Korean Job Discussion Forums

salboski · Joined: 12 Sep 2005

Hi,
I originally posted 'legitimate reasons to quit' a few days ago, but I want to start a new topic with a spin off from that one.
To summarize, our boss pushes the limits of our contract whenever she can, but never quite crosses it. She promised us a two bedroom apt (it's even in the contract) and she stuck us in a one bedroom, saying "in Korea two bedroom means two rooms". And numerous other small things...

But what my wife and I need help with now is that our director is continuously delaying our visa run. At first she said it was because of money. And then she had to wait for immigration to tour her school, because it is new and she can't have foreign teachers working there until her work site is accredited...or whatever...which is happening this week.
So we are teaching illegally, of course.

She delayed us past our 30 day tourist visa and we accumulated fines.
Of course we didn't realize we had overstayed our 30 visa until after that fact. We thought we had a 90 day visa--but US citizens only get 30 day visas.

Once we told the director this, she promised us she'd take care of it and within 48 hours we had an extension stamp in our passport, giving us 60 more days. So, she did take care of it.

It's sad to say, but she basically used flirtation and her looks to get our visa extension...and a 100,000 WON bribe to the immigration official at the office. She took the guy out and got him drunk and flirted (I assume ) and he said if she paid and extra 100,000 won, he's process the papers.
Korea is so corrupt.

So we would like to leave. It's not terrible at our school. We kind of like it, but we feel PUSHED everyday by our director to do more, work more, prepare more, etc. And there's the visa. I think she'll send us to get one soon. But even if she does send us on our visa run in another week, can we ever trust her????

We also don't think we CAN leave, because she's already gotten our 'green papers' (?). Those are what she files with immigration saying that she is sponsoring us. So we can't work for anyone else until she gives us a letter of release.
We could try to get another job, but when that employer applied for another 'green paper', he'd be told that we are already under the sponsorship of another person.

Does anyone know more about this 'green paper' or whatever it's called? I'm pretty sure we can't leave now that she's got it. Obviously, she's not going to give us a letter of release willingly. And my wife and I don't want to go home. So, we're stuck right?
And is she typical Korean or is she worse than a normal one? If we go to another school, will it be the same?
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Corporal · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

sheba · Joined: 16 May 2005 Location: Here there and everywhere!

Make a choice either to stay or leave.

If you decide to stay then I suggest you refuse to teach until you get your visa.... otherwise you could get caught, or your boss may take a LOT longer to sort it out. Make a stand.

If you choose to leave, then do it before your visa is sorted.

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

Do you REALLY want to put up with this...um...STUFF...for a whole year??? From the sounds of it, she hasn't filed ANYTHING with immigration, so you're free to find another job. DO IT!

fidel · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Location: North Shore NZ

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

You are crazy to still be there. You overstayed a tourist visa, and your boss already asked Immi for an extension. You're a sitting duck. Get out before you get deported.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

GET OUT NOW! She has no legal hold on you. That paper (blue form BTW) not "green" has not likely been filed at all. She is simply trying to keep on to you. LEAVE now. Now that Immigration has been alerted to the fact that you overstayed your visa you are now on their radar screen. Don't be surprised if they show up at your school in the hopes of catching you teaching illegally. If they do you will be fined and likely deported (as this is a second offense). And then you may not be able to come back to Korea for a long while.

Manner of Speaking · Joined: 09 Jan 2003

You will probably be caught by immigration for teaching illegally, and be deported, in short order. Because you've done so many stupid things up until this point.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

I'm afraid I have to agree with Manner of Speaking on this point.

No one can use you unless you let them and boy oh boy, it sounds like you have been bent over, shafted and are begging for more!

Manner of Speaking · Joined: 09 Jan 2003

purple_buddha · Joined: 18 Apr 2003

Run! Until your passports are stamped with an E-2 visa, the contracts you signed are worthless. You have NO obligation to the school and you are teaching illegally. There's nothing your director can do if you choose to leave.

Stop getting strung along; this is classic bs behavior by a hagwon director.

Meanwhile, you're sitting around with a huge bulls-eye on your nether region just begging for more fines and deportation when (not if) immigration officials arrive at your school!

Then, you won't be able to come back to Korea for three more years.

pegpig · Joined: 10 May 2005

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

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

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

What, you still haven't left yet?

You'd better hurry!