Korean Job Discussion Forums

endo · Joined: 14 Mar 2004 Location: Seoul...my home

Hi,

I plan to start sending some resumes for a teaching position in South Korea sometime next week. I would like to get a head start and i've decided that I should get my University degree notarized as soon as possible (a requirement for VISA approval).

However, i'm not entirely sure how this process is done. I know I have to send it to the Korean embassy or consulate in my home country (Canada), but how should I do this?

Do I send my degree my mail with a note attached asking that they notorize my degree?

What exactly does notorizing a degree mean?

Can an Honorary Councul General notorize a degree?

Thanks for your help all.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

It sounds like you are a little confused.

What they want is a notorized COPY of your degree. The notorization must be done at one of their embassies or consulates.

You can send your original degree if you are comfortable with that, but I for one am not!

Unreal · Joined: 01 Jul 2004 Location: Jeollabuk-do

I'm going through the same process right now. I would suggest calling the Korean Consulate for your area which can be found here:

http://www.asia-pacific-connections.com/Korean%20Diplomatic%20Offices.htm

If you call the consulate responsible for your area, you will get the exact information needed.

I'm doing it through the Vancouver consolate. They require:

original degree
photocopies of degree (however many you want notarized. I think it was $3 each if I didn't catch the official's accent wrong)
money order to cover for notarizing
photocopy of driver's license or passport
letter to request notarization (I think contact information would be good in case something is missing, etc.)

since I'm far away from the consulate I sent it Xpresspost and put another Xpresspost envelope inside so I can get it sent quickly both ways

traciecat · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Location: en route

Perhaps one of the lifers can confirm/deny this but I understood Korean Immigration now demand your ORIGINAL degree before approving your visa. When I first went to Korea in 2000 a notarized copy was enough but when I next signed a contract in 2002 my original was required. The original was also required for the visa approval I have just received (in addition to sealed transcripts, another new requirement that I assume was to try to weed out those with fake degrees).

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

Nope a notorized copy worked for me last year, and for my job in September.

If anyone tells you that they need your original....they are lying Exclamation

For immigration a notorized copy is more than sufficient Exclamation

ladyandthetramp · Joined: 21 Nov 2003

You do not need your original degree. You only need a notarized copy. DO NOT send your original degree over!

When I went, I asked for numerous notarized copies. I had to pay $2 for each one, but it's much more convenient. The date they were notarized doesn't matter, so if you want a new contract in a year having extra copies can be useful.

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

While we're on the subject, can anyone tell me how to get a copy notarized while I'm in Korea in a way that will satisfy Immigration? I'd rather not have to mail my original all the way to a consulate in the U.S. if I can avoid it.

Unreal · Joined: 01 Jul 2004 Location: Jeollabuk-do

Actually when I went in 2002 I just sent a copy of my degree...not even notarized. I think my employer had connections in immigration.

Alyallen · Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 9:52 am Post subject:

Gollum · Joined: 04 Sep 2003 Location: Japan

My recruiter LOST my degree last year.

His name was Andrew, and he was from Haanrecruit. I was repeatedly ignored and not helped one iota in finding it. He even avoided my calls directly, because I called his coworker, who said he was right there ready to talk. But when Andrew found out who I was, he avoided talking to me.

So... if you use them, make sure you tell them you expect your degree back!

I had to go through heck to get a new one sent to me from the USA.

own_king · Joined: 17 Apr 2004 Location: here

I just got my degree notarized in Toronto last month. I only live an hour away, so I was able to go in person and the whole process took about 10 minutes. The thing is though - in order to get your degree notarized here you have to get it notarized by a notary public (lawyer) first, before the Colsulate will stamp it. Good thing I called first. Call ahead things might be different in Vancouver. I'm not sure about there.

Unreal · Joined: 01 Jul 2004 Location: Jeollabuk-do

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

A COPY DOES NEED TO BE NOTORIZED! REGARDLESS OF WHICH UNI IT IS FROM!

If you need a copy notorized here in Korea any immigration office can and will do the job free of charge. At least they didnt charge me anything for the service, but I could only get one copy notorized.

endo · Joined: 14 Mar 2004 Location: Seoul...my home

Thanks for the info everybody.

Gosp · Joined: 13 May 2004 Location: 85% There.

So let me get this straight [because the Korean Consulate's site for my area confused the hell out of me], all I need to do is send a photocopy of my degree to the nearest designated Consulate's office [Houston, TX] along with $2.00 and a postage paid envelope and that's it? What about Passport and Transcripts? Should I go ahead and send copies of them in the same envelope? Appreciate any help. Thanks in advance.