Korean Job Discussion Forums

New Luck Toy · Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Location: Around the way.

I have been here for 7 months and have broken my contract. My boss has been cool about it, I have a letter of release.

My question is this - Do I need to go home to get a new visa?

I originally thought that if I submitted all the new documents required that I could do a visa run to Japan and change jobs pretty easily. A recruiter said that I would have to return to the US to get a new visa. What's the score?

Thanks!

fustiancorduroy · Joined: 12 Jan 2007

Even though you have the letter of release, you might not be able to change employers on your current visa because you worked at your previous job for less than 9 months. But maybe I am remembering incorrectly.

Recruiting Busan · Joined: 23 May 2008 Location: BUSAN

I can't say this will work in other cities but with the Busan Immigration Office, they will let you do a Japan Visa Run.

We had a teacher (first year in Korea) that changed schools after 2 months. The immigration office wanted all the documents again minus the criminal record check. Then off to Fukuoka and back with a new E-2.

If you haven't submitted a criminal record check for your previous job, then you will need that as well.

I know every immigration office has the ability to apply their own rules so you should call the one in the city you want to be working in and ask them directly.

I hope this helped.

New Luck Toy · Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Location: Around the way.

Thanks! Another question - do I need to leave the country before they will process my new visa paperwork? Or can I hang around for the 2 weeks or so that it takes to get a new visa issuance number and then run to Japan for the visa?

bish · Joined: 09 Jun 2007

WoBW · Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Location: HBC

The "9 month rule" only applies if you want to TRANSFER your visa to a new job - meaning you just go to immigration and they mark your ARC - no visa run required. The OP has a letter of release. He/she can cancel the visa, submit the documents and apply for a new visa. Then do a visa run to Japan.

bish · Joined: 09 Jun 2007

1: If you give the correct amount of notice does the employer HAVE To give a Letter of Release.

2: If you are 6 months into your 2nd year with a job and quit then can you do a VISA TRANSFER or does "the 9 month rule" apply to any 12 month period of a visa rather than period of a job?

Hope question 2 makes sense!