Korean Job Discussion Forums

nev · Joined: 04 Jan 2004 Location: ch7t

Just before you finish your contract and leave the country, do you need to go to immigration? If so, what papers need to be filled in, and does your director need to come with you and sign papers also, or can you do everything alone?

Thanks

the eye · Joined: 29 Jan 2004

there's no reason to visit immi unless yo are resigning with the same school.

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

No extra papers needed. Just hand in your ARC card at passport control and go.

nev · Joined: 04 Jan 2004 Location: ch7t

I'm not resigning (or re-signing), but my school say I have to go with them to Immigration this Wednesday. They said something about "breaking contract". I have been with the school for just over a year, but only did the visa run in March - therefore I've only been working legally for 11 months.

I get paid, with severance, this Friday (i.e. two days after the immigration visit). My flight hasn't yet been bought. Should I be suspicious?

the eye · Joined: 29 Jan 2004

ah, i think they want you to go to immi for THEIR purpose, not yours.
they want to hire a new teacher, and they need your VISA slot empty in order to do that.
if you just leave, they are still left as your sponsor.

as a mutual agreement to end the VISA, you and the employer must go down there together.

i'd get on 'em about that flight, or make a reservation yourself.

BigBlackEquus · Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 5:07 am Post subject:

Just make sure you get paid your bonus first, if they are indeed paying you that!!!! They could easily, and legally, turn around and tell you NO, and not have to pay it, because you even went with them to immigration to cancel it before the 12 months. I would have to have ENORMOUS trust for my school to let this happen. Even still, I would be suspicious! The labor board would probably not give you a dime, in this case, if you weren't paid, and fought it. Just guessing.

fancypants · Joined: 22 May 2005

yeah, like BBE said, be super careful about your severance pay which you are entitled to under korean law (one month's salary after 12 full months' employment).

"breaking contract? eep!

before i went to immi, i would make damn sure what it is i was going there for. can you further clarify this with your boss before you go?

also, unless you want to get your ass busted all over by immi for working on a tourist visa, mum's the word about working sans E2...you should also make this clear to your boss in case he/she is ignorant of the law and lets it slip.

Big Mac · Joined: 17 Sep 2005

It looks to me like they're tying to get you to sign papers telling immigration that you've broken your contract and want to be released. The other people are right, this would mean that you may get screwed out of your severence pay.

I would be asking a lot of questions about this. This would also likely cut off your medical insurance. It sounds like your boss is trying to scam you. Be careful.

nev · Joined: 04 Jan 2004 Location: ch7t

Thanks for the advice everyone. My school is generally incompetent rather than malicious, but my trust in them does not extend far. I'm going to err on the side of caution/paranoia and tell them I can't go to Immigration this week, but next week will be fine. As they haven't yet bought me a flight I do not have to leave this weekend.

There's no point trying to discuss things with them. It's part of a big chain and my year with them has taught me well that dialogue is useless. If I don't go to Immigration this week (and thus don't "break contract") then the worst case scenario would simply being having to work one more month, as under my visa terms, to claim my severance.