Korean Job Discussion Forums

[matt__]

I'm trying to get my documents in order to get my visa squared so I can start a job with SMOE on March 1. Unfortunately due to my own procrastination and a lack of concrete details, it looks like I might be unable to get everything I need, so I was hoping that recent recruits from the UK could go through each step they made in getting their visa, for my benefit and the benefit of other would-be ESL teachers based in the UK.

For instance, I've read on this board that an apostille is required for your criminal background check, but my recruiter tells me that it isn't. People who started work this year or since the E2 regulations were introduced - what was your experience?

Also, I'm having to fly to London in two days to get an apostille for my degree, but I'm not sure exactly what is meant to happen with my actual certificate and any copies I have of it. The information at the FCO website is helpful but not explicit. I had a solicitor sign and stamp the back of my actual degree certificate, so what do I do with it when I get the Foreign and Commonwealth Office? The solicitor wasn't entirely sure himself. Do they stamp a photocopy (I have several high quality colour copies) or stamp the actual degree itself? Did you have to send your original certificate to Korea?

Did you have to go to the Korean consulate in London to interview? I only found out about this step recently, and frankly I doubt I can afford another flight from Belfast to London just to fulfill another bureaucratic hurdle.

Is it unreasonable of me to ask my recruiter to look for work slightly later in the year, April or May? At the moment my bank account is running on fumes, but at the end of the month I'll have about �2000 to get everything I need done. This is complicated by the fact that I've already signed and mailed my contracts to SMOE.

I realize this ground has been covered a million times on this board, but if we can get confirmation from people who have recently been through the process themselves rather than speculation then the board will at least have a base of, at least temporarily, reliable information specific to the UK.

[matt__]

My recruiter now tells me that if I send my original degree I won't need to go through the apostille process. Is that right?

[Christinateacher]

Criminal check needs to be notarised by a solicitor and apostilled at the Foreign office. You need to send the original to Korea with your other documents and a photocopy to the Korean embassy with your visa application.
I didn't have my degree notarised or apostilled. I sent my original certificate to Korea (keep a photocopy for the embassy), your university transcripts (sent from uni in a sealed envelope stamped across the seal) verify your degree.
If you have worked in Korea before you will not need an interview at the Embassy, if you are a first timer you may need an interview.

I don't have an E-2 visa yet, I am still in the process of getting one...I started trying to get my documents in December. I am currently waiting for my visa confirmation number so until I have that I can't guarantee that what I am saying is completely accurate. This is what I have done on instruction from my recruiter (except for his mate in London took my criminal check to the Foreign office for me). Sorry I can't be more definate.

[Christinateacher]

My agent has just informed me that police subject access forms do not need to be notarised by a solicitor. Just stamped by the Foreign office.

[Savant]

I have gone through the experience of posting all my documents to Korea this week.

On Monday, I went to the FCO's Legalisation Office with both parts of my Criminal Background Check (CBC).

I have 2 parts to my CBC:

1) Letter about information held about me on the Criminal History System. (My local police force)

2) Letter about information held about on the Police National Computer.

Before even getting your documents to the Apostille counter they are first checked by a clerk who advises if they are valid to receive an apostille. He wasn't sure if I could get an apostille for my local police force letter as he thought I might need that one notarised first but told me to ask at the apostille counter. So, he gave me a ticket and asked me to wait my turn.

Upon approaching the counter and handing over both parts of my CBC, the guy asked if I needed both parts to have an apostille. Wasn't really sure what would be acceptable to Korean Immigration so I went ahead and asked for both to be apostilled.

After getting my documents back they had stuck apostille certificates on the back of my CBC with a lovely FCO seal.

If you haven't done so already remember to get copies of your CBC as you need to send the copies to the Korean Embassy as part of your Visa application.

As for the degree, I sent the original to Korea along with a Degree Verification Form that my recruiter sent me.

I hope this information proves useful.