Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Seul]

Hi, I have currently been on the same E2 for 4 years and 10 months and my contract expires Feb 28th. I start a new workplace March 1st and they are requiring that I switch to an E1, and they would like me to get that taken care of before March 1st, preferably by mid February.

I called 1345 and they said I would have to get a letter of release in order to switch to the E1 before March 1st, or that I could go on Feb 28th and just switch it over.

What are the ramifications of getting a letter of release from my current job? Doesn't it in essence mean that I didn't finish my contract? How would the dates of employment show up on a certificate of employment?

One concern I have is that I would like to switch later this year for an F2-99 based on continuous employment for over 5 years. Immigration said that the clock on the 5 years does not reset if I go from an E2 to an E1, but is that still the case if I get a letter of release?

Basically, I want to finish my contract yet be able to take care of my visa situation switching to an E1 before the start of my new job and still be able to qualify for the F2-99 visa later this year.

I especially want to get this taken care of quickly because I am a little nervous whether I will be able to get the E1. My MA is in business and I've read before it needs to be in English? I will be teaching business English and I hope that is related enough.

Not sure if that made sense. What's the best way to proceed? Thanks for your help.

[ttompatz]

For immigration purposes the clock runs on a current status of sojourn, not the class of the visa.

A LOR or change of status from E2-E1-D10-E? won't make any difference PROVIDED the status of sojourn remains continuous.

.

[Weigookin74]

[littlelisa]

It's 5 years continuous work/residence, plus some money requirements (30 mil saved up, salary requirement and I think there's a third option and you need 2 of the 3), then you need at least level 2 TOPIK. You no longer need a Korean in good standing to sponsor your visa. You also need a local background check. It's not automatic, and they could potentially turn you down for it or ask you for more stuff, but if you have all the requirements, you should be okay.

Ttom already confirmed it, but I also had it from immigration recently that a change in visa status is fine as long as it's continuous (though I didn't know D10 was also okay). Letter of release just means that your employer allows you to transfer your visa, not that you didn't finish a contract. With or without a letter of release, the clock will not reset unless you finish your contract, don't work for a while, and then start working again. Your best bet is to do this with the letter of release, it's more convenient and you can get it done already instead of waiting for your visa to end.

Good luck.

[Seul]

Thank you very much for the replies. It puts me a little more at ease. I got the letter of release and will try to go in next week and get it done with. Happy new year!