Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Fat Sam]

I got told that I'd have to go to immigration by the end of December, however, like Dysupes, I'm getting married next year before my visa comes up for renewal. It really would be a waste of six hours to go to Suwon if I don't have to.

Considering I wont be getting the F2 until the summer, do you think they'll check up on people currently employed on an E2 if they don't go to immigration? Not that it's a big deal or anything, just that I'd rather save myself the trip.

[sheeon]

[Dysupes]

Sheeon,

The situation as I've been made to understand it is that immigration requires a degree for an E2 Visa. The degree is one of the required documents for THAT visa and therefore it has to be verified by immigration if you are to remain in the country as an E2 Visa holder. If, however, you are an F2 Visa holder, you do not need to present your diploma to get this visa because it is a spousal visa not connected to your job, whatever it may be. My fiancee will be calling Masan Immigration very soon to confirm this and I will post it immediately but I've confirmed with my school that the degree is NOT required by the schools themselves but rather by immigration for the issuance of an E2 visa. If you or I are under F2 visas then our credentials really don't matter as we aren't applying or retaining an E2 English Teacher Visa.

There have already been posts on here about the recent changes to the F2 system and what those changes entail. The one thing that it seems everybody agrees on is that those who renewed or got their F2 visas following Sept. 25 (or was it 26) were told that they could do pretty much whatever the hell they wanted and that they didn't need to inform immigration if they decided to teach, work in a company, work as a cook, etc. Immigration said they just didn't care what you did if you had your F2. I'm hoping that they won't be monumentally stupid in all this fake degree bull and begin to start applying it to F2 holders too.

Do I think everybody should be honest about their degrees? Yes, absolutely. Do I think that if you are an F2 visa holder and a teacher that the responsibility of verification lies with immigration? Absolutely not. That responsibility lies with the school itself when applied to an F2 Visa holder.

Like I said though, I will post what details I receive from immigration here when I have them.

If anyone else manages to go and see them in person then please let us know how it all turns out!

[Scott in Incheon]

I was at Incheon immigration today with another F-2...uni sent us down for the conformation thing....

They asked us why we came down...no need...F-2's don't have to have their degrees confirmed...at least in Incheon

[Dysupes]

Scott,

Thanks for the confirmation from Incheon. I can only hope it holds true in Masan/Changwon as well.