Korean Job Discussion Forums

PolyChronic Time Girl · Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Location: Korea Exited

I have a newbie friend, fresh from Canada, who got a job offer to teach at a typical haggie. The employers, he has informed me, tell him that they will start processing his E2 visa AFTER he starts working (in other words for the first month, he'll teach on a tourist visa) I told him to absolutely refuse to work on a tourist visa, even if it's only for a week. My other teacher-friends tell me I'm being overly paranoid and that he'll be okay...they've all done it before, blah, blah
What are the chances of him being caught on tourist visa (in a small city, Changwon I think)? I'm telling him to refuse working at the hagwon at all costs until they get him a visa and the school is getting angry with him for stalling.
How many of you have done this? Have you been caught?
Would you ever teach on a tourist visa while waiting for an E2? I say "hell, no!"
I'm telling my friend that if he's not legal to start, he will most likely be jailed and fined....am I being reasonable in scaring him like this?

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

I did it when I first got here. With the benefits of hindsight I shouldn't of.

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

Youre right. Its totally illegal & I hope your friend doesnt get caught. Likely he wont, but theres no excuse for hagwons perpetrating that crap.

bosintang · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 6:12 am Post subject:

It is illegal to start work before your actual visa start-date, and as an illegal worker, you are as much at the whims of immigration as any other illegal worker. However, on the flip side, it is common business practice. I have no strong opinions one way or the other, but my only suggestion is that if he decides to do it, he should doubly make-sure that that an actual start date and (especially) a finish date are written in his contract, otherwise he could set himself up for several issues when he completes his contract.

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I got busted for that. I've posted the story so many times, it is old.

I was on my 2nd day of work when immigration raided the school.

Was ratted-out by a previous teacher.

Don't do it. If they try to force your friend, remember that your friend has the upper-hand. If they say they'll fire him, then tell them that's fine. It'll take them longer to find a new teacher anyway.

Don't do it, please. It cost me a lot of money and I had to pay my own way to Japan with an exit-order, then do it again the following week for another E-2 which could have been revolked.

theSeeker · Joined: 18 Jun 2004

i started at a school the first of a month. they didnt get the E2 visa sorted until around the 10th. Then i flew Japan. So yea, i worked illegal for 10 days. Wasn't a big deal. i knew the visa was on the way, and now i have it. my experience at the hagwon has been great. they just needed me to start at the beginning of the month, and the visa hadnt arrived yet, thats all. i dont think anyone was overly comfortable about it, and neither was i.

i came to korea to look for a job on a tourist visa. so far, it has all worked out nicely.

good luck!

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964