Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bgotseoul]

I have searched for this topic in advance but only found one thread from 2012 and it did not answer my questions. Thank you for any help!

I am a Canadian awaiting my E2 Visa issuance confirmation number for a position starting in February 2017. However, I would like to do a Winter camp before my year-long commitment, and I have permission letter from my employer allowing me to do so.

My problem is I probably probably won't have my Visa issuance number before the 28th of December due to holidays at the Consulate, and most camp jobs start or have training on the 29th or 30th of December (for example I have an in in-person interview in Korea for a camp on the 29th of December).

I was wondering if I can enter the country on my E2 early (lets say on the 29th of December) and then just add a camp permit to the Visa number once there.

If not, is my only option is to enter on a tourist visa (nothing required in advance as a Canadian), find a camp job, then visa run and enter back with the E2 with the added camp permit? Can I even obtain a tourist Visa if I already have an future E2 Visa?

I have never taught or been to Korea and I would really appreciate any advice or help.

(ADDITIONAL INFO)

I have somewhere I can stay before I am set up in my apartment in February.
I am hoping to get the Visa issuance number before Christmas, making my travelling a little less tight to find a camp.

Thank you!

[denverdeath]

Seems like the short answer to ur question is what u wanna do (additional work that ur current employer allows) cannot be done until ur actually working for said employer. I think there are ways u can do a camp b4hand, but cant remember how. Def NOT on a tourist visa. Any1 else?

[PRagic]

Can your camp sponsor a visa? Your E2 with your future employer won't kick in until your contract begins. Getting permission from them wasn't necessary, and it's not surprising they said go for it considering that they have no say in the matter.

Ttompatz is the go-to poster for this type of question. My take on it is that you can't do the camp unless they can sponsor a short term visa for you.

[denverdeath]

Looks like you need a C4 visa...

http://www.seoulesl.com/teachinkorea/camp-visa-c4.asp

...through the school holding the camp, not your future E-2 sponsor.

[ThingsComeAround]

I have experienced that- entering early on an E2 visa. What happened to me is they just counted that time as when the visa starts.

For example:
School contract starts March 1
I enter Feb 15
Visa starts Feb 15

Immigration does not check your contract. They don't care. Arriving a month early to work for someone else could raise flags.