Korean Job Discussion Forums

Captain Bad · Joined: 24 Mar 2008

So, I'm having a bit of an issue here. I've called the immigration office, in their all knowing powers of foreigners, and of course I get the usual runaround, not that I wasn't expecting it.

Situation:
My contract ends February 28th, 2009. My E-2 visa expires on February 21st, 2009.

Thinking, they, I'll just get an extension for 1 week no problem. Ha.
They are now telling me I had to get the extension a month prior to the last day of my visa... what?
I've extended my period of sojourn to 1 month, and I'm being hinted by the immigration office that I can't work.

That part I don't mind so much, what does concern me is if I do take their suggestions and hinting about "not working" those days, isn't that a possible mark on the record saying I did work? I mean, the school keeps records better than these guys at immigration.

Will this damage any chances of getting a future job in Korea? (I got this job through EPIK by the way.)

cruisemonkey · Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 8:45 pm Post subject:

Captain,

Your post is unclear... have you extended your period of sojourn for non-work purposes in order to finish your contract? If so, your action is illegal and may have future repercussions with regard to any visa. However, we're talking about K-Immi and nobody (not even K-Immi) knows the answer to any question - every officer, office and branch office is different and makes up their own 'rules'. Rolling Eyes

The 'trouble' with PS positions is they want newbies in K-land for orientation before their contract starts. Thus, the employee's period of sojourn expires before the contract... but they don't give a shit because it's your problem, not theirs. The vast majority of Ks can't plan five minutes ahead... planning for almost a year in the future is out of the question and the 'law of unintended consequences' will always apply while employers' and K-Immi's actions are at odds.

Captain Bad · Joined: 24 Mar 2008

My Visa expires on February 21st, technically, right now, I'm not in violation of anything or that's what immigration tells me and we all know how they are.

My contract ends on February 28th, but my flight doesn't leave until March 1st so I though, hey, I might as well extend my period of sojourn and call that one day after my stay in Korea a sight seeing tourist day.

So I guess since today is February 17th, and my visa doesn't expire until the 21st, there's still time to find an immigration officer that doesn't have their head all the way up their rears.

Did I just break some sort of visa rule by extending my period of sojourn to March 1st?

cruisemonkey · Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 9:09 pm Post subject:

Captain Bad · Joined: 24 Mar 2008

Well the reason for the extension of sojourn for March 1st is because I need to get all my stuff together and take care of personal stuff the day after my contract ends.

If I get this work visa extended like I know I should've even though they say I don't need to, I won't be in violation of any of their stupid rules right?

DC in Suwon · Joined: 14 Dec 2008

Since all, (or at least most), of us who go to teach in Korea speak English, don't you think Korea would make some sort of office that deals as a middleperson between the e/f visas and their problems? That would seem to clear up a lot of issues, particularly immigration, etc. If it's so important to Korea to have English being taught in their schools, shouldn't they have done this a long time ago? If they have, how come people don't go directly to them with these types of issues/questions?

cruisemonkey · Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 9:19 pm Post subject:

To be 'legal' you need an extension for the purpose of work (from the 21st to the 28th); then, an extension for non-work purposes until March 1 (or up to 30 days... whenever your flight leaves).

Captain Bad · Joined: 24 Mar 2008

Ice Tea · Joined: 23 Nov 2008

To the poster: You're f###ed. They f#$#ed you. Get it now? You have no choice but to do something illegal.

As for the guy who decided to ask "why", don't ask why. This is Korea. There is no why. Even their word "why" means "what". People who are able to live here along time come to peace with not asking why and just accept that Koreans don't know what the hell they are doing. If you attempt to reason with them, they will just say "that's Korean culture" meaning they can't give you a decent answer without degrading themselves and their country.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 9:28 pm Post subject:

As it stands now, you can legally stay in K-land until March 1, but you can't work after February 21... if you're being paid until February 28, you have a (potential) problem.

Captain Bad · Joined: 24 Mar 2008

Ramen · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

sobriquet · Joined: 16 Feb 2007 Location: Nakatomi Plaza

Why were you in the country 7 days early? Did you go to school and work?

cruisemonkey · Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 1:44 am Post subject:

jdog2050 · Joined: 17 Dec 2006