Korean Job Discussion Forums

[pollyplummer]

Hey guys, I'm leaving Korea soonish for personal reasons. Do I need to get a letter of release to get through immigration without a fine? Though my contract requires that I give 60 days notice, I can only give one week. I work at a public high school and do not have much fear of them screwing me over. I am not ever planning to come back to Korea to teach, so is the letter of release still required? Also, in order to get my pension, what documents should I bring when I visit the pension office? I have already visited their site and located them, but it is unclear what I will need besides my bank information in order to submit a claim.

[Captain Corea]

I'm sorry to see you go.

That being said I'm pretty sure you can just get on a plane and leave. POssibly just giving them your ARC while on the way out. I'm not sure why there'd be any fine involved (other than your contract dealings).

Also, if i'm not mistaken, I seem to remember you being American. I didn't think that Americans got the pension refund (but I could be wrong so wait for the next poster).


Good luck !!

[crazylemongirl]

If you don't plan on returning to Korea to work before your visa ends then just hand your ARC card when you leave. That's it. No fine. Nothing.

[Son Deureo!]

Americans and Canadians are eligibleto get their pension money refunded when they leave Korea. If I remember right, you have to go to the pension office and arrange to have it wired to a Korean bank account.

You don't need a letter of release if you want to leave Korea, only if you want to get another work visa.

Good luck to you.

[stumptown]

That bad, huh? Sorry to see you go. Make sure you go to the pension office and get your money. Good luck, Sarah.

[jajdude]

Sorry to see you go, or maybe you are happy? Anyway, like already said, nothing eventful happens. You simply get on the plane and have a nice flight, I hope!

[Gopher]

No one is going to stop you from leaving. Quitting your job is not against the law.

The Letter of Release is to get a new visa and a new job, so don't sweat it.

Go to EFL-Law.com for more detailed answers on this question...I'm just about prepared to make that trip to the airport myself.

[schwa]

Presumably your personal reasons outweigh the disappointment & inconvenience you will cause your school & the cloud of suspicion that will greet your eventual successor.

[just because]

I have a feeling you will find it difficult to get any pension money if you are leaving and are no where near the end of your contract.....

Thye will be full of questions and will ring up your present employer...

If i were you I would just keep it under your hat and just walk out silently into the night, it will be probably cheaper and a lot less hassle that way....

[fancypants]

if you want to get it wired home, you need to show the pension office ajossi: a one-way plane ticket outta dodge, your passport, ARC, and your bank deets at home so they can wire the money into it.
if your boss doesn't know you are going, be careful with the pension guy because he will likely call your boss to verify that you are leaving.

if you don't want to take the risk, just anonomously ask the pension guy for information on how to apply for it safely from the bosom of your mother country but it takes longer to get your dough.

[Corporal]

[Badmojo]

[Grotto]

documents needed are:
Plane ticket showing you are leaving the country.
ARC
Bank account


Someone who knows Korean to help you fill out the forms

[pegpig]

Ah, you lucky deviless. You're knight has come and rescued you from the big bad Korean dragon. Discard those shackles and run coffee girl run.

Make sure you don't leave behind your pension as some have suggested. 500 bucks is 500 bucks. I'd do the paperwork for 50. Since you're giving notice it doesn't matter if the pension office calls your boss.

Congratulations! I sometimes wonder what would have become of me had I not met my wife 2 months before my freedom.

[tzechuk]

Sorry you are leaving. Good luck for the future.