Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ontheway]

This topic keeps coming up, so for the newbies who haven't come to Korea yet:

Unless the law has changed very recently, You do not have to give, send or even show your originial university degree to anyone in Korea.

You take that degree to a copy shop and make copies - PHOTOCOPIES. They cost a pennies each so make a bunch. Now, take these or mail these to your Korean Embassy or Consulate and get them certified. You pay for each one, but it's worth it. Get a bunch. Plan how many years you think you'll be in Korea. Get double that and maybe a couple extra for job hunting. The Korean embassy will stamp and certify those PHOTOCOPIES. They do have to see your original diploma at the embassy, but no one in Korea needs to see it. Not even immigration.

That is what the law requires. A certified COPY of your diploma. Not a certified original.

I have never shown my original diploma to anyone in Korea. I've had many jobs, visa run to Japan, but I'm still using that first batch I made many years ago. The newest teacher at my current hogwan did the same, so I think this law is unchanged.

So, if some boss keeps the certified photocopy, it's no great loss. Why make problems you can avoid. Plan ahead and always use photocopies of your diploma.

[canuckistan]

[Carole Anne]

That's what I'm in the midst of doing right now, only I've only gotten two made. I will be there in person for my visa so maybe I'll get more made then. I don't like the idea of anyone holding ANY originals. There should be no need and it sets you up and takes away your control.

[PolyChronic Time Girl]

I had to break into my last parasite hagwon owner's office and steal back my original diploma...what a bas*ard. I learned my lesson...although, I never plan on returning to Korea to work.

[denverdeath]

I had one photocopy certified by the consulate in Montreal and had it scanned. I've been using colour(even black and white laser ones in a pinch) print-outs of that for nine years without a problem.

[adventureman]

[some waygug-in]

This may seem like a dumb question..........

Since I am already in Korea, can I get it done here somehow?

Or

Would I have to send everything back to Canada?

[Son Deureo!]

I've tried asking this question before, and I couldn't get an answer either.

When I tried to get copies of my degree certified at my local Korean consulate (Seattle), I was told I had to go to the consulate closest to my university (Chicago). Since I will not be anywhere near Chicago any time soon, I'd really like to find another way to do this. Preferably in Korea. Anyone know how?

[nrvs]

From Korea, you can mail your diploma and some nice color copies to the consulate in Chicago. Inside the envelope, include the original degree, its photocopies, and the cash necessary -- it was $2 for each copy when I did it last year. Enclose a return, prepaid envelope. I used one from FedEx. They'll mail your diploma and the notarized copies back to you in Korea. In summer 2004 the turnaround with the consulate in NYC was only 3 days.

Of course, call them to verify my advice and also to get the name of the person/department responsible for notarizing the copies.

[alistaircandlin]

Is it possible to get this done in Korea without having to mail the diploma back to the U.S. or the U.K. ?

[guangho]

I had certified copies made of my diploma in Korea at the U.S. Embassy. I wonder if the same can be done with transcripts.

[Prince Frog]

After reading this you can imagine my joy at having sent my original diploma on FedEx "priority" not more than two days past, without having first made certified copies. Brilliant.

[YoungLi]

Is it just me or are there others here who think this thread should be flagged with a Sticky by the moderators?

Last time I checked with a consulate they said the copies of the degree certificate had to be each "notorized" by a "notary public" before you send them. The cost is $2.00 each there in NYC to have the copies certified but "different consulates operate differently." I REALLY think they NEED to have better websites for the consulates to explain all of this better. Quite a few things on the sites are outdated. This is the age of information technology and South Korea is (suppose) to be on the cutting edge. hmmm

p.s. I could never figure out why the visa application cost for Americans is $45.00 and $30.00 for all other citizens. Is it harder to process someone from ANOTHER country or what?! I hate to ask them. It just seems so...

[mindmetoo]

[Son Deureo!]