Korean Job Discussion Forums

[peachKitten713]

I'm going to try to keep this short because I guess that regardless of other things in the process that were unpleasant or took a bit more time than expected, I should just focus on the current situation.

So here is the story:
I was offered a job over a month ago and my documents were in Korea within 4 days. I eventually got the visa issuance number, and then had my visa in my passport in a week. So now it's at the point where I am ready to hop on the plane, but my school still hasn't given me my flight information. Two weeks ago, the guy I've been corresponding with told me that they would probably book my flight for that weekend. (Two weekends have come and gone...) A couple days later he gave me the email address of the person who is responsible for booking my flight. I emailed the person a couple of times over the next week but got no response.

So, last week I just called Korea in the middle of the night and ended up talking to the flight guy/manager who apologized and said 1) there must have been some miscommunication between him and the other guy because he didn't even know I'd had my visa ready and 2) he'd been out of town so hadn't seen my emails. He then told me to email him my flight departure city (which I'd already told to the other guy) and my passport info page. He replied to that email within the hour and told me they would get to work on it asap.

I was thinking... wow, what if I hadn't called?!....
I sent him another email a few days ago, but no reply yet.

Can they rescind my offer if I'm 'bothering them' too much? (Is even this post too risky?) I've been going back and forth about posting something like this for awhile because I feel it sounds rather whiny and impatient. But I finally decided to just do it so I can get my worries off my chest and see what others are thinking.
I feel like they must not want me very much since they don't seem to be in any rush to get me there. I told them before that I am ready to leave asap. Gee can someone just sit down for 20 minutes and book my flight? (<-- little rant ^.^)
I guess it hasn't been an obscenely long time or anything. So I know I'm being a tad paranoid, but I'm ready to be in Korea and this whole process has been sooo... stressful.


Anyway, point of the story/ramble (TL;DR?): I still haven't received flight information and do I have any reason to worry? How long does it usually take to be in Korea from the time you get your visa in the passport?

[ttompatz]

Sounds like you were replaced locally and since they are not "out-of-pocket" for anything yet they are in to rush to buy a ticket.

If you are American your visa won't expire for a year and with the visa in your passport you can't take another job in Korea so they can wait till they need you or just let you blow in the wind.

(if you are not American then the visa expires in 90 days and you can try again but you will need new documents to do it)

.

[Kepler]

You aren't being whiny or impatient. If I were in your situation I'd figure it's not going to happen. Koreans can be very uncommunicative and indirect if there is bad news.

[War Eagle]

Last week was the biggest holiday week of the year in Korea. People have other things going on. If it doesn't get resolved in the next couple of days, then start to worry.

[IPayInCash]

Ah the old "I was out of town and didnt get your email excuse."

Youre a new teacher. They KNOW what they need to do. Agreed with ttompatz, they hired someone else locally and are keeping you on the hook as insurance. It happened to me. But I hadnt gotten the confirmation number so I was lucky. Wow youre screwed if youre from the States Im sorry about that. Just hope they come through. Scumbag move on their part.

[actionjackson]

[beentheredonethat777]

[

[peachKitten713]

Wow... To everyone who posted, thank you for your insight.
Luckily I got an extra set of my documents, but that CBC will only be valid until October I think.... :/

However, I certainly hope that I won't have to use them and that they truly just have been busy. Hopefully I will hear something within the next couple of days, otherwise I will call Korea again and see if I can get some answers.

I will try to keep my head up and hopefully I will be in Korea soon! I still welcome your comments and suggestions!

[ghostrider]

Your extra set of documents may be useless since you can't apply for another visa number until after the final entry date on your current visa. Good luck.

[War Eagle]

If you get screwed, ask the school for a letter of release and find another employer.

[peachKitten713]

@ghost rider, I was more thinking along the lines of using them to find employment in a different country, like Japan or China. Since I'm American, I do think I'd have to wait one year. But on that subject, I was wondering (as War Eagle seems to hint at), what if they release me and I find another job in Korea? Then would it take less time than a year?

Well hopefully, it's as War Eagle said earlier and they've just been busy with the holiday week and stuff. I really hope I won't have to use the documents or try to find another job. Thanks again for all of your comments and please keep them coming!

[ttompatz]

[sparkles98356]

Sorry to hear about your situation. I had something kind of similar happen to me, except I was silly enough to book the flight believing that I would get it reimbursed. The day before I was meant to fly the school told my recruiter that they couldn't afford to hire another foreign teacher.

They did provide me with a letter of release to transfer my visa which meant that I hopped on the plane over, stayed with a friend and looked for another job. I was lucky enough to have one within 10 days. It's a job which I like, is secure and is in Seoul (I was meant to be in Paju).

Perhaps ask them outright if they are still planning on hiring you? If not, badger them for a letter of release so you can look for another job if you're really set on coming to Korea? If not, look elsewhere and enjoy

Good luck!

[IPayInCash]

[Ranman]