Korean Job Discussion Forums

[greatunknown]

This is to apply for a private teachers license and not for immigration purposes,

The Ministry of Education has requested a finger print based RCMP background check. I am having this taken care of by a company that guaranteed to have it back to me in 6-8 weeks for a fairly hefty price. They have now asked if I need it stamped by the Korean consulate in Canada for an extra fee. My wife called the MoE and she got a very confused answer. At first they didn't seem to understand what she was talking about.. Then they told her it must be "apostilled" which is impossible for a Canadian document.

Basicly, we feel like they told her "Might as well.. couldn't hurt... maybe your embassy can stamp it but umm... we really don't know".

If they DO require the stamp, is there an alternative to sending it to the consulate in Canada for this? The Channeler wants $200 for this service which is highway robbery. I suppose I could send it there myself once it arrives in Korea but that would be time consuming and costly as well.

I am really hoping I can get this "stamp" that "might be" required taken care of in an afternoon here in korea

Sorry for the rambling message but I'm typing this up while my students write a test in sort of a hurry.

[talentedcrayon]

The RCMP Criminal Record check with fingerprints was the primary reason I backed out of a contract last year and decided not to come to Korea at all.

I was told I needed a check with fingerprints. The RCMP couldn't give me one with fingerprints unless I provided a letter from the consulate (its a policy). The consulate angrily refused to give me a letter and accused me of lying to them. I offered to phone the RCMP on my phone so they could hear the information first hand. The consulate refused and continued to angrily tell me it was my problem, not theirs. I was treated so poorly by the consulate that I refuse to go back there and deal with the two ladies again(Vancouver).

The only thing I would change about my own behavior is that after 10 minutes of trying to find a solution, but receiving only abuse in return, I laughed at the supervisor, told her I could get a better paying job in China, and I walked out of the consulate.

Later my friend phoned the consulate and they admitted they were wrong. Turns out its true, the RCMP doesn't do checks with finger prints.

I feel for you OP.

My recommendation is just to give up on Korea and move on. It isn't worth dealing with the nonsense.

P.S. I got a better paying job in China.

[greatunknown]

[talentedcrayon]

You are probably going to have to accept that doing dumb things for bureaucratic reasons is just part of the cost of doing business in Korea...

My guess is you can't get it 'apostilled' in Korea. They are probably referring to the $4 stamp the Korean consulate puts on the document to certify it's real. But, in order for them to apostile it, you need to provide a notarized copy along with the original... which is another $40.

[greatunknown]