Korean Job Discussion Forums

[drydell]

Has anyone got experience setting themselves up legally as a freelance proofreader/ English language consultant in much the same way as a privates tutor?.. I'd be interested in any F visa holders who have done this...

[Troglodyte]

The temp agencies that deal with F visa teachers sometimes have proof-reading jobs. If you don't get any better info, that might be a good place to start asking to find out some of the basics.

[PRagic]

LOADS of people do all different types of non-teaching ESL related work: test writing, proof reading, translating, financial editing, article writing for magazines and newspapers, voice recording/animation dubbing, radio show hosting/co-hosting, and TV related work just to name the ones that come to mind off the top of my head.

But PLEASE don't ask for contacts or 'ins', especially on an anonymous ESL board! The people doing these types of work are justifiably territorial as they had to pay their dues and make their own way, often creating markets for themselves as they went along. Now that competition has heated up, great coin is being made, and markets have been carved out, nobody is getting piggy backed in much anymore.

Still probably enough work to go around, though. Start out with some piecemeal work, work up to some regular projects and do a great job, and build your business from there. Best of luck to you.

[drydell]

Thanks for the responses -
Not looking for an 'in' - just wondering how you set yourself up legally as a freelancer (as in register yourself as an independent business)
Cheers

[wooden nickels]

[Old fat expat]

I've gone through the process and am now registered as a 'consultant'.

Take your wife down to the local tax office. There will be forms to fill out and you will get a tax number. You will be required to declare and pay on your income every 3 months.

The more difficult part was setting up a credit account. This was needed in my case as the large organization I was working with did not want to deal in cash and required all transactions to have a digital trace (directive from their accounting department). The credit account also required my wife and place a bit of a burden on her time wise, so be prepared for that.

Hope this helps, good luck. (re-read PRagic, good advice there).

[drydell]