Korean Job Discussion Forums

[majoba82]

I am ready to sign a contract and have been forwarded the E-2 health stmnt for processing my VISA. It asks about mental health disorders, and while psychologically I am healthy (or as much as anyone else is), I do have epilepsy and take medication. Given the stigma associated with prescription meds and the lack of privacy practices in Korea, how would one get around this? If I lie on the health statement and my condition is uncovered later I imagine my contract will be terminated. Any suggestions would be great -- thanks

[Hollywoodaction]

Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but epilepsy is no more a mental health problem than cerebral palsy, Parkinson's disease, or migraines. It's not a mental illness, it's a neurological disorder.

[alex83]

I also have epilepsy and take medication.
I came completely clean about it to my recruiter, who then checked it over with immigration. They said there was no problem with my medication (though it took them a while to respond).
The issue I had was that I didn't want to fail the drug test, so I decided to play it safe (as safe as possible for Korea, anyway) and just disclose it.
I figure there's a better chance of something going wrong if they find the drug in your blood and you didn't say anything prior.
We'll see how it goes!

[Zaria32]

I have a serious lung condition that is not a threat to anyone else. When I was filling out the health self-assessment, and it asked about any other major illnesses, or words to that effect, I called the Immigration Office in Daegu, explained the situation, and asked them what to do.

(It wasn't as simple as this, it took some persistence and several phone calls) Anyway, what they finally said was if it's not a threat to public health leave it off.