Korean Job Discussion Forums

[meangradin]

My friend was fired from his job a few weeks ago, but he wants to stay in the country for a few months until his girlfriend is finished. It was an 11th month firing, so his visa is due to expire in a few days. He is leaving the country on Sunday for a scheduled vacation. Can he leave and then come back on a tourist visa? Does he need to hand in his arc and cancel his visa, or will the termination suffice as cancellation of the visa? Just to be clear, he doesn't want to work in Korea again, so he's not looking for an e-2 visa.

[ajuma]

I don't know the answer to your question, but you can call Immigration directly by calling 1345 or 02-1345.

[Skippy]

I think he is golden if he just hand in the ARC when leaves for the vacation. As mentioned do a double check with immigration of status. And I would also recommend you friend checking on if he can get into Korea on a visa free waiver (traveling with just passport). I think South Africans have trouble there and need actual sticker tourist visas.

Rereading your post, you mention he was fired a few weeks ago and ....

Was immigration informed? If so, did immigration give an exit order. Because if he has been hanging around and immigration knows he was fired he might be in for some hassles. In the normal course of events if a person quits or is fired. Immigration needs to be informed within 2 weeks. If lucky immigration gives I think up to 30 days from last day of work(fired) to wrap things up. Well cross your fingers and hope the bastard school did not inform immigration.

[ttompatz]

Hand in the ARC and he will get 90 days on his return (unless he is Canadian) as a tourist.

Keep the ARC and, unless it actually expires while he is abroad, he will return on the E2 and have to leave again when it expires.

.