Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Bryan Saxton]

I just talked to a recruiter and he told me that as of three weeks ago, new E-2 regulations require that your original diploma be apostilized and that an apostiled copy would not be accepted. Has any one else heard that?

[Straphanger]

[Bryan Saxton]

So you don't know if this is in fact a new requirement?

[Straphanger]

[Bryan Saxton]

Thanks for your opinion. But I wanted to know if this was a new requirement, not if it was a bad idea.

Has anyone else heard this?

[okayden223]

One thing I'd do is look at a few different recruiter websites. For example, by now the majority of them have edited their visa info pages to include the fact that immigration is looking for state level CBC's or higher. This is due to the fact that their earning potential gets messed with if they try to line up teachers who provide the wrong documentation. If immi was really requiring the original diploma then most of the big recruiters would have followed suit by now and added this info to their visa process pages. My guess is if you don't see it then it isn't a rule. I haven't heard anything like that. While getting a copy notarized and apostilled is a pain in a**, it is certainly acceptable. My guess is your recruiter knows that the chance of immi having a problem with your application might be less with the original. The school might also be requesting the original so they can hold onto it to prevent you from leaving early.

[Bryan Saxton]

Hey, thanks for the reply. I'll definitely check other recruiter's websites to see if this is true. I have a strong feeling that it's not.

[Theo]

Bryan,

Wish I had adapted Straphanger's mantra. Rube that I am, I agreed and sent my ORIGINAL diploma(s) to the employer, not a recruiter, eek! -- but not without lots of loud and repeated resistence.

Fortunately, it was waiting for me upon arrival in Seoul. Unfortuately, the lying went into full swing also upon arrival -- or perhaps I should say, the results of their lies were discovered/revealed upon arrival and in the days and weeks that followed.

As for the apostille, that should be affixed to your criminal background check; but again, I wish I had told them to shove all that costly and annoying hoop-jumping, and stayed home.

As Korea seems hell-bent on making E-2 requirements more ridiculous with each passing year, I'd not be surprised by anything they might require at this point.

Sheer insanity, and I was insane for complying.

Glad I'm outta there!

Greetings, oskinny1!!!

[kirsi]

lies

[Bryan Saxton]

It sounds like you had a really bad experience. I've seen a lot of this, and I'm glad I have because it's a realistic check that things aren't going to be complete peaches and roses. But as it stands, the need for money and the desire for adventure and travel trump my fears of a bad experience.

Best of luck in your future endeavors. Any other advice for living abroad would be much appreciated.