Korean Job Discussion Forums

JLarter · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

So getting a little worried right now. My flight is booked for 1st September to to come to Korea. My documents got to Korea on the 11th August and were taken to immigration. How long should they take to get back to my boss with my number? I was hoping that I could go to London to get my passport done soon as they require five days to do their bit. It's all getting a bit tight!

PortHardy · Joined: 16 Aug 2006

Usually 7-10 days...if your director actually went and submitted the documents on time.

Sometimes they are really busy or lazy and don't do this until much later.

Also, did you pay for your flight? This is a big NO NO!

I have seen a few people get screwed as in they arrive having paid their own airafare. If the school finds a teacher in Korea that will accept the job without airfare or they find a better qualified applicant then they may fire you when you arrive.

This is why you MUST have the school pay for airfare. There is no reason for them not to.

This is not meant to make you panic...just be a little careful as I have seen it happen to people I know.

Also, call your school and get the PIN number date. When a school submits your documents, they are given a date of when your PIN will come out..so there is no excuse for your future boss to not know when the PIN number will come out unless he hasn't submitted your documents yet.

JLarter · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

She keeps mentioning the 23rd so I guess that's the PIN date or whatever, which would be about the length of time since submitted.
As for my flight, I think that is ok. It's what a couple of the other teachers there have done and they got paid back 2 days after arrival. I have no problems with the contract/airfare/school/director as everything seems good, reliable and I'm happy with it.

It's only that I'm the type of person who likes to know what's going on all the time, and don't like relying on other people to get stuff done, so when deadlines approach I get a little stressed!

Hotpants · Joined: 27 Jan 2006

Well, you better get used to things being done at the last minute! Wink

Immigration can take from about 10-20 days depending on which province you are going to. (Seoul is fastest). If things don't materialize in time, you could always get the flight over here as planned, collect the visa docs and then go to process your visa on a separate trip to Japan, which hopefully your employer would pay for. Just bring enough back up money in case plan A and B and XYZ all go awry and you have to pay to get back home again.

I once got my visa docs on the morning of a tourist visa expiry date, so I know it can be quite stressful. It's unfortunately often the way it goes.

JLarter · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

Cheers Hotpants, that's made me feel better about it. I had thought of going to get the visa done in japan if things didn't go to plan. My boss seems ace so I'm sure she'll sort things out.

wowser · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Location: Kyonggi do

Is it the school that you asked about a while ago????

RobinH · Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2006 3:37 am Post subject:

You'll really need to leave your impatience/expectation of efficiency at home. I'm not putting you down, I have a problem with this myself. I am currently waiting for my visa to be processed. I have got my visa confirmation number and have sent everything off to the Consulate, but my flight leaves on Saturday. I've been told my passport will get here by Friday. You can imagine the knots forming in my stomach. Shocked

JLarter · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

RobinH · Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2006 6:53 am Post subject:

Cheers!

JLarter · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

Panic over, I got my number. Off to London tomorrow.
Phoned the embassy and soe owman is meant to e-mail me later with what I need to take.
I think it's passport, visa number, some photos and thats it. Not sure how much it costs though.

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul