Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jellobean]

I've got a friend who would like to come in January and work a camp and then transition to a public school in March.

If he gets on the ball and gets a public school job by December (i.e he knows before he takes the camp what job he will have afterwords) how would he go about the visa sequence? Also, will he be able to interview before he leaves in January for the E-2 (Does a C-4 now require an interview?)? Will he need to do a visa run to change jobs afterwords?

Any input on how to make this work would be helpful. Thanks.

[Jubalum]

I just went through this about two months ago.

If your friend will work for a public school, then he can switch his C4 to an E2 without leaving Korea. Although, it's a little more complicated than usual. The first person at the immigration office (in Seoul) insisted that I had to leave the country in order to switch, but after some persistence, they issued me the E2.

Your friend will have to get two criminal background checks - one for the C4 and one for the E2. Also, the C4 doesn't require a medical check, but the E2 does. However, your friend will have to submit medical check certificate at the time of application (usually, teachers have 90 days after arriving in Korea). So make sure he gets the medical check while he is working at the camp.

The most difficult part of this process is obtaining the school registration certificate. In my experience (with SMOE), the public schools will not let you know what school you'll be at until after you complete orientation. However, in order to be issued the E2, you have to provide immigration with a copy of the schools registration - so you need to know the school in advance. If your friend explains the situation to the education office, then they should be able to accommodate him.

I received my C4 through the Korean Consulate in Chicago and they didn't require an interview. However, I have had an E2 previously, so I don't know if this is typical or not. From what I was told, public school employees don't need to formally interview for the E2 because they are "invited workers" but your friend will have to show immigration his notice of employment.

The whole process is kind of a headache, but you can do it.

I hope this helps.

[Jubalum]

Jellobean,

I received your PM, but unfortunately, I can't respond due to the restrictions.

You're welcome for the help. Here is a complete list of items your friend will/might need:

1) Passport
2) Photo (3x4 cm)
3) Notice of Appointment
4) Contract (both from the C4 and the E2 employers)
5) Medical Report
6) School Registration Certificate
7) Letter or Release from the C4 employer (even if the contract is finished)
8 ) Completed Visa Application (these are at the immigration office)
9) w110,000 (or w70,000 without the multiple entry permit)

Make sure that your friend makes at least 2 copies of everything, because he may need to submit a copy of some of the documents to his school or education office. Also, I was never asked for the letter of release, but I was told to bring it by immigration - so better safe than sorry I guess.

If you have any questions, just post them here and I'll be happy to help. Alternately, just send me a PM with your email address and I'll be happy to respond that way as well.