Korean Job Discussion Forums

[blackbird]

Can one teach legally having only a SOFA visa? What are the ramifications of getting caught teaching private lessons? I know that they cannot deport you, but can they fine you?

[the_beaver]

[lastat06513]

I had a conversation with one of my partners about this.
No matter how much crap people will tell you, believe me...

Nothing will happen, at all!

If you have a SOFA visa, you are untouchable by anyone, not immigrations, not even the police.
Teaching privately is not covered under the long list of off-duty crimes listed in the SOFA.
So if some hot-shot young immigration officer comes up to you and asks for your ID, all you have to do is show them your Military ID and say "SOFA" and they magically walk away.
This is because they have to contact the military police if a crime is committed off-duty.
Believe me, they won't even bother and if the MPs are involved, they will only take you out of the area and tell you kindly "not to do it again"
I have seen this done millions and millions of times.
What my friend and alot of people I know do is get privates and take them on base, there the police have no jurisdiction at all....
In fact, alot of part time jobs on base encourage doing privates to supplement their incomes to make up for the crappy pay, why not, it is seen on-base as something perfectly legal.

And if the Koreans do cry foul about it, what are they going to do? Ask the US government to add teaching to the list of crimes punishable under SOFA? Does the Korean government honestly believe that a US senator would want to change the document because it is illegal in Korea for people to "improve themselves"?

Please...!
It wouldn't fly!

[BobNads69]

Dead Wrong!!
You can teach legally with an A-3 SOFA, but not privates. Take your documents (4 yr degree, trans), contract and passport to Miga.

"If you have a SOFA visa, you are untouchable by anyone, not immigrations, not even the police. "

Again wrong! I know of at least 4 people fined and deported for teaching privates illegally. Know of officers wives loosing SOFA and fined too.

"And if the Koreans do cry foul about it, what are they going to do? Ask the US government to add teaching to the list of crimes punishable under SOFA? Does the Korean government honestly believe that a US senator would want to change the document because it is illegal in Korea for people to "improve themselves"? "

You need to do some reseach here. SOFA= Get of jail free card?
Wrong again!

[lastat06513]

Really?...

I'm wrong?
Gee, I guess I have no idea what i'm talking about, especially since I am a member of the VFW here in Korea (Seoul chapter) and I have a chance to meet alot of both military and DoD civilians at least once a month.
Oh!, I don't know jack shi'ite, especially since I have seen many schools hire more and more DoD dependants because they are practically untouchable and can easily accept 15,000 won an hour just for the chance to get out of the house. Now that this is my winter break, I have been turned down 3 times because they found an American who is here and willing to take a paycut, compared to a teacher who would be demanding 30,000 to 45,000 for the same work.
And I have personally seen (with my own 2 eyes) a guy approached by immigrations and when asked for his ID, he pulled out his military ID and started demanding that they call the MPs if they wanted to arrest him. He basically dared them to drag him in and did they? no. Instead of standing there looking like idiots, they just walked away.

The A3 visa is also a DIPLOMATIC visa, in people are under the jurisdiction of their home countries and the agreements have been modified over time to fit the times.
But if you were a Korean diplomat and you demand the US to change the SOFA to make private tutoring illegal. And then you tell them the reason is because private teaching competes with the local institutes, he or she would think you were crazy. Why? again, A senator would think of it as radiculous to have a law to stop ordinary people from improving themselves.

OP, it is very simple.
If you have an A3 (SOFA) visa, just go and find as many privates as you can find and handle and make as much money before going back to the states.
Alot of people who are going to tell you otherwise are jealous of your status here because it is illegal for the rest of us to do.
Good luck and cheers~~!

[red headed stranger]

I am dredging up this thread to get a couple more SOFA related questions answered.

I am a dependent of a USFK contractor. As such, I have an A3 visa and SOFA status. I understand that teaching "privates" is a good way to make some dough, so are there circumstances under which it is legal?

Also, if I seek out a Hagwon or University position, will I need to take any additional steps to register with immigration?

[Hollywoodaction]

[Pyongshin Sangja]