Korean Job Discussion Forums

[DavePuff]

I'm starting a new contract in the middle of February after having completed an exisiting contract with another school last year and went home. There's a lot of talk about criminal background checks and health certificates but my new school isn't giving me much information in regards to what paperwork I need.

So I have a few questions which I hope some of you can help clear up for me;

1) After obtaining an Australian Federal Police Clearance, does it have to be sent to the Korean Embassy in Canberra to be notarized?

2) Aside from filling in the health form they gave me, is there anything else involved with the health 'check'?

3) I hear talk of an interview at the Embassy. That's great if you live in Canberra, but what about everyone else? Any truth in that?

I appreciate any help you can give me.

[chris_J2]

There's also a Korean Consulate in Sydney.

I got my xray / medical done in September, before the new rules came in. It tested negative for TB, Lung disease / Aids, Hepatitis. Also got my criminal check done in Seoul. (free). Check the EPIK / GEPIK / SMOE websites for medical exam forms. I filled out mine in Korea. There's a clause at the end that fraudulent responses may result in dismissal & cancellation of your E2 visa. Search posts by CentralCali, who posted a medical form questionnare on Daves ESL recently.

[I-am-me]

Just stay away from korea for now. It's all bs what they are asking for anyhow. But if you do come..please ask for 2.5 starting salary or more!! I guarantee they will pay it.

[DavePuff]

I got a little information out of all that, so thanks everyone. There's another thing I'm unsure of. i was told that with my Criminal Backgrounf Check that it needs to be 'Apostille'. I have to confess I'm not sure what that involves. Can anyone shed some light on what it is and where I can get it done?

[chris_J2]

'Apostille' is NOT for the criminal record check. It's for your Uni degree.

Don't forget sealed transcripts too. Some good general info here:

http://www.eslleader.com/visae2notices.htm

[DavePuff]

Reading what you sent me the apostille IS for the Criminal Background check. You need one an apostille for a graduation verification letter IF you don't have an original copy.

I found through the Department of Foreign Affairs a place in Perth where I can get an apostille for my background check.

[PastImperfect]

Yes the police check needs an apostille attached to it. It takes DFAT a bit longer than with most documents because they check its authenticity with the Federal Police (an Australian police check is a very unofficial looking B&W print-out).

The DFAT office in any state can attach the apostille and they'll courier it to you overseas if you need them too.

Good info here:
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/authen.html

I think you only need the apostille for your degree if you are supplying a copy of your degree, not for the original. But I can't confirm this.

If you've had an E-2 visa before and it was issued by the Korean consulate in Australia you can probably dodge the interview. You have a medical check-up once you're in Korea to get your ARC card.

The Korean embassy in Canberra is pretty helpful, I'd contact them if you're unsure about anything.

[chris_J2]

The Busan EPIK Medical Examin Report asks the physician to check for the following under Past History:

TB
Malaria
Other communicable disease
Epilepsy
Renal Disease
Cardiac disease
Diabetes
Drug Allergy
Psychosis
Functional Disorder in extremities
Others. If yes, please specify.

The blood test covers the following:

Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
CBC
ALT/AST
VDRL
HIV

The chest x-ray is for the following:

Lung: normal/impaired
Cordiomegaly: normal/impaired
Describe the condition of the applicant's lung.

Drug screening is for the following:

TBPE
Canivinoid

Alos requested is:

Date of birth
Age
Gender
Height in centimeters
Weight in kilograms
Bllod pressure
Pulse rate
Eyesight with and without glasses/contacts
Color blindness: normal/impaired
Hearing: normal/impaired
Speech: normal/impaired

Finally, the doctor is asked, "In view of the applicant's history and the above findings, is it your observation his/her halth status is adquate to go abroad to participate in the EPIK?" The permitted answers are: Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor.

I just got my renewal contract packate today on my way out the door after everyone was dismissed on the last day of school. That's actually better prior planning than last year. The school secretary had to call me while I was on vacation in Texas just a couple of days before everything was due! I got the information above from the medical report form included in that package.

I have no idea what the following mean:

CBC
VDRL
ALT/AST
Canivinoid (sic)

CBC = Complete Blood Count (blood test)

ALT = alanine aminotransferase (aka ALT, aka SGPT): an enzyme produced by the liver. Abnormally high blood levels of ALT are released during liver inflammation, and may indicate liver disease or damage. ALT levels are monitored to gauge drug-related liver toxicity; a normal level is below about 50 IU/L.

AST = Aspartate Aminotransferase. "An enzyme that catalyzes the reversible transfer of an amino group,,, concentration is elevated when damage to tissue cells, especially of the heart and liver, causes a release of the enzyme. AST values are also increased in some muscle diseases, such as enzootic muscular dystrophy."

VDRL = Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (blood testing for syphilis)

Cannabinoid: A chemical compound in cannabis. or marijuana. Tetrahydrocannabinol is one of the cannabinoids.

[DavePuff]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the help on this subject. I can't believe how difficult they've made it to find out what you need just to get an E2 visa.

As for the medical check, I'm sure some unwanted results may come from it!