Korean Job Discussion Forums

[missfroggy]

Hi,my current contract finishes on 14 september however I have paid vacation from august 21 - september 14. I have been offered another job which starts august 31 but my current employer has told me that even if i was on vacation, if i got a release letter from them before september 14, I would not get my bonus and would have to refund the plane ticket. I just wondered what are the rules about e2 visas renewels. i realise that release letters are needed if you havnt finished your contract and want to transfer to another school but if i did not get one from them would that mean i would have to do the whole visa process again or is there a way to renew my current visa?

[blonde researcher]

They are correct. Leave before the 12 months are up and you will get no severance and you wont qualify to get your airfare paid ( unless the employer is caring to you) ( you can only get severance if you work the full 12 months)
You would be starting a new contract and a new visa 2 weeks before your present visa expires. This means you would have to get an official LOR from your present employer.

[missfroggy]

My new employer said that I could either volunteer for 2 weeks until my current contract finishes or i could begin my new contract on september 15, when my contract has finished. i just wondered how could i renew my visa without the letter of release.would i need to get my current employer to sign a paper that says i have finished my contract?

[blonde researcher]

Starting work 'voluntarily'at another site when you still have a contract equals working illegally at a workplace not recorded on your ARC. Not a good idea.
Finishing early at your present workplace means no severance entitlement as you are short of 12 months.
You should arrange to do your papers for starting the day after your present contract finishes and you wont need any LOR. But check the dates on your ARC and the visa stamp in your passport as they may have different dates for when you finish and can get a new visa

[missfroggy]

ok thanks and do you know how i would renew the visa, if i didnt get a letter of release from my employer, how would i be able to renew my visa?would i need to do a visa run?Thanks in advance.