Korean Job Discussion Forums

MinneasotaGirl · Joined: 19 May 2006 Location: Minneapolis, MN

So, I decided not to take the job. Because I just do not feel comfortable working without a E-2 visa, at all. And I did not like the attitude I was given when I politely told the recruiter my feelings on breaking the law in a foreign country. It had a bad feeling, and I couldn't shake it. I am going to follow my insticts. However, I do feel bad because the school is in need of teachers. And we backed out at the last minute. However, they also told us about the "working without the visa thing at the last minute." We NEVER signed a contract. Because we were still deciding how we felt about the job.

My question now is, can they blacklist us with immigration?

ontheway · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 4:42 pm Post subject:

Since you never signed a contract, I presume that you never sent your other documents to be processed for a visa either. (copy of diploma, transcripts etc.) In this case you were never bound by the school and no paperwork was ever filed with Immigration to begin the visa process. You have no obligation to the school and nothing can be done to blacklist you with Immigration. You can find another job and get your E2. No problem.

When you find something new, be sure to arrange to get your E2 before you come to Korea. Then you'll be legal when you arrive.

MinneasotaGirl · Joined: 19 May 2006 Location: Minneapolis, MN

What if I did send my other documents, but NOT a SIGNED CONTRACT? They have our other documents, because we sent them before we heard about the working without a visa situation. They have our other documents (diploma, resume, pictures, etc.) I know we are stupid, but like I said everything was "go", until we felt weird about not having a visa, etc.

Can they blacklist us without a signed contract, but with our other documents?

Pyongshin Sangja · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: I love baby!

Stop worrying about a blacklist. Forget about the resume, photos and so on.

Did you send your original diploma? To an angry recruiter?

You can't apply for any other jobs without that diploma or a replacement.

MinneasotaGirl · Joined: 19 May 2006 Location: Minneapolis, MN

Yes, they have our diplomas. But, we sent them before anyone was angry. I am just worried that the forged our signatures and sent the contracts into immigration. The said we will not work anywhere for 3 months. Have you ever heard of that before?

Weird crap.

kat2 · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Location: Busan, South Korea

They might try to badmouth you to other hagwons in the same area, but they can't stop you from working for 3 months. I would try looking in adifferent area with a different recruiter. Try kimnjoe.com. I had a great expereience with them. I would also contact your university to get your diploma and transcripts reissued...

Milwaukiedave · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Location: Goseong

First thing, don't feel bad about pulling out. Remember it is the recruiter who blatently lied to you.

I'd suggest you get your diplomas back ASAP so you can apply for another job.

Oh, and as I said before please let us know who the recruiter is (after you've gotten your diplomas back). People need to know why recuriters aren't trusted worth a damn.

ontheway · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 8:05 am Post subject:

If they have your documents then they may have gone ahead and filed for your E2 visa. They may have used a forged contract or an unsigned contract and rushed the documents into Immigration. You could be blocked from getting a new E2 for up to a year. But, you should contact Immigration and find out if any paperwork was filed and let them know that you never signed a contract.

Why would you send your documents without a contract?

Pyongshin Sangja · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: I love baby!

Until you have a stamp in your passport you aren't registered with anyone and have no legal obligations to anybody. They can't prevent you from working at all.

Pyongshin Sangja · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: I love baby!

MinneasotaGirl · Joined: 19 May 2006 Location: Minneapolis, MN

So, basically we have screwed ourselves.

The original school sent in our documents to immigration, without a signed contract, to start the visa process. We NEVER WERE TOLD that they would do this, we still had questions and concerns, and we had not even seen the updated contract.

They had our important documents (diplomas, transcipts, etc) because they had been sent by the recruiter. We never thought this meant that we were LOCKED in! Also, they started the visa process the day they got our papers, before we had looked at the updated contract, and before all of our questions were answered.

In the meantime, unaware of all of this. We signed a contract with another school, and sent them all of our documents (PLUS A SIGNED CONTRACT.) We also wrote to the 1st school telling them we were not interested because we had a bad feeling about everything, we said please send back our papers.

The first school said we were unprofessional and said there was NO WAY we would work in Korea for up to one year because they had already applied for our visa. What!?

Yeah. So, our new recruiter contacted old recruiter and director and asked what was going on. They proceeded to say that we were shady, that they had done everything to make us happy, and we had put them out and left them without 2 teachers- just a few days before we were supposed to leave. This is true, and twisted. As we were only offered the position 2 weeks before they wanted us to be there. Of course, I do feel bad that the director is out teachers, if they are so desperatly in need of them. But, I had no choice but to follow my insticts, which said this job was shady. And now they are trying to ruin our chances of working in Korea.

We are screwed. Any advice?

kat2 · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Location: Busan, South Korea

Relax. Even if the school is trying to stop you from getting a new visa, immigration should understand and be willing to cancel your first visa. Usually, immigration will listen to why you are having disputes with your employer, and since you are in the right as they were asking you to work illegally, immigration should be fine with issuing you a new visa. Ask your new recruiter to call immigration. Does anyone even know if this "you won't work for a year" threat is true?

kprrok · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Location: KC

It's BS that you won't be allowed to work for a year. If your first school did send in the papers with a forged contract, contact IMMI and tell them this. That would get the school in trouble. The worst that could happen would be that IMMI has already issued the confirmation number (blue form) and you can't get another one for 90 days. But, I doubt that would happen if you tell them what the school did.

Have your recruiter contact IMMI for you and find out what's going on.

KPRROK

Samantha · Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Location: Jinan-dong Hwaseong

Pyongshin Sangja · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: I love baby!

Yeah, that's it. Exist in legal grey areas. Avoid registering. Good idea. Finding Mok-dong, Central Flippin' Seoul is really tough. Or you work for someone too shady to give you an afternoon off to go. Well done choosing your employer. Run around for 89 of your 90 days off saying that you don't think you should have to go to Immigration. Live without your ARC, bank account, cell phone, utility bill in your own name, driver's licence, local credit card or health insurance. Koreans should all bow down before your undocumented smiing face. You are a happy appendage of the local daycare.And when you don't get paid your monthly salary for wiping noses, don't bother calling the cops. You can't even prove that you work here.