Korean Job Discussion Forums

bb · Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Location: Ca

Is it normal for the teacher to be required to pay for the airfare and then reimbursed?

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Angelus · Joined: 10 Feb 2006

It's normal if you're going for the quick E2 visa method. In other words, if you come here on a tourist visa and then do a visa run to Japan. If not, then your airfare should be provided prior to your arrival.

Homer · Guest

It is happening more and more these days. Normal shift in some respects.

I would still try and ask for pre-paid airfare (usually a one-way in that case). But, if other teachers at your school say the airfare was reimbursed with no problems then it should not be a deal breaker.

This reimbuse thing started to become more common as schools tried protect themselves against teachers coming over on their dime and then bolting upon arrival....it is also used by bad schools to avoid paying the fare or to have something to hold over the teacher.

Picotrain · Joined: 16 Nov 2005

I didn't pay for my airfare, I insisted they pay up front. There were two main reasons for this:
1) I've heard stories about people coming over and being "left hanging" based solely on the way they looked. At least if they tried anything of the sort it would be their financial loss, not mine. I could always get another job, if need be, and not have to worry about losing $1300.
2) I literally could not afford to spend $1300, I had maxed-out one credit card and was dangerously close to doing the same thing with another. The most cash I could produce, if necesary, was around $400. That almost gets me to Toronto Wink