Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cubanlord]

Okay, the cat is out of the bag. My wife and I are currently applying to another institution for employment. Having said this (and read several different threads on Dave's), I decided to find out for myself what the dilly is on this whole criminal background check. I called the Chuncheon Immigration Office today and spoke to the supervisor (the "master" as the employee who picked up the phone addressed him as ). The supervisor's name is Park Oo Kyun. This is what was explained to me:

For those already working in Korea and wishing to start a new job, you need the following:

A local police report from your country, or, the FBI background check. Either one you get would have to be authenticated via Apostille (I gave the information on this earlier in some other thread...I'd have to find it).

or....(and this is a BIG "or" that I will be verifying tomorrow...)

you can go to the US embassy in Seoul and have a background check performed there, in which case, no Apostille would be needed.

Also, medical checks and the usual are needed (i.e. transcripts, original diploma...etc.).

Also, those already in Korea WOULD NOT HAVE TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY TO GET A NEW VISA AS LONG AS S/HE HAS THE LETTER OF RELEASE FROM THE OLD EMPLOYER.

That came straight from the horse's mouth. Needless to say, I am staying up late tonight to get the paperwork done through my local police department back home and having it sent to get "apostilled". Also, I am going to call the US Embassy tomorrow and see if I can get a criminal background check done there (for some reason, the guy seems to think I can , though I highly doubt that). Either way, it won't take nearly as long as the FBI check (***NOTE***) which isn't necessary.

So, those of us using the Chuncheon immi. office, there you go. The name and the info.

[StephannieK]

Yes, the Seoul US embassy does have a FBI branch office. But they dont do crim. checks, you'd still have to have to follow instructions on the fbi.gov website. Although, having it sent through the Seoul branch might eliminate the apostille, yet will still take up to 28 weeks to have your report in hand.

[cubanlord]

[cazador83]

maybe i'm stupid, but what is an apostille? like a seal or something?