Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ro2]

Maybe this is a common thing, I don't know. And maybe someone will just say "there's already a thread about this". I figured I'd ask anyway.

Arrived in Korea on a tourist visa a few weeks ago. Had 3 interviews in last couple of days, resulting in three offers. The two better-sounding offers are both asking that I start working before I do my visa run to japan. I really don't know what to think about this.

Someone has pointed out that working without a visa immediately puts me on the wrong side of the law and immigration authorities, each day I work without a visa ties me more and more to the employer because it makes it harder for me to regularise my immigration status. A classic ploy of dodgy companies manipulating immigrant workers around the world....

Can anyone tell me if this kind of request from an employer is common in Korea? Has anyone else done it? Anyone know of any bad stories involving this kind of thing?

I would naturally ignore it, except TWO places are asking me to do it.

[djsmnc]

Absolutely DO NOT DO IT under ANY circumstances. In fact, you should probably turn and walk away from any place that has asked you to do it because there is no telling what may happen down the line. NO. DO NOT. Believe me. I'm 100% serious. Regardless of what they may offer. It can and will be used against you somehow.

[ED209]

[isthisreally]

I would do it, but it really depends on how I felt about the place. After traveling around the world for a few years I've learned that 1. Laws are stupid and 2. Laws are broken everywhere. Trust your gut and talk to other teachers at the school to make sure the school isn't the kind that will have you working without a visa for a long period of time.

Also if you do refuse and they're still going to hire you, then it was probably safe to work there anyway without a visa.

Finally. I should mention that when I first arrived here a few years ago I did training before I got my visa, which involved observing classes and looking at textbooks. I felt quite safe doing it and just getting the general vibe of the place knew that the school would follow through and get me on my visa run.

[wakingup]

Here's what I know...

1. Schools commonly request it (even some not sketchy schools when in a bind, but the sketchy schools definitely request it more).

2. If a teacher gets caught, it's pretty much game over unless the school really comes to their rescue somehow (rarely ever happens - usually it means deported ASAP do not pass GO do not collect $200).

3. If a school gets caught, it means a relatively small fine. Of course they request it!

4. You have no legal recourse AT ALL if they don't pay you if you're working illegally. You literally don't exist. In fact, they can blackmail you because the penalty for your breaking the law is much greater than theirs.

5. Despite 2,3,4, I know many people who've done it without anything terrible happening.

The question is, what chance do you want to take? I'd never do it, personally.

[dragon777]

Do not do it, otherwise you are asking for big trouble.

[dragon777]

I have done it... and paid the consequences!!!!!

[lifeinkorea]

You can always leave after your first pay and they can't do anything

[waynehead]

The only reason I would do it would be if: a) the offer was super sweet and b) they gave me my return ticket to Japan before I started working. Defn. don't do it if they say something like "we'll book your ticket in a week or two."

[some waygug-in]

[DAC]

Haven't done it myself, heard too many stories over the years of friends/acquaintances/friends of friends etc being screwed over somehow. The ways you lose are endless. I wouldn't start on that foot, as the requests for illegal activities will not stop, and you will have less to stand on when you say yes at the beginning.

[Juregen]

I have to admit that I also have allowed an employee to work before he had the Visa in hand .... that said, the Visa process was under way....

But I made personally sure that all was done in proper order. You can't expect that from every organization.

[blonde researcher]

From your previous postings on this forum you were from Ireland and this is your first E2 visa.Correct? Surely then you will still have to fly back to Ireland to do the visa departure interview, or have you managed to get around this some way?
Is this 'possible' new employer promising to get your Diploma authenticated by the university council in Korea so you can do paperwork?

My advice (if you have your paperwork in order to not have to go home to Ireland ) is don't start work at any hagwon or after school position unless you have a visa.
You will be getting 'used' on the promise of 'the visa being done'??? and you have no guarantee it will be done.
Hagwons hiring instant teachers as you are take big risks (and so are you) demand a visa run now ! before you start

[Ro2]

there's been no mention at all of me needing to go back to ireland. and like i said i've had 3 offers already. All my visa docs - criminal check, degree, transcripts - are being posted to me here from my family in Ireland. The understanding in all interviews has been that I will need to do an "educational background check" or "degree verification process" (think the school handles it, involves contacting my university) and a visa run to japan.

As it turns out, one of the "start without visa" offers is already gone because another candidate has taken it.

There's also a sharp difference between the advice i've gotten here (very much appreciated by the way!) and advice i've gotten in person from teachers in Seoul. Here, the advice has been to avoid such offers. People i've spoken to in person have said it's all fine, have met people who started without visa and it all worked out well.

So, don't know what to think. Will probably end up back in square one pretty soon anyway - don't wanna take any possibly illegal jobs really, and the only legal one is in a pretty disappointing location.

[TheUrbanMyth]