Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Gribbs]

I have an E-2 visa and I am leaving my job after 6 months. I can get a new job, starting march 10th, and I am wondering if the criminal record check stuff will be an issue for me?? ie. i dont wanna have to get one from home (canada) if i don't need too.

any ideas?? thanx for your help

[chachee99]

Hmm from my understanding your current contract needs to be 75% completed or else immigration will not transfer your visa. I'm pretty sure you will have to return back to Canada and go through all the garbage of getting a CRC and health check.

[Gribbs]

hmm thanks. Anyone else know of this? My contract has ended upon mutual agreement between myself and the director. She is willing to give me the 'release' form or whatever it's referred to. Sounds as if another visa wouldnt be a problem ????

[JasonC]

To my knowledge, to make it for the March 15th deadline, you have to have completed 9 months of your contract with no issues. This has been our experience with a few people, so I don't think it will work out for you.

Jason

http://www.asknow.ca

[Ut videam]

[DongtanTony]

Based on my understanding...depending on which Immi official...or office you talk to...

1. You have an E2 visa issued under "existing guidelines." You should be exempt from the first time teacher interview.

2. The health check form is a "downloadable" form...it is a self check form...I don't have HIV...I don't have any known diseases...yada yada...you actually conduct your health check here 90 days from your arrival in country...so maybe 90 days after your job change.

3. CHRC...CBC...whatever you may refer to it as...as long as...1) it's within 3 months of your visa application...and 2) go the extra step and have an apostille's authentication on it.......since the type of CHRC has not been legislated, as of yet, in Korea...local or state CHRC checks...from back home...are fine...as long as they are deemed "authentic." These can be done...by a vast majority of state and local agencies...via email or snail mail. Local police agencies...in Korea...also have mechanisms to do this (with fingerprints) while you are here in Korea........DO IT NOW....mail....verifications....yada yada....FIND OUT WHAT LOCAL IMMI in your new area wants...get your new director to specify...that way...if local immi says "B"...and they told your director "A"....he/she will bi**h moan and complain all day until they give in.

4. Apostille's authentication on diplomas....your notarized copies from your original employment...valid for only six months...is probably invalid by now...thus...you'll need to have copies get an attached apostille form affixed to them. An extra step...but....Fed Ex and DHL are easily accessible here.

Those are the expectations...as far as what I've learned from Immi...and my director's contacts up here near Suwon Immi....but....they seem to change from office to office...and official to official....HAVE YOUR NEW BOSS FIND OUT WHAT YOU NEED....SPECIFICALLY!

[JasonC]

Regarding UT videam's reply: That would be great for the OP if that's the case as it would help the situation out for him/her. I'm not sure about all school boards because I deal mainly with GEPIK, but I know that for GEPIK, they were requiring the background check and medical before the new rules were implemented and I am sure that they will require the criminal background check whether immi requires it or not. So, even if immi allowed the transfer under 9 months for public schools, at least for the GEPIK program, the school board itself will want the background check. I can't speak for EPIK or SMOE as I'm not as involved.

Perhaps the best situation is if the OP could get away with just having to get the background check but not having to do the interview. If that's the case, then that would be great. Best bet would be to start the CBC process and contact immi to see if he/she can make the transfer to a public school without the interview back home as UT videam suggested.

Jason

[WoBW]

I just transferred to a private elementary school after only 7 months of my old contract. No background check or medical required, and I extended my visa for another year.

I don't think you can do it if you move to a hagwon, though. Then the 10 month rule applies.

GEPIK I think require a background check, I'm just glad that my private school didn't ask for it - otherwise I'd be screwed I think.

[Gribbs]

If the school asks to see a CBC I will be ok since mine are here but old, but I am under the impression that it is needed as a document for IMMI ....if i am wrong tahat would be grand lol.

thanks to all of you for helping out...its definitely crunch time for me

[dp3000]

This is so damn confusing to me.

I get a different answer everywhere I go -

My contract expires March 1 but my visa doesn't expire until May 8.

I have found a new job. I'm ready to sign on the dotted line next week once my contract is finished.

I'm in the system having been here for the last two years. My current and future jobs are at hagwons (yes, I like hagwons - must've had good luck so far).

My question is this:

Once my contract is complete, can I still transfer my visa (on March 8 - 60 days until expiration) or does the fact that I'm done with the contract mean that the remaining 2 months on the visa become void, and thus non-transferable?

I've been given answers both ways.

Is there anyway around going back to the States, as I've already paid for and made travel arrangements in Asia leaving March 11?

Thanks to any of you out there that can shed some light on this.

[Gribbs]

thanks for hijacking my thread buddy

[Netz]

[Zutronius]

[dp3000]

[dp3000]

by the way, you'll need to take care of all that because you've only done 6 months, unless you've already been here for a year prior. i don't think there is anyway around it - even if both parties are willing to cooperate. my source on that is someone in my school's admin. who talked to immigration while trying to find answers with me. whether thats 100%, i don't know...