Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Perumexican]

Hey gang,

I last taught in Korea in 2003, and it's been a while since I've been on Dave's. Some things have changed (new board), but some haven't (Wild West feeling to teaching in Korea).

Anyways...

So I got married to my Korean sweetheart stateside. I remember that all my married buddies in Korea had an F-2. I read the posts related to F-2 visas, looked at Korean government web sites, and figured it's not for me since I'm not already in the country and am not establishing residency. I then checked out the Hi Korea immigration site and that cleared up some information for me and it looks like I should get an F-1. I tried my hardest to find something specific to F-1 visas here without any luck. This is probably what I need, right? My wife's still a Korean citizen although she just got her green card.

As for the E-2, I'm only looking for several months work from May to August as I'm a grad student now. I understand that with an F-2 you don't need a letter from the school when you terminate employment. Would it be the same with an F-1? Would I be able to work part-time at several places if I couldn't get a job at one school?

Wow, criminal background checks and apostilles, huh? A few more things have changed.

Thanks!

[ttompatz]

Come to Korea.
Bring proof of the marriage and her Korean citizenship.
Change your status from B1 (tourist entry) to an F2-1 and get a job.
Your wife will be your sponsor (not your employer). Intended residence length doesn't matter (3 months, 6 months, 2 years).

Skip the crap with E2s, apostilles, CRCs and medicals.

.

[pkang0202]

[Ut videam]

Public schools required medical checks and background checks long before Immi did. So, if you get a public school job, you'll need them�even if you're on an F-2. The major difference is that you should be able to skip all the apostille rigmarole.

[Perumexican]

Thanks for getting back to me, guys.

Medical check too? Do I get to cough?

I'd like to line up a job first, so I may have to do all the paperwork. See, my in-laws are paying for our trip, but it'd be a bit much to ask them to pay our mortgage back home! So my wife doesn't want to commit to three months in the ROK unless I have a job, which I think is fair. Otherwise we might only stay a month. I need more time to hit up Kyochon Chicken, all the bunshikdang, and the ddeokbeokki stand at the bus terminal in Gyeongju.

So I hope someone can tell me if an F-1, despite the different requirements, would give me the same benefits as an F-2 (e.g. my wife's my sponsor). Also, I haven't seen on the Korea Embassy USA site, the Korea Atlanta consulate site or the Hi Korea immigration site any information on the F-2-1 visa. I've read about F-2 and F-2-1 on this site, but I don't see how they're different.

[valkyrian2]

You cannot work on an F1.

F2-1 (married to a Korean national) allows you to stay, work and play without the restrictions of a work visa. You can get or change your job without the involvement and permission of immigration. You are not tied to your employer because your wife is your sponsor (don't get divorced).

.

[Perumexican]

Okay, thanks. So how about the differences between an F-2 and an F-2-1?

[bassexpander]

I'm in the US on vacation, and I have an F-2. If I were to get a public school job later this year (doubt I would -- just thinking ahead for every eventuality) and needed a CRC despite having an F-2, would it be smart for me to get a CRC before I leave the USA? How long are they good for? I wouldn't need an apostille, right?

[DHC]

You cannot work on an F-1 visa. The F-2 allows you to work at any job that you are qualified for the same as a national. The F-2 visa is guaranteed by your spouse.

[Scott in Incheon]

You should be able to get your F-2 in your own country before you come to Korea. I was living in Hong Kong and I got my F2 while I was still living there. It was only a short term if I remember correctly and then I got it extended when I got to Korea.