Korean Job Discussion Forums

[yogakelly]

I tried to board a United Airlines flight one way and they stated that I needed a visa. My potential employer claims I do not and they called United Airlines saying that it was their fault. I called the Korean Consuate that day they asked me if I had a contract then said I could go in on a travel visa. I then went into New York city consulate to see in person as this all seemed fishy. The employer last minute said to go in on a tourist visa. I did not appreciate this as it seemed they were in the process of processing all my paperwork then last minute informed me of this. I appreciate the fact that the position is only for 6 months and they really need me asap but I cannot risk getting deported on my own expense. They said one of the other teachers came in as a tourist then was flown to Japan but it seems the Korean government is no longer allowing this. So this pain in the neck recruiter I'm sure will be harassing me this Sunday trying to convince me to come. I mean they are out the plane ticket money if I do not come but I did not appreciate the sneakiness of the whole thing. The contract is for teaching Adult ESL teachers over since I have my MBA so I thought it would be a good opportunity for 6 months but this visa thing is driving me crazy.

Please advise.

[jadarite]

Tell them you will NOT fly over on any tourist visa. If they want you to work, they must provide you with the proper visa as required by THEIR government. Another option they can take is to wire you money which you will have to check is the same as a flight back to the US, not Japan or anywhere else.

Then it is your decision if you have to return to US to get your visa and E2 finalized. I figure 1.5 million won would be a good amount.

They will probably say no, so, you might as well forget them. Look for another school, and find another recruiter. Also, give us the name of this crappy recruiter so we can avoid them in the future.

[ttompatz]

immigration rules state that you must have either:
a) a visa
b) return or onward passage.

The airlines are usually the ones to enforce this rule since they are responsible for your repatriation and they get fined if you are refused entry.

2 choices:
a) get a 1 year open return ticket
b) get a proper visa (like you should have had in the first place).

For the most part a Japan visa run is NO LONGER an option due to the requirement of a consular interview in your home country before a work visa is issued.

.

[soviet_man]

They probably want you to work under the counter unlawfully until they sort out the visa. I know because I've been there, done that, and it didn't end pretty.

But the thing is, you can't teach lawfully without a visa, so there is no actual point being here until it is sorted out.

Two or three years ago it was realistic to come here without a work visa and then get it via a visa run to Japan.

But nowadays the paranoid visa rules make it not so simple.

Get it in your own country and have everything in absolutely order before coming over otherwise you are asking for trouble.

[TBirdMG]

Sorry to put this so bluntly, but if you have your MBA and STILL haven't learned to negotiate AND enforce a decent contract, then you're going to have a hard time surviving in Korea. I'd say dump this job opportunity altogether and start all over. Don't work if it feels fishy...and that's most of the gigs in Korea these days, anyways. Good luck.

[richardlang]

Ouch.

[ben-ja-mas]

I have done this with three different airlines so far flying to Korea, China and Thailand on one way tickets. Show the airline around $1000 cash and asked to sign a waiver form. This is where the airline will not accept responsibility for your repartriation.