Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sneale]

Hey I am running into a HUGE problem... my boyfriend and I are planning on going to South Korea to teach and have recieved two good job positions through our job placement, however my boyfriend doesn't have his diploma yet because he finished his final credit this summer (in June).

The University of Toronto is now saying he can't get his diploma until November 15th, the graduation ceremony date. Because of this he can't get his VISA until early December, we want/need to leave way before then. We are told the Korean consulate will only accept the original document, no letters or transcripts from the university!

Has anyone ever had a problem like this or have any advice? He's talked to about 20 different people at the university and we are getting the run around from all of them!!! Sucks to have paid $30,000 for an education and then can't get the job you want because the school doesn't want to take the time to help you out!!!

Thanks!!!

[CustomX]

I hope I dont run into this problem as well. I just graduated 3 weeks ago, yet I wont receive my actual diploma until November. My University has a website where you can look up graduates and when they received their degree, but I doubt I can get a Visa that way.

[sneale]

You might want to look into ASAP...I've heard it's not as big a problem at small schools, but the big ones don't like to make exceptions...gives more work to someone I guess!!! Hopefully you'll have better luck!!!!!

[kprrok]

The obvious answer to this is to come over, teach for the 2 months or so on a tourist visa, then with the diploma, get an E-2 VISA and be legal.

KPRROK

[EmilyM]

Hey there, I can speak directly from experience. My boyfriend and I just went through this exact same situation. We both got positions for last January however because i finished my degree in December the school would not issue me a degree until the May convocation. So my boyfriend left and I was not able to go.

The school in Korea that hired me tried 3 times to get me through Immigration with my transcripts AND a letter of confirmation from the University that i had finished all credits. However Immigration here is sticking to this new policy of degree only. They refused my Dean's letter 3 times and told me to apply again after i had my degree in hand. So 6 months later i finally arrived in Korea. Immigration told my boss that due to increasing numbers of forged documents they are accepting ONLY actual degrees, nothing else. This is relatively new i think.

It really really sucks and I understand what you are going through so if you want to send me a private message for more info or any questions feel free!!
Good luck with whatever you decide on doing

~Emily

[canuckistan]

To the OP, there's nothing stopping your boyfriend from accompanying you and being here on a 6-month tourist visa (assuming he is Canadian) and living with you while you work. Getting his actual degree is only a couple of months away; perhaps a family member could express mail that to you once it's been released?
I would also suggest that you both get notarized copies of your degrees (at the closest Korean consulate) as recruiters and bosses are notorious for keeping/losing originals. Getting new originals from your university is a pain, and costs money.
It's well worth the small amount of money to get notarized copies. Immigration in Seoul has always accepted mine and if you're out of a recognized university and your copies have been notarized by the Korean consul, there shouldn't be a problem with immigration accepting those as valid. I'd give the notarized copies a go first before I handed over my original degree to any boss.
Bringing a bunch of official transcripts could also serve you well.

[rapier]

[paperbag princess]

my friend just came here, without a degree. he got the registrar's office to write an official letter that said he had graduated, then he got the korean embassy to notorise it in our home town. he got his visa in canada though, so maybe that helps.

i know that my notorised degree didn't work (when i switched contracts), they can be so finicky! best of luck dude.

[CustomX]

So is the solution to get an offical letter from my school saying that I have completed all credits required for a degree, as well as an official transcript and then have the documents notarized at the Korean Consulate here in Seattle (or wherever each of us may be w/this problem)?

[Demophobe]

[turtlepi1]

I was in exactly the same boat back in June.

My GF was coming over and I couldn't get my degree in time.
I ended up putting forth a very strong argument and eventually after talking to many "high-ups" about the facts of my situation, the director of records cut me a break and fed-ex'd it to me.

In the meantime I nearly went insane.
I spoke with several other people who had come over with degrees pending. Basically they said the wording of the document is very important. Immigration rejected the few couple of letters but accepted a properly worded document.

I think there is even a posting about it somewhere around here.
I'll have a look also.

Worse case scenario take the advice and come on a tourist visa. (Make sure you work out housing with your employer BEFORE you leave Canada.)

It's easy to do a visa run to Japan once you get the documents.

[schwa]

The woman below recently managed to get her E2 before she could obtain her official diploma. It took her 3 or 4 tries but the key seems to have been coming up with a document that sufficiently resembles a diploma with impressive-looking signatures & seals. Its doable.


Joined: 07 Apr 2004
Location: Si-heung
Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 8:03 pm Post subject: Offical Diploma not needed for visa--Believe It or Not!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am passing on this private email to all of you who may be having a hard time getting your diploma for visa...a loophole many may not know about.


Teaching Foreign
Languages
(E-2)
- Certificate of academic degree or diploma of graduation
- Employment contract
- Documents regarding establishment of school or organization
- Letter of personal reference notarized (form 129)


This is the key...my friend. What I found on the Korean consulate website. This "certificate of academic degree" can be anything...from your college, the registrar..etc. As long as it is in a diploma font (calligraphy), form, and language...you will be fine. Make a certificate, find someone you know in your department (dean is the best...it is who I used) have them sign it, get it stamped by someone at the registrar (official seal of the university)--(it helps if you have made friends in the registrar).

Look at a diploma from your school. Make changes so you make a "certificate" not a diploma--use similar form, words, font.

I sent you an email prior with the exact words I used, but I was kicked off internet...it got erased.

Here it is again

The College of YOUR DEPARTMENT of
The YOUR STATE University

from

YOUR UNIVERISITY

certifies that

YOUR NAME

has completed the degree of

Bahelor of Arts/Science
YOUR MAJOR

and should be awarded the benefits thereof
Beginning the --- day of MONTH, two thousand four

Good luck. I guess the Korean immigration are sticklers for official (or official-looking documents) A small hoop to jump through that will save you time and money!

mslaoshi I am so happy to be leaving for my new job!!!

[ladyandthetramp]

I had the same problem last year. What did I do? I went to the student services office and stated my case. They explained the process, and didn't have a real good answer for why they couldn't have the diplomas ready by the end of the semester (and just hand them out after verifying that students completed all the requirements).

Well, they told me one or two times it wasn't possible.

Then I got a tip from a friend that a different friend had gotten an exception the year earlier when she wanted to teach in Taiwan. So I went into the appropriate office, stated my case and was told "no, you can't get it in advance." At this point I brought up my friend's name and her story, and sure enough, upon checking her files it became clear that my friend had, indeed, received her diploma early. At this point, her tone changed and she said I could get it early, but that they don't provide this service for many people and that I shouldn't tell others about it. Looks like I didn't follow through on that bit (UW-Madison, by the way).

My advice: keep bothering people at your school and explaining your situation until they make an exception for you. Don't believe them when they say they can't do it, because it's probably just a lie.

[CustomX]

After being told it would take 3-4 months to receive, and then 6-8 weeks, i will now be getting my diploma in 1.5 weeks. I had to talk to 3 people before someone finally helped me out. All I had to do was forward an email from this recruiter asking for my diploma and this woman put a rush delivery on my diploma. You may need to order a replacement diploma (it cost me $20). So I'll be getting my replacement diploma before my original diploma, kinda weird but whatever. Sure saved me a lot of time