Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ashwri]

Last year I went to Korea to teach.... and due to some crazy situations, that were outside of my control. I ended up working illegally for a few months.

I wanted to visit Korea for a week or so this summer on my way to another area of Asia. An immigration officer told me that I shouldn't have any problems, but due to past experiences I have lost all faith in the Korean Immigration Department.

Does anyone know... if it would be okay for me to visit? Or is my passport flagged? And would they be waiting to slap a big fine on me at the airport?

I would just like to hear other opinions before I make my decision.

[ajmg8808]

Well first does anyone know that you were teaching here illegally? If no one knows then there shouldn't be any problems. I taught for over 2 months without my visa because they couldn't file the proper paperwork and had to make a trip to Japan and then a trip to back to the US, but no one knows that I was illegal except my employer and he's not telling because he could get into more trouble then I would be in for hiring an illegal teacher.

[Tobias]

Well, if you land in Korea all worried about getting stopped, that may get you stopped...if they're starting to be like the Chinese and checking people at the gate as they enter. The Chinese are actually scanning people to check for elevated body temperature. This helps them, supposedly, detect swine flu and nip new cases in the bud. What if a person is just nervous and has an elevated heart rate? This could flag him. My advice is to reach a deep meditative state as the plane pulls into the gate. If you can float in the lotus position, by all means float to the immy check. Just have a friend snap you out of it after you've passed the scan.

If you get stopped, and they know all about your miscreant ways in the past, they'll put you in shackles and off to the stockade you'll go for the next 12 years.

[ashwri]

my illegal work was made known. it's a long crazy story..... so yeah.

as to the second reply. i was really hoping for some real answers. but you did make me smile.... so thanks.

i'm not worried about being thrown in jail..... i'm worried about being fined 2,000 usd.... for something that wasn't really my fault.

but thanks for the answers!

[ajmg8808]

Maybe you could find out from a Korean Consulate or check out the immigration website to see if there is a link or ask an immigration officer in the states that might know something.

[ashwri]

thanks. i'm going to give that a shot next week. i just wanted to try here first.

i've tried talking to immigration in the past ..... the problem is, they don't even know their own rules. one officer does this... another says that.

hahahaaha. crazy stuff. but it's probably worth another shot.

[tomwaits]

Unless things changed you are fine. I was caught teaching illegally in 03 and spent the next 2 years flying in and out of Korea on tourist visas. And they my past---they even mentioned it once.

I guess after all you were NOT deported so there is no reasion you cant return . And (I suppose) you were punished in the form of a fine. So unlesss they catch you teaching again..........

[ashwri]

tom waits..... thanks so much for your reply. i've been hoping there was someone out there with a situation similar to mine.

i have not been fined before though.... do you think that would affect me entering korea again? i'm not going to teach again.... no problem there.

but did you pay a fine before? is that why you had no problem entering again?

or do you still think it won't matter in my situation?

any more info would be helpful! thanks!

[ashwri]

tom waits..... thanks so much for your reply. i've been hoping there was someone out there with a situation similar to mine.

i have not been fined before though.... do you think that would affect me entering korea again? i'm not going to teach again.... no problem there.

but did you pay a fine before? is that why you had no problem entering again?

or do you still think it won't matter in my situation?

any more info would be helpful! thanks!

[D-Man]

Mr.Ashwri,I reccomend that you bypass Korea as you seem very worried about your immigration issue and seem to need a great deal of re-assurance.

If you are questioning it so much and are so worried,it is probbaly better for you to skip Korea and get on with things.

We could tell you till the cows come home that everything will be ok, but if you don't trust yourself, then simply don't do it.

[D-Man]

p.s.....I'm not trying to be rude or a smartarse either.Just giving you some advice.

I had a similar situation in Taiwan back about 12 years ago.Had overstayed my visa by a week or so and they gave me a hard time when I was leaving.

Anyway,on my next entry into thE country a few months later, I had no problems getting a visa,but on my third attempted entry about two years after the fact,they refused me a visa even though the previous year I had gotten one without a hitch.

Immigration department ppl all over the world are known to be moody and tempermental.

[ashwri]

you're right about immigration people being moody, that's for sure.

this isn't a matter of me trusting myself.... this is a matter of not knowing the rules. and frankly, i don't think korean immigration officers know their own rules... everything changes all the time.... and sometimes rules are followed and sometimes they're not.

i just wanted to hear from people who know more about these situations than i do... because this is my first time having an issue like this, and immigration is no help.

[ashwri]

oh yeah and it's MS. ashwri.

[rockyourteeth]

I think it's safe. Read my blog and see for yourself! http://rockyourteeth.xanga.com/702715198/