Korean Job Discussion Forums

YellowFella · Joined: 15 Jun 2003 Location: Seoul

I'm just starting out in Seoul - My hakwon said they need to process something with the government and they need to hold on to my orginal diploma. Is this a familiar practice to you all? If so, how long does it take?

The Lemon · Joined: 11 Jan 2003

As far as I know, giving them the original is an absolute no-no. If it needs to go to an office, offer to take it there yourself. What do others say?

kylehawkins2000 · Joined: 08 Apr 2003

In my opinion it is fine. I have done it three times and have had no problems. I have also had my diploma mailed from Canada by regular airmail no problem.

I think people tend to be a little paranoid about that little piece of paper. Remember it's the fact that you have a degree, not the piece of paper that is important. Any university or college I have ever heard of will provide you with a replacement in case it is lost or stolen. There is a cost associated with this of course.

Many people use a notorized copy (notorized by the Korean embassy/consulate, not your university/college) In my opinion this can be costly, time consuming, and unnecessary.

To each their own however!

If you do not have a notorized copy it is necessary to give the original. They should give it back to you within a few days.

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

As far as I know, there are only two times that anyone from the government might want to see your diploma. One is when immigration issues clearance for your E-2 visa. The other is when the city Department of Education wants to verify that all teachers are qualified to teach (this happened to me in Bucheon).

If you can avoid it, I'd say don't give the hogwon your original diploma.

Immigration will accept the original or a copy notarized by the embassy or consulate that is closest to where the degree was issued. I do not know if a city Department of Education will accept a notarized copy instead. Kyle is right that getting notarized copies can be a hassle. If you go this route, I'd say try getting a few extra notarized copies while you're at it.

While any college or university will replace a lost or stolen diploma, they might take their sweet time about it. Mine said it would take eight weeks to replace my diploma. If you don't have notarized copies handy, your hogwon owner is holding your original, and you want to leave your school right away to work at another school, or in another country, this can be a real problem.

There is absolutely no reason for your boss to hold onto your original diploma. Since you're already in Korea, and I'm betting you don't have notarized copies handy, I'd say offer to go with your boss to whatever goverment office wants to see your diploma. If he only needs it for some bureaucratic nonsense, this should not be a problem.

The Lemon · Joined: 11 Jan 2003

kimchikowboy · Joined: 24 Jan 2003

My uni lost my diplomas. Sheeesh!

blah · Joined: 08 May 2003 Location: Ulsan, Korea

"Many people use a notorized copy (notorized by the Korean embassy/consulate, not your university/college) In my opinion this can be costly, time consuming, and unnecessary".

Costly? Perhaps. Time consuming? Definitely. But unnecessary? That depends on your circumstances. Many Korean consulates, such as the one in Toronto, demand it be notarized by a lawyer or notary public first before they verify it.

The Consulate in the Philippines made me mail my original degree back to Vancouver to be verified at the consulate nearest my university.

Remember that no two consulates interpret the rules the same. Even the same one will change the procedure when a new person takes over a department.

William Beckerson · Guest

They want to keep them because they want to keep you from pulling a midnight run. Which I find to be an understandable desire on their part.

On the other hand, it's your diploma and if you dont want them to keep it, you should ask for it back.

Of course, they'll then proceed to label you as someone who isnt interesting in office harmony, so you're boned either way.

kylehawkins2000 · Joined: 08 Apr 2003

well, wait a minute forrest, you can't always assume evil.....
There are legitimate reasons why they would need your diplomas. I've given mine to a number of different places and have never had a problem with it. It has always come back to me. Most places will not hold anything hostage on you.......but some will.

You should receive your diploma back within a day or two. Perhaps you have already received it? If they truly are holding it hostage you can refuse to work until they give it back or threaten legal action. Make sure you tell them that you can just order a new copy if they are threatening to keep it.

The Bobster · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Yeah, try everything first, but in the end you can withhold service until they return your personal property.

Sometimes it gets worse, though. Heard of schools that hold onto your passport even after immigration is finished processiing the green card - this is so far out of line it's ridiculous, but in that case you've got a lot of recourse : call the embassy. See, "your" passport isn't really yours, it's the property of whatever govt issued it, and theft of it treated very seriously.

Me, I go the notarized copy route whenever possible, and I try to take care of as much of the process of getting the visa as I can, even if it means I'm paying a few fees that otherwise my boss would reimburse me for. It's only money, and the hassles that can be avoided if you have to replace your diploma from overseas are well worth it.