Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Palebluedot]

Hello all!

My Korean girlfriend and I have been dating for almost two years now and are looking to return to England together next year. Has anyone been in a similar situation and been through the visa process necessary for her to move?

Any advice or personal stories would be great to hear.

[fezmond]

To live in England or just visit for a while?

As a tourist Koreans can just get a tourist visa upon arrival for 3 months I think. If she isn't going to be a student there or a tourist you're gonna be hard pressed for her to stay any decent length of time.

I am planning on moving with my wife back to the UK next year but the financial requirements are stopping us right now. I will post some links when I get home.

[Palebluedot]

Thanks fezmond. Yes we are planning to live together in England indefinitely.

We will are not married yet but are planning to marry at some point in the future and settle in England.

The visa process seems to be made easier if the couple is married. Would people agree with this?

I sympathise with your problems with the financial requirements fezmond. Not earning the sufficient amount in Korea before moving would mean that i would have to find a job in England and work for 6 months before my girlfriend could come

[optik404]

I recall an article about UK citizens not being able to bring over their foreign spouse if they don't make a certain salary rate.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2156993/New-law-demands-20-000-salary-marry-foreigner.html

[JustinC]

[hack]

Not to be rude, but what are you thinking? Your Korean girlfriend is going to be a weight around your neck anywhere outside of Korea. It's all but certain for any number of reasons that are compounded when an Asian woman moves to a Western society you two will split within 5 years and then guess who will be financially responsible for her? If you're lucky she'll want to head back home without being too much of a burden on you. If not, you will be dragged through the courts and god forbid if you have kids, the costs will just spiral.

I have seen this scenario play out time and again with teachers from not just Korea but several other countries. Once that bloom comes off the rose, the ugly thorns appear and you will be in for the horror show that will follow because you thought about the future with your wrong head.

But I'm sure you'll laugh me off as some cynical curmudgeon who doesn't have a romantic bone in his body. Or you can follow my advice and dump her now and thank me. I know what you're going to do though so save this post and then read it in 5 years. Told you so.

[cj1976]

[JustinC]

[cj1976]

[12ax7]

Are you sure you can both get a good job? If not, do you plan on furthering your studies in order to become more financial secure? I've seen many married couples get divorced after they had moved without being properly prepared.

[happiness]

[quote="JustinC"]

[daeguowl]

You can just turn up at the aiport and get a six month tourist visa. This will not allow you to work, receive any benefits or medical care, or even attend a languge school. Also, you cannot pop to Paris every six months to reset it. Once the six months are up you have to spend 6 months out of the UK before you can come back.

If you want to go there without being married, the best way is probably for her to go as a student. The visa fee is quite expensive as are the tuition fees.

With the new regulations, it is not even that easy to get a visa once you are married and it costs a fortune.

Regarding, the negative comments of others, of course some couples struggle and others live happily ever after. Living in the UK long-term is quite different to visiting for a few weeks but plenty of people are doing it.

[zpeanut]

Seeing as you both need to generate some money and do a lot of organising before going back to the UK, write a To-Do list and get it all done asap! it seems you guys have chosen to settle in the UK, so staying in Korea isn't an option anyway, right? So no point *beep*-footing about.

There are horror stories etc but everyone is the same when moving to a new country. I'm sure adjusting to Korea wasn't easy for you either. If your gf/fiancee(?) is committed, I'm sure she will be putting in maximum effort in the coming months for your future plans together. Once there, it's gonna be hard but I'm also quite sure, she'll try to fit in as much as she can. Like there are Korea-towns in countries all over the world, there are also ex-pat bars and clubs in korea, right? people are the same. We all look for something familiar and comforting every now and then - so I wouldn't be concerned about a bit of home sickness. There are plenty of couples who have successfully settled together. It all depends on how much you want it, the effort you put in and maybe a teeny, tiny bit of luck?

In a nutshell, I met my korean fiancee in Australia ten years ago, he studied and worked his butt off while he was there. We decided to come to Korea last year and it hasn't been easy either. But we've survived our first year and it's going pretty well. We had savings and he'd got himself a good job and I'm working now too. It can work out but not without a lot of effort and planning.

You might as well try and if it doesn't work out, well... you both tried.

[zpeanut]

^ wow.. my word has been censored..

it was another word for cat. Didn't know that one was rude.

[Palebluedot]

Thanks for all the responses. My girlfriend and I will marry but are trying to determine when would be the best time, as to apply for the correct and most convenient visa. Does anyone have any advice on this? We don't have the paperwork to prove living together but marrying will negate the need for that.

Earning over �20,000 doesn't worry me as that (as JustinC mentioned) is below average. However, getting the job in the first place will be tricky (like 'happiness' refered to, everyone in England has a degree).

I am confident my girlfriend will be able to fit into a Western workplace as she lived in Australia and worked there while studying. We are trying to find jobs that she could potentially do as her spoken English is very good but the job market in England is so different to Korea.

zpeanut - thanks for the motivation! I'm glad to hear things are going well with your Korean fiancee. One thing that keeps circling around in our heads is that although the process might appear daunting and taxing, we can't let it come between us. We are doing this to be together, not to be forced apart.