Korean Job Discussion Forums

[AJR]

I had a job offer I was interviewing for when an unlikely opportunity arrived. I ended up signing both contracts and sending documents for both positions. The visa issuance number has arrived for the first job and the second job should clear in a few days, unless...
Do I have to firmly cancel the first job in order to clear immigration for the second job? I have heard that no visa is activated until it is stamped into my passport. So then, theoretically I can have two visa issuance numbers?
I have politely warned the first job that I may not arrive and they should get someone else but my white lie allowed them to extend me a courtesy, keeping me in play. I am willing to let the hammer fall, that is clearly refuse the job, if it is necessary before the next visa number is issued, but in all reality, I wouldn't mind having a backup.
Will my backup be a self-fulfilling prophesy (cause my next visa to be denied or delayed) or can I just let it ride until the second visa is stamped into my passport?

[blonde researcher]

Once a visa issuance number is in the immigration computer system, as your first job now is, it has a life span of 90 days before it expires if it is not activated by you getting the stamp in your passport
This will mean that when the second school goes to issue you a visa number from immigration the first visa you have will show up in the computer system and it wont be able to happen. The first visa will stand for 90 days.

The only exception to this would be if one of your visas is for a public school and is from EPIK or an office of education. These jobs have a notice of appointment sytem and do not have a visa number.
The notice of appointment wont be picked up at this stage as it is not in the immigration system until after you go to your Koream embassy to get the stamp in your passport.

Once you get a stamp in your passport, it is active for 90 days only if you do not enter Korea during this time . Once you enter Korea it is active for 12 months.

If both jobs are for hagwons or have visa number processes you have given yourself a problem - the first visa will be the one that counts. (Unless you used 2 different nations passports you had for the process)

[AJR]

This is not good news. Actually the second job is a Public School job but I am not sure they are using the NOA system. It is a District Office of Education position in Seoul and they seemed unfamiliar with the Notice of Appointment terminology when I used it. Is it possible that although public, they will use the visa issuance number? Is there any action I can take to clarify the situation?

[AJR]

So while I was asleep I got an email and phone call from my recruiter saying that there was a problem, that immigration couldn't give the visa number (for the district education office job) because of the prior visa request (for a hagwon). Because we didn't get to talk I couldn't explore with her the options of canceling the first visa (which has not been activated).
Does anyone know if there is a quick way to cancel an unactivated visa and get a second issuance number for a different job? Time is of the essence- I was supposed to arrive within the week.

[Carla]

[AJR]

I called the Korean consulate in NYC because they are open and they thought it would be no problem but that they can't do it- I must call immigration and maybe the 1st academy in Korea. I guess I am going to push through with my attempt later on tonight (during Korean working hours).
Either bad information (from these boards)or my misunderstanding got me in this position in the first place.
The reason I am posting is that I am (vainly?)looking for someone who can say from experience that it is or isn't possible to quickly cancel an un-activated visa.
Perhaps I will screw up both prospects and move into a family member's basement?

[Carla]

[AJR]

Carla- I appreciate your perspective on this. I did explore the ethical nature of this on an earlier thread (http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=162210&highlight=) and I have to say I got completely different answers. Everyone seemed to think it was just 'bizness'.
It was a mishap coupled with me trying to do the best for myself that this situation even happened at all. Had I more knowledge and daring and ethical back-bone, I might have avoided this. Also, some of the technical advice I got earlier appears to be incorrect. All the same, I have to take responsibility for my situation and actions. It seems that no matter what I do I will be letting someone down and I may possibly screw everybody, including myself in the process. I do feel awful and yes, I am learning some lessons. It's also true that life will go on at those schools.
If I am the only person reading this who has been in this position, then at least I am posting my experience.
If someone else has been through something like this and sorted it out at immigration, or however, please share your experiences. Thanks