Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Another One]

Hi.

My employee has sent me a visa issuance number which says that my 'status of sojourn' is E1. I havent found much info around, just that it is a visa for professors (I have a PhD so that might explain it).

But, my question is if this kinda visa offers any advantages compared to the E2?

Thanks a lot.

[the_beaver]

More job security and less rigmarole for getting the visa.

[Another One]

But, it is a 1-year contract... This is why I am still wondering about accepting the offer or not...

[bassexpander]

What difference in job security does it offer?

[Pyongshin Sangja]

I have one. I am no more secure than the E-2's I work with.

[bassexpander]

Did they switch you MA's over to the E-1 this year so you could do paperwork more quickly? Or were the fees lower?

[Another One]

expander,

will you change the text below your name if with an E1 there were less hoops?

[kiwiana]

Advantages for E1 holders:

1. No hoops, i.e., interviews at consulate, criminal check etc.

2. If you're on an E1 and hold a driver's license issued from a country that does not recognize a Korean driver's license (i.e., no bilateral agreement), you don't need to take the written test (as someone on an E2 would), only the aptitude test. This is much easier and less expensive.

3. Much easier to get a Korean credit card (with credit!). KEB provides a good one, by the way. Korean credit cards have their advantages many places don't accept international credit cards, take the train stations for example.

4. Tell me, Tell me t t t t t �

[Ut videam]

[Another One]

Kiwiana

You seem to have more advantages in your pocket... Please, keep on...

Any idea on how many years you can be on a E1? Is there really a maximum number of years you can stay at a Korean Uni.?

[PRagic]

1) Check out Korea's immigration web site. Wouldn't even a simple search for 'E-1 Visa Korea' turn up something?

2) Welcome aboard.

[kiwiana]

kiwiana wrote:
2. If you're on an E1 and hold a driver's license issued from a country that does not recognize a Korean driver's license (i.e., no bilateral agreement), you don't need to take the written test (as someone on an E2 would), only the aptitude test. This is much easier and less expensive.

ut Videam wrote:
This isn't accurate. Driver's license regulations take no note whatsoever of visa status. As long as you have a valid ARC and a valid license from another country, you can trade it in for a Korean license. If exchanging a foreign license, the road test is waived. Everyone has to take a cursory medical exam (vision and some basic motor skills) administered at the driver's license agency. Whether or not one has to take the written test depends on bilateral agreements, e.g., Canadians don't have to take it, Americans do. The written test is a joke, by the way: 20 multiple choice questions, they give you 50 minutes to finish, and 70% is a passing grade.

Korean Standard Manual (for driver license test's), issued 2005, page 15:

"Those holding a driver's license issued from a country that recognizes a Korean driver's license [are] -Exempted from all the tests but an aptitude test" (p. 15)

New Zealand, for example, has no such agreement with Korea (and our roads are safer for it no doubt), therefore a kiwi on an E2 with a valid driver's license must take both the aptitude test and the written test. This happened to me several years ago. Also it goes on to state...

"However, in this case those whose resident permit is... professor... take only the aptitude test according to the Immigration Control Law" (p. 15)


Aptitude test=the one you mentioned ut Videam, "a cursory medical exam (vision and some basic motor skills)"

So, unless my Korean standard manual is out of date and the rules have changed, my original post is correct.

As for your last question Another One, Having an E1 does not have any direct official advantage in that case. But, if you have a master's in TESOL, for example, in addition to a great work record, it could be seen in your favor by the uni and they may consider signing you on for more than the regular years. The problem is that most uni's use the private pension system that, after you work for the uni for 5 years, goes into hyperdrive and the uni has to fork out more cash for you.

[agoodmouse]

[kiwiana]

I'm not sure of the specifics--Best get a Korean to call the Korean private pension scheme that you are affiliated with. But I do know that at the end of the fifth year contributions to the fund from the institution are made at a higher rate and that rate is retroactive, that is, takes effect from the date you started at the institution. It results in a substantial increase in your pension fund. This is the reason why so many uni's don't offer contracts over a longer period.

[bassexpander]

Thanks Kiwiana. Good information.

Unfortunately, most newbees come here on E-2s, not E-1s. It won't make life easier for them.