Korean Job Discussion Forums

quercus · Joined: 04 Feb 2003

hello,
i have agreed WITH the support of my hagwon to cancel my visa in order to go on to an elementary school job. the problem is today is wednesday and my new job starts on monday. i need to cancel my visa as soon as possible to begin my new job and keep things relatively smooth and timely.

i know about visa runs and that is under control.

my questions are:
-what documents do i need to bring to immigration?
-who needs to go to immigration: me, my employer, or BOTH?
-how long does it take immigration to process the cancellation?
-any other useful information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for any help.

quercus

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

Gesh...you're asking the wrong people. Go to immigration...they are the ones who issues the Visas. If it's that quick, I mean...if you need the visa quickly......they can do what they want. But...you still have to leave korea and get the new visa.
You WON'T be starting on Monday...legally at least.
I suppose you could go this route.....have your hakwon agree to allowing you to work a second job...again..it's up to immigration.

the eye · Joined: 29 Jan 2004

gesh. actually, you are asking the right people. some of us have been thru this before.

@quercus... you will not be able to have your new visa by monday. it can take up to 14 days for the release process, sometimes. then you have to do your new visa run.

anyway, first thing....download the letter of release.
http://www.efl-law.com/letter_release.html
it must be completed in english and korean, and stamped by your director.

you and your director must both take it to immigration.

immigration will issue you an exit order, giving you 15 days to remain in the country. you must leave before the exit order expires.
it may also take this long for your release to be processed, so be aware.
once the release is processed, immigration will give you the blue paper (visa issuance application). take the blue paper to your new employer, who will attach the necessary info so you can leave the country and get your new visa.

it took 8 days in my case, to get the release processed.

here's a hint to speed things up a bit.
show up EARLY, tomorrow. before 9am. be very polite in asking them if they can speed things up. take an inconspicuous gift. it's cheesy, but it may work.

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

What I meant when I wrote...asking the wrong people.....sure...many have been there...done that...and have advice from experience. Still...it's up to the man to approve it and things are always changing in korea...especially when it comes to immigration.
Play it safe and ask the man. You do need the release letter first off and it will take time once you submit the application. Won't happen in a day...unless you know the chief of the immigration office and are tight with him.

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

Are you SURE you have to leave the country? I didn't when I changed jobs mid-contract. I'm pretty sure that you can do it all here without leaving, but have your employer (both current and future!) check with immigration for sure. I'm pretty sure they can just do a "change of place of employment".

Why the heck did you wait so long to do this?????

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

the eye · Joined: 29 Jan 2004

you can change the place of employment on your visa. it is not granted in all cases. this requires another form from immigration and a fee.

the form can be found here...

Application for alteration of employment place
http://www.moj.go.kr/immi/08_english/01_introduction/civil_f.html

this method requires all three parties to visit immigration with the old employment contract, new contract and the old and new hogwan information.
it can also take up to 14 days to process.

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

immigration changes depending on what office you go to and who you talk to.

I had an overlap of visas. I left korea and cancelled my visa. New employer filed the paperwork (including the release letter). Came back to korea got my blue paper, went to japan,had new visa.

teachmeenglish · Joined: 14 Dec 2004

You do not need to leave Korea to change your visa - sometimes. I went from Wonderland to YBM on the same visa 3 months into my contract and no problem in 2001