Korean Job Discussion Forums

[TheDonnasTurned21]

There was a similar complaint made recently, but I can't find the thread. I've been here six months. Made my visa application, was successful and etc etc. Went to the immigration office, with paperwork filled by my boss. Emerge from the meeting with the Visa marked for 11 months (the original 1YR having been crossed out) and an alien registration card saying I leave September 29. I should be leaving on October 29. I brought this to the bosses attention immediately and he said he would sort it out. That was November. Months passed. Seasons turned. Etc Etc.

Saw it brought up in a post recently. Got a little paranoid. Brought it up with the boss today. He told me to go to Seoul Immigration Office and sort it out. I said "would it be possible for you to ring them and enquire?". He said "go to Seoul Immigration Office and sort it out".

FYI: The issue date is 2003/10/20 and expiry date is 2004/01/20 though I was told by both the Korean Embassy in Dublin and over here that it was a temporary measure and would be rectified, which it seems to have been as I have a card saying i'm here for longer, if only for 11 months.

Now I've got time on my side to get this sorted out. All should be well. But my boss isn't being all that helpful, and I'm a little suspicious of his part in this, slippery sod that he is.

Anyone know of how to extend this contract, as a working contract, for one month, without getting shafted in the process?

It's an E2 visa by the way, but then of course it is.

[Zed]

[TheDonnasTurned21]

Yeah I just threw in that snippet about the three month thing in case it was of some relevance.


Period of sojourn
11M

It did say 1YR but that was struck through. There is a piece in the comments section about having the visa adjusted, according to a Korean co-worker. Which is obviously what I now aim to do. But how does one go about this? What form can I download off the net?

And is it good old cynicism on my part or am I being shafted??

[hellofaniceguy]

If your boss is telling you to go to immigration and sort it out...
you're not going to get your severance it seems. The boss KNOWS what is going on. You should be telling the boss to sort it out! You're the boss's guest and your school/director/owner is responsible for you!
Look at the expiration date on your alien ID card. That's when you're out of korea. The one year STARTS from the date that the embassy stamped the visa into your passport. If you are going to stay beyound that time, even a month just to make it one year for the severance, etc. then your school needs to apply for an extension. They know how to do it. You take the contract extension to immigration, they stamp the extension into your passport and ID card. Cost is 30,000 Won.

[Derrek]

Go to immigration and ask them at the window. See what they say. Tell them you're afraid of being robbed of your severence, and you want to know why it was changed.

[Shadow]

Yes, your boss is trying to weasle out of paying your return airfare, as well as your much deserved bonus. It's an old Korean trick that is used over and over again! It is always a good idea to go to immigration with someone who is Korean and knows a little about immigration laws. What you could do is if you thinking about staying in Korea another year then try to find a reputable recruiter. Make a deal with the recruiter and have him go with you to immigration to help sort out the problem. If he can help you out then it might be worthwhile to look at some of the offers he can get for you. Sorry, this is the only thing that I can think of.

[Derrek]

Please e-mail the guy from www.efl-law.com about this. He is tracking this trend, and might be able to offer some assistance. He said he needed some more concrete cases of this happening, and you might be able to help stop this in the future!