Korean Job Discussion Forums

[CaptainConjunction]

I feel I should put in my two cents worth about this release letter thing.

I just cancelled my visa at immigration today with my boss. Sure, it was a hassle, but worth it because now I have a guarantee that he hasn't reported me for something and that I am free to process a new E2 later.

If, on the other hand, I had decided to do a midnight run, he could possibly have done something to prevent me working further until the end of my current visa.

If, like the OP you are planning on not coming back to Korea until a year later, then it's no drama. Unless your boss reported you to the police for some serious offence, then I'm certain immi wouldn't even blink over it.

This is the main point I'm trying to make:

Immigration in Korea doesn't CARE what has happened between you and your boss. They just want to process your visa and move through the stack of paperwork that's piling up in their offices - due to mindless policies like checking whether DHL may or may not have opened your transcripts

Heck when I cancelled my visa, my boss told them "I need to kick this SOB out of Korea forever" and the immigration worker said "Oh you need to fill out the cancelling a visa form"

Anyway, hope that people stop using the letter of release. It's much better to cancel your visa in person with your boss at immigration. Stops them doing anything nasty, because they are more embarrassed to say it in front of you.

[pest1]

As far as I understand Americans have multi-entry visas so they can leave and come back or not come back with no hassels. There is no need to return your ARC card if you leave early than your visa expiration, unless you really want to. Although you still need to show your ARC at the airport to prove you have a valid visa. But for Canadians and Australians etc. there is a complication. Do you tell them that you are not coming back and hand in your ARC card or do you lie to them that you will come back and pay the 30,000 won tax. If you just tell them you quit your job will they ask for a release letter since your visa still has 6 months to go? Without a release letter will there be any possibility that they might retain you untill they contact your school to make sure you are indeed released and not just running away? That is if your school hasn't reported you. What happens when your school reports you as a runner while you are at the airport or before you get to the airport? Do you get fined?