Korean Job Discussion Forums

opalessense · Joined: 11 Jul 2003

Hello, I hope this won't be too long.

I was hired by a school, and they requested me to work on August 1, 03.

I have not done anything on my side (not even send me their degree), but I have bought a one way ticket to Korea.

1. Is it possible to get a working visa in 14 days? Assuming I will send my degree over there having them receive it in 3 days.

2. What if the working visa doesn't go through in time? I heard I can't stay in Korea because I bought a one way ticket.

3. is telling the teacher to buy a one way ticket normal? What if they don't reimburse me?

I am sitting around worrying my head off.

Soon I will be headless.

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: South Korea

You can come in usually on a tourist visa with a one way if your appearance looks okay.

You are leaving yourself too open with your new employer. If you are going to have to pay for your own ticket up front then get here straight away and tell your employer to go with you to immigration to process your work visa application. It takes about 4 to 5 work days for immigration to process it. Then you will have to do a visa run to Japan to get your E2 stamped into your passport. So usually this costs about about $400 dollars (one night Japan, return ticket, visa costs and run around costs.) and takes either one or two week days to complete.

Don't send your deploma ahead of time as this can be used to hold you by your hogwan. Present your passport and a certified copy of your deploma to immigration and have an original copy on hand to show but don't leave it with either immigration or you future employer. Also bring a transcript of studies just in case. If they won't come at this then find another employer as there are plenty out there.

chi-chi · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

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rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

As I understand it you can only enter korea on a one way if you have an E2 visa. Otherwise , they will see you as a tourist, and expect you to have a return ticket- or proof of funds to live in Korea, and pay for a ticket out...
Howevr, i've only ever entered Korea on a return ticket- so I can't be absolutely sure.....

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

waterbaby · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Baking Gord a Cheescake pie

GirlFromMars · Joined: 15 May 2003 Location: Corea do Sul

To the OP

1. yes, it is possible, I got mine (e2) in that time although the school allowed for a couple weeks more just in case. alternatively, my boyfriend went to korea in under two weeks on a tourist visa and then processed an e2 on a visa run.

2. bf went to korea on a one way ticket on just a tourist visa so no probs there. of course it helps to have a forwarding ticket or return i would imagine. sometimes it's actually cheaper to buy a return than a one way. For me to arrive in Korea I'm taking the first leg of a return journey lisbon-london and then the second leg of a return journey london-seoul. just because it's cheaper for me to get to london and cheaper for my school to pay my flight to seoul.

3. its standard for a school to ask you to pay the ticket upfront and reimburse you. they are probably being honest with you. however, if you tell them it's impossible for you to pay it (if you're worried they might not reimburse) then they will pay it up-front (just see!), it's standard for them to ask you but it's also standard for them to pay it upfront if you don't agree. In the off chance they dont reimburse you and give you the runaround if you try at different schools they will probably offer you airfare reimbursement even though you are already in korea.

don't worry too much, i know it's hard to think of anything else while you are in the planning stage, but just try and remember that they want you more than you want them... there are a lot of jobs out there!

i honestly think most of the time you will be ok, some schools maybe dodgy but they NEED you so they will play above board to get you, you hear more about the rip-off schools on this site but that doesn't necessarily reflect all schools.

you're situation sounds exactly like the school my bf got hired by, his only complaint is that they are too serious about teaching and expect him to work hard (last time he was in Korea it was different). Personally, I prefer the more demanding school because I take teaching seriously.

Good luck.

GFM

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

My thoughts. (if I am still capable of any)
First off, I think it depends what nationality you are and where you are coming from. I know from Canada, you need a return ticket if you are only coming on a tourist visa. I don't know if it's a legal requirement or not. I've heard differing views on this, but the airline will demand that you buy a return ticket. (from Canada anyway) They just want to cover their ass as they are liable to fines if you get stuck in Korea with no way home.

I have a question about this, but I don't know if I can get a real answer on this forum. I was wondering if a person could buy a one way ticket to say, F-u-k-u-o-k-a Japan and then come to Busan on a ferry. That way only needing a return ferry ticket. I've asked this one before, but haven't gotten any real answers so I thought I'd try again.
Cheers
PS: Chi-Chi, what was it like for you the first time you came here? Did you have any questions then that might be considered dumb at this time?

opalessense · Joined: 11 Jul 2003

Hello, it is 3 am my time and I just can't sleep because i am wracked with worry.

sorry for the sp and gr mistakes.

i send my degree off to the school today, and in hindsight, i dont think that was very smart.

But, i figure that if they do anything with it, i can always get a replacement.

my question is this: i have already signed the contract, and send my degree, am i bound to the school now? or can i still turn back?

thanks!

chi-chi · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

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