Korean Job Discussion Forums

jacksthirty · Joined: 30 Nov 2009

I currently work for GEPIK (in Gyeonggi-do) and am looking at quitting my current job and taking a job in another city, possibly Busan. Is the letter of release applicable to all of South Korea or would I have to apply for a new visa? What about the ARC? Would I keep my old one or would I have to apply for a new one?

Also, has anyone broke a GEPIK contract recently and obtained another job?

Thanks

OculisOrbis · Joined: 17 Jul 2006

Letters of release are to transfer from one employer to another. It's not restricted by geography, but it's enitrely up to your current employer whether they want to give you the LOR. They are under no obligation to do so.

If you get the LOR and have the other documents that immi requires for a transfer, you would transfer employers and extend your period of sojourn. Your ARC # would remain the same, they would just write some notations on the back of your card. If you need a new card because of lack of space or age of the card, your ID number would not change.

I really doubt GEPIK would give you an LOR so most of what I said is probably not applicable. You likely need to quit, exit korea, and apply for an entirely new visa. ....But you would still retain the same Alien ID number with a new visa.

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

^^^ what he said with additional information:

GEPIK policy is to NOT give a LOR (and they are under no legal obligation to do so).

What that means for you...

That means you need to:

=Quit (give notice so you get your deposit back).
=Leave Korea (hand in your ARC on the way out to get your visa/status of sojourn canceled).
=Return (as a tourist) and
=Begin the application process all over again (with a new set of documents).
=Your employer would then apply for a new visa confirmation number.
=You would do a visa run to Japan to get your new visa.
.

IF you manage to get a LOR AND the ability to transfer then the immigration office in your new district will take your old ARC and give you a new one (with the changed office on it as well as the changed address and, if you are smart enough to extend your status of sojourn at the same time, a new expiry date to match your new contract.).

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OculisOrbis · Joined: 17 Jul 2006

jacksthirty · Joined: 30 Nov 2009

Thanks so much! You guys are awesome!

I had a feeling that GEPIK don't hand out LOR. I think that someone might have mentioned it to me a while back, but I'll give it a go. Maybe it's at the discretion of the principal. If that's not possible then I look into the months notice (I hope to Christ it's 30 days and not 60 days).

Thanks again.

mandrews1985 · Joined: 12 Sep 2011

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

It has not been the case since February of 2013.

With the new government there has been a change back to the old policy.
You MUST have a LOR (or released by the labor board for grievous breaches of labor law by your employer) or you will not be allowed to work until your contract has expired.

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