Korean Job Discussion Forums

stuey11 · Joined: 13 Jun 2003 Location: Seoul

I have worked in Korea for over 2 years at the same school on an E-2 visa, recently i returned home for a while and then returned to Korea to find work on a Tourist Visa, this toursit visa is due to expire on Oct 17th

It took a while finding a job and eventually found work at a brand new school about a month ago........for some reason the school cannot get a business license ( they only realised it was in correct 3 days ago) therefore cannot issue the relavent documnets for a visa run....

This has been worrying the boss....anyway she came in today and said she knows a boss of another Hagwon nearby and she is planning to get me to sign "fake" contract with her friends school...send me to Japan and get a visa using that "fake" contract.....then when this school finally gets the license, cancel that visa and contract....then send me again to Japan to get a visa on the correct contract....

i have never done a visa run of any kind but this sounds seriously dodgy, especially after reading some of the recent posts about strict immigration these days...

advice appreciated.....

NearlyKorean · Joined: 15 Mar 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ

It is dodgy.

I wouldn't do it myself. You can leave and come back on another tourist visa.

If you sign the "fake" contract, it could be used as the real one. At least, I would make sure the conditions were the same on both contracts.

Also, if they are going to operate without a business license, what would happen if immigration came in? You could be found working illegally as you are not working for the person you have the contract with.

The above is just my opinion, but it seems there is so much to go wrong and so little to go right.

RedRob · Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Location: Narnia

If they are cool people and seem flexible, ask 'em to pay for a quick day trip to Japan, which will give you both a bit more breathing room.

Luck, R

Lost Seoul · Joined: 10 Jan 2003

"Fake" contract

Sounds bad.

If this contract is "fake" what kind of rights do you have whilst working under this "fake" contract? Is the monthly salary its promising "fake?"

Some teachers in Korea with legitimate contracts have found it hard to get the terms of their contract adhered to, if its considerd "fake" it will be impossible.

Also whilst under this "fake" contract as far as immigration are concerned you are working at the school that is supplying the "fake" contract not the school you are actually working at. As such you would face fine and deportation if found out.