the problem...

I have an F-4 visa and I am a college graduate with a BA in Visual Art (my fiance has the same degree). We have our TEFL certification but not a teaching certification or "FULL TIME" teaching experience. My father lives in Korea and my mother lives in America (she is a white American), they are both divorced and remarried. I was born and raised in the U.S. I can go to Korea and find a job there with the help of my father, but David needs (from what I gather) an E-2 visa. If we get our marriage certificate does he still get an E-2 even though I have an F-4?

I received an email last week saying that competition is slim, and it's near impossible for her to find a position for both of us. I realize that I can go through this process without a recruiter but I don't have any experience doing this, and to be frank I am unsure how to be successful at it.

I have no idea what my next step should be, and what the laws are. Should Dave come for my first year as a dependent spouse?

NilesQ · Joined: 27 Nov 2006

In my experience, being on the ground in Korea opens up a whole new world of jobs. If I were your fiance, I would go stay with you and look for a job while there. If you're married by then, he could be a dependent spouse. If not, enroll him in the first level of a Korean language program to get a student visa, or just do a tourist visa.

If he has all his documents in hand, he probably will have a better job than you in short order. However, if it is his first E2 when he gets hired, he may have to return home for an interview at the consulate. There seems to be mixed opinion on whether or not the interviews in your home country are still manditory or not for the first E2.

If you get the Kyopo visa, the best thing to do would be to get officially married at city hall and get him on that. My friend has that visa and it is basically like citizenship for 2 years at a time. His wife is on it as a dependent and she can do whatever she wants; work, study, nothing. That would be the simplest and offer the most employment choices to your husband.

MeganMHL · Joined: 16 Jun 2011 Location: Scranton, PA

Thank you so much for not only your quick response, but your insight! I have many family members in Korea that we can stay with so living there is less of an issue than the laws of living there. I already have my F-4 visa, I got it the last time that I went to visit my father. We can get our marriage certificate before we leave.

I suppose my biggest concern is the law regarding Dave in terms of immigration in Korea. I was worried that his stay until finding placement would be grounds for some type of trouble.

We've had so many issues with recruiters that even though we are inexperienced we strongly believe that going there first, with the support of my family (culturally, socially, etc), would be our best bet. Hearing you say that this is legal and a better route for employment is reassuring.

If you need any other information about our situation, just ask because all information is helpful.

Thank you again,

Megan

NilesQ · Joined: 27 Nov 2006

If he is on your F4, I don't think he'll need an E2. Not 100% sure on that, but the general opinion is that if you can have any other visa status than E2, do it. E2s are sponsored by your employer and they basically own you. You can't change jobs or do any other work without their approval. Get him on your F4 and he can do any job he can get without being limited to ESL teaching. He could do proofreading, bikini modeling, etc...

If you have a bunch of family and connections, one of your Emos will have him set up with a bunch of private classes in their apt complex in short order!

MeganMHL · Joined: 16 Jun 2011 Location: Scranton, PA

Sorry to ask you so much information, but how do I get him on my F4 Visa?

If that is an option it sounds like a great one. I have heard craziness about the E2. Also, I like your sense of humor haha.

NilesQ · Joined: 27 Nov 2006

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

If you are married and you are on an F4 he can get either an E2 or an F1.

He CAN work on an E2.
He CANNOT work on an F1.

The recruiter is full of crap.

Use MANY recruiters until you find what you want.

.

NilesQ · Joined: 27 Nov 2006

My gyopo friend has been in Korea for 8 yrs now. He might be on permenant residency by now. That may be why his wife has the ability to work etc..