Korean Job Discussion Forums

Matman · Joined: 02 Jun 2006

Back in the old days there were loads of advertisements for "URGENT" positions in Hagwons. Typically one would make the application and within a few hours the agent would be calling you, then the boss, then you would book a flight but they would pay for it with their credit card and you could be in Korea within days. You would then do a visa run a few weeks after arriving.

I'm currently in Thailand winding down a tour of SE Asia but I'm wondering whether these URGENT/ASAP jobs are still available. It obviously involves working without a visa for a few weeks so I'm wondering if the crackdown has brought this practice to an end. I could apply for a visa here but with the criminal record check thing that could involve hanging around for weeks so ideally I want to just get on a plane ASAP and do a visa run after I arrive. I do see some "ASAP" jobs advertised but I'm not sure if that means I could be on the plane tomorrow like in the old days.

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Matman · Joined: 02 Jun 2006

Thanks for the detailed information. I'm trying to read through the stickies but at 50 pages it's difficult to find clarity. Could you give me some advice about the best (not necessarily the strictly legally correct) way of going about it?

From what I've read so far it seems I would have to go back to the UK and start the application process there.

Alternatively, I could apply in Thailand and get the visa here but there seems some ambiguity about whether this is possible or not.

anyangoldboy · Joined: 28 Sep 2007

Don't listen to Spliff...He really doesn't know what he is talking about...Keep searching my friend

ontheway · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 6:12 am Post subject:

If you have had an E2 visa before, you MIGHT be able to file all the documents and get your visa by doing a visa run to Japan or somewhere close by.

If you have never had an E2 visa before then you will have to return to your home country to have an interview at the Korean Embassy or Consulate before you can obtain your E2.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

IF you have had an E2 before AND
you do NOT have any record of infractions in your immigration file AND
you have your documents in order (including CRC)

you CAN do a visa run or obtain your visa while in a 3rd country (Japan or Thailand).

IF you have NOT had an E2,
If you DO have a record of an immigration infraction,
IF you do NOT have your documents in order (including CRC)

You will NOT be able to make a visa run. You will have to return to your home country (who issued your passport) for a consular interview.

Oh, AND... there is always the option of coming on a tourist stamp and working illegally but the risks of getting caught are getting higher - more enforcement.

Is that the clarification you seek?

.

Matman · Joined: 02 Jun 2006

I have an unused E2 in my passport from 2006. It was cancelled by SMOE due to me deciding not to take the job, so that's not really something I would want to tell a potential employer, unless I tried to bluff my way around it. How exactly would this help anyway?

Thanks, anyangoldboy for the words of encouragement. Can you be a bit more specific? I really need to make a quick decision about whether to return the UK, teach in Thailand or come to Korea - which is my preferred option but looking very shaky with the new visa rules.

anyangoldboy · Joined: 28 Sep 2007

Think you will have to go back to the UK if you got it cancelled and didn't use it...Might bring up some questions the embassy might want to ask you

Matman · Joined: 02 Jun 2006

Thanks ttompatz, that seems to clarify things. I've had two E2 visas - one back in 2002 and the one in 2006 that was never used (but was properly cancelled by the SMOE) so hopefully the 2006 one will suffice.

I wouldn't mind an arrangement with an employer who's flexible with the rules but it remains to be seen how available such jobs are.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

ytuque · Joined: 29 Jan 2008 Location: I drink therefore I am!

bettyspaghetti · Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Location: Seoul (Mokdong)

I did my consulate interview on the phone and I had to call them. If you have a contact in your country there is no real way to prove where you are at the time. Just make sure that there isn't a consulate in your contacts state and you could ostensibly do everything from asia... they only allow phone interviews if you are out of state...