Korean Job Discussion Forums

[skconqueror]

[casey's moon]

Check the other current threads about the F-2 visa -- looks like we may not need permission from the immigration office to work anymore (as of this weekend).

[wellington]

My girlfriend is Korean and we plan to get married. She wants us to live in Korea. I've been there before and I wouldn't mind this option. he problem is I have no degree. It seems like the only work I could do in Korea is to teach English.

I have been to university but the course I took didn't have a degree option( long story).

So I can't get an E2 visa, but I could get a F1 visa, right?

Does this mean I couldn't teach in Korea. I've taught English for 3 years in other countries and have a TEFL( I know, useless info).

I just need to know if I could work in Korea? My girlfriend thinks I could but I'm not so sure.

I'm sorry if this has been answered a million times. I did try to search.

Why is life so difficult?

Any answers would be great! Anyone been in the same boat?


Thanks

[ursus_rex]

This is my take on things.

The F-2 visa allows you to do any job a Korean could do, basically. You could not get an E-2 to teach; however, with an F-2 that is unnecessary. I think that whether you are hired or not depends on what the individual employer expects rather than any visa requirement. Brush up your resume.

The upshot is that should a school or any other employer be willing to hire you with the qualifications you have, then that's soully up to them. E-2 restrictions are no longer applicable. If you have teaching experience, and certification, I think that you'll be able to get a teaching position, although the salary may be lower than someone with a degree. And it will be legal.

[ursus_rex]

Also, just thought of it, but before you make the move, make certain that you full fill the F2 requirements... most notably, your spouse has to sponsor your visa... she needs 30,000,000 W in assets, either bank account or apartment key money, in her name to be a sponsor.

Do a search of the forums for related topics... this thread's information is somewhat dated... check the forum FAQ too.

[keithinkorea]

Pretty accurate info here from my recent experiences. My F2 is in progress at the moment.

They wanted to see some proof of funds. We didn't have anything on the first day but the missus went in with our housing contract the next day-we don't move in until the end of April though, they were happy. Our deposit for the house was only 5 Mil but the total price is way above 30.

Things seem to be fine. I wont rest easy until it comes through though after hearing some of peoples horror stories with immigration.

I'll let you all know how I get on with it.

[PRagic]

I have an F2, and just went to immigration to renew for my university job. If you have the F2, then you do not need to go to immigration any more (as of Nov 05) for work-related permits or visas; I was told, 'It's between you and your employer. Immigration is no longer involved with you aside from maintaining your F2." Great news.

[Cheonmunka]

Yeah, it's a fair thing, too. There are a lot of married Westerners who before could not have any sense of security.

Even I have two kids, attending school etc, and they were born here, but all the time I felt an outsider... You know, having a visa, at first with the E2, owned by a director of a school, f%&ing pimp, then an F2 resident visa but still having to get the work visa done, again feeling like I'm being pimped all the time.
So, this is reparation for those years of psychological abuse.
And, for the first time here I feel truly free.

My new boss is confused, "... If I don't give them to immigration .. what can I do with these papers, the school expects me to do something with these papers." (Business reg, and intent to hire, etc.)
"Well, don't give them to me. It's not my concern."

Now, I am whole again. The real man. Not the obseqious, cagey creature I had to be to maintain any shred of dignity when I was a director's *beep*.

So, don't abuse the privaledge (the right) of having an F2. Look after your wife and kids. That's the main thing.

[Col.Brandon]

I got my F2-1 in January and they didn't need to see any proof of funds. Maybe it varies between offices or even officers, though.

Perhaps if you look too young, or your wife looks too much like a juicy girl, then they'll put you through the wringer. Anyway, my experience was pretty straightforward.

[Demophobe]

F2 here. I was told by immi that I don't need any permits, stamps or alterations to work anymore; they aren't involved anymore past the issuance stage of the visa.

I was very worried about this when they told us as it seems to conflict with many of the previous posts here and elsewhere, so we called another immi in ������ and they said the same thing. Seems there was another change recently to this and yes, if you have an F2, you need not get anything else to work.

[jinju]

F2 is good but F5 is even better;)

[Corporal]

[jinju]

[boyardee]

I'm not sure exactly why this thread was revived actually, but as people have pointed out, things have changed with the F2. (Check the threads beginning in September 2005, for the whole story.)

I can't remember what they had me bring in when I first got it, but I'm prettty sure I brought the Family Registry, a Marriage Certificate and maybe something else (the wife's id card maybe?). I went by myself without the missus and there was no problem. There was also never any mention of showing proof of cash.

brd

[robot]

very useful thread.

i'm also getting my F2 at present. every case does, indeed, seem different. here's what i needed:

-certificate of marriage
-my wife's new family census register, available after 10 days of marriage
-2 passport-size pictures
-wife's Korean ID card showing an address that reflects our current residence. hers didn't, so we needed to bring in our new rental contract as proof of where we now live.
-2 application forms available at the immigration office
-70 000 won to buy stamps that are available onsite.
-yep, proof of 30 million won in the bank

we waited for 3 hours at the mokdong branch, then were turned away because we didn't bring the documents showing we had the 30 mil, even though some other immigration official said we didn't need it. best to be prepared i guess.

also you can reserve a spot and avoid the waits at http://www.immigration.go.kr/

ROBT.