Korean Job Discussion Forums

[PolyChronic Time Girl]

Can you come back on a Tourist visa if you broke your contract (with giving proper notice) if your E2 visa hasn't expired yet? There's a family crisis back home (not going into details) that i have to take care of for a few months but I want to come back in a few months. Will I have trouble getting back into Korea? Can my boss do something or say something to immigration officials to prevent me from entering the country again? Any experience on it would be great. Sorry if this sounds obvious but I've never been in this situation before. I'm not doing a runner by the way...I want to give proper notice. Yes, I'm paranoid by the way

I'm not seeking a letter of release...just want to come back to Korea to visit after breaking a contract....possible?

[schwa]

If your E2 is still active, no, you cant simply come back in as a tourist.

If youre giving proper notice for solid family reasons, why wouldnt you seek a formal termination of your visa?

[the eye]

[PolyChronic Time Girl]

I heard that if I notify immigration about my leaving, then they give me an exit order and this officially cancels my E2? Or even handing in your ARC card at immigration at airport cancels your visa? I take it I can cancel the E2 visa myself if your boss won't go with me to immigration to do it (and he wouldn't....he's too lazy to come with me to immigration)?

[the eye]

@shwa.... do you have anything to back up your claim because i came back on a tourist visa with 11 months remaining on my E2.

@poly...no, handing in your ARC does not cancel your visa, nor can you cancel it on your own.

[schwa]

Fair enough. I tried to delete my remark but your comment prevents it now. I spoke without direct knowledge. But it still seems sensible to me that if youre giving proper notice, why not clarify things with your immigration office & not have doubts about your status. Korean immigration can be arbitrary.

[schwa]

Now the comments are coming fast & furious. Sorry I dont know & shouldnt have spoken. Others apparently know better. Best luck!

[PolyChronic Time Girl]

Hmmmm, tricky issue...I'll talk to immigration. Thanks for the advice though, guys

[the eye]

another thing. just pay the 30,000 for a re-entry permit. that ensures a re-entry on your current E2. even tho you no longer work there, your vsa says you do.

[phaedrus]

Just sort it out before.

I'm sure that since your employer normally has to release you from being sponsored, and teachers still need to have a release letter from their employer to be able to get new work, even if they leave Korea and come back, there may be problems. Could be totally different with a tourist visa, though.

It would be much nicer to deal with it before, and not have a headache with airport immigration.

Keep in mind who you are dealing with - immigration....

[hellofaniceguy]

It's up to immigration. Period.

[the eye]

if your boss cancels your visa, you are the ultimate free agent. this requires you and the boss to go to immi together. he cannot just phone them.

if he doesn't cancel it, you MAY be able to come back on a tourist visa, as i told you, i have done it.
but, keep in mind, this is korea. immi has been know to be far from dependable, and there have been people who were unable to enter.

if your school has less than 5 total employees, then your boss MUST cancel your visa in order to hire a new teacher. in this case, he can do it alone. but, still, i wouldn't count on it.

just get a re-entry permit at the airport before you leave. you will be able to come back on your current visa with no problems. if your boss cancels your visa while you are gone, you just come back as a tourist.

[PolyChronic Time Girl]

Eye,

Thanks for all the helpful info...sorry to make it a double thread but it's an issue which needed immediate help. Again, many thanks