Korean Job Discussion Forums

Otherside · Joined: 06 Sep 2007

I extended my visa the other day, costs came to 80,000. (for multiple entry and extension of Sojourn). I also had to go for a drug test at immigration (they sent me to a hospital, because my original medical check had a drug test, but not the one they wanted) cost me 10,000 + taxi's.

I submitted my school a receipt for W90,000, and they are umming and ahhing.

So who should pay this?

Some background, I changed from a hagwon mid-visa, so my school didn't pay for my flight to Korea (my Hagwon, took the money back...so in effect I paid). When I changed my visa over, the school reimbursed me the amount, I was NOT able to extend my visa when I transferred my visa as immigration said I can only do that when my visa will expire in 2 months.

My point of view is that the school should pay because
A. Doesn't the school pay the costs of getting an ARC / e-2 visa anyways?
B. Even if A is mute, the school would have had to pay my airfare.
C. If I was hired in Korea and cancelled my visa rather than transferring it, school would have paid for me to go to Japan and to apply for a visa.

Am I out of line or not?

sheba · Joined: 16 May 2005 Location: Here there and everywhere!

I reckon the school should pay for it... except for the multiple entry visa. Thats your choice and your expense.
Not sure about the taxi expense... you probably should have sorted out everything with them before you went, and even asked your boss to take you.
And just because they didnt have to pay for your flights or visa run, it doesnt mean they owe you anything... They may have overlooked other teachers and hired you in the first place because of that fact... but that being said I do think paying your visa is their responsibility.

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

What does your contract say? If it says nothing and YOU knew you had to deal with immigration, why didn't you add something?

If there is nothing in the contract, then you should have negotiated the matter BEFORE you went out-of-pocket.

After the fact you will be lucky (but it is not unheard of) to get anything reimbursed since it is NOT considered policy for a public school to pay those expenses.

.

polonius · Joined: 05 Jun 2004

We pay for our teachers medical test, and visa extension. We do not pay for the multiple re-entry visa.

What happened in the past was part of your last contract and really should have no bearing on this contract. Your school saved money on airfare for your first visa. If this was an issue, you should have brought it up then. If a teacher is in Korea already, schools will not pay for their original airfare.

As Sheba said, you should have sorted this out before hand. Yes, hindsight is 20/20. I wouldn't get terribly upset about it, as it really isn't all that much money. I am assuming that you like the job as you signed on for another year, so to tarnish a good relationship over 40,000 (extension of visa and medical test) isn't really worth it.

kprrok · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Location: KC

I've always paid for my own VISAs. I got reimbursed for airfare, hotels, and a bit for food, but not the actual VISA. That is my responsibility since I have to have it to work, not my employer.

As for the other expenses, the ME stamp should definitely be paid for by you as the school does not require that. The medical tests and taxis are small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things, so only fight for them if you really need the cash.

Bottom line, if it's a good school (which I'm kind of assuming it is since you're staying), don't bitch and moan too much or they'll think you're high-maintenance and a whiner.

Otherside · Joined: 06 Sep 2007

It's with a public school - so thanks for the clarification ttompatz.

Polonius, i didn't re-sign for another year...rather my visa was expiring mid contract. I agree it isn't a major deal, the purpose of this post was rather to see what the "norm" was before I took matters further - right now, it can easily be passed off as a misunderstanding.

I was told my visa expenses would be paid by the school - and they did pay the initial visa expenses of transferring my visa...obviously they didn't think it would happen twice (thanks for that KiMMI). Not to mention the reason I had to do a second drug test is the school's fault, as the original healt check (hiv, drug, etc) which the school sent me to take (and I paid for...), did not contain the right drug test..

At the moment, the matter is with my co-teacher, I gently explained my point and she said she'd look into it (she was the one, umming and ahhing), if she comes back sucking her teeth and explaining Korean culture...I'll let it slide.

EDIT: Kpprok, I never asked for the taxi money, rather i just included it to show my perspective and the fact I was out of pocket for 100,000+. Granted, I wouldn't have asked for the medical as it's only 10 bucks...but if submitting a claim, might as well do it properly. I wouldn't classify myself as a whiner, I seldom have complaints...and I'm pretty tactful at dealing with them...that being said you are right - it's not worth going to war over this/

Otherside · Joined: 06 Sep 2007

Update: My co-teacher called my recruiter (who was the one who 'promised' me the visa costs when I signed) He said that the school should pay the visa cost, but the multiple entry is for my tab. The medical got swept under the carpet..

All in all a positive result and I was pleasantly surprised the recruiter stepped with a fair answer.

PS. I didn't escalate the situation, my co-teacher is a newbie and we are both unfamiliar with the ins and outs of the situation - learning curve~