Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SAbabe]

Hi guys.

Today has not been the best of days for us. We heard today that our school is closing and that we must look for another job or leave Korea. ( we are a couple working at the same school )

We are so stressed now, because we do not know if we can transfer our Visas to another school. ( our school is owned by a big corporate company in Korea.. who would have thought they would close down?)

I've sent my CV to a few recruiters, but one came back to me and said that if you work at a hagwon, you can only transfer your visa to another hagwon. But then I phoned immigration and the lady told me that if you work at a hagwon, you can only transfer your visa to a public school.
What is the real story?

Do we have to resubmit all our documents like PCC if we do not leave the country. We have been teaching at the school for 6 months.

[r.]

I have had my visa transferred from 1 hogwon to another hogwon.

You do have to have worked at the first place for at least 6 months I believe.

[OculisOrbis]

It's supposed to 9 months (75%) completed, but it all depends on the agent at immi. With your LOR, hagwon to public is usually overlooked under 9 months and other exceptions have been made in the past. I think if your employer (the one shutting down) informs immi that it's due to financial reasons, and proves it, then there's more chance you can transfer, but it all depends on the mood of the agent at the desk. You won't know until you try.....and if they say 'no', try a different agent the next day.

Also, make sure you have all your documents in-hand when you arrive at immi. It's easier for them to say yes to your transfer if it takes less work than to say no and explain why they said no. Even if they dont accept the transfer, you'll need all those documents for a new visa anyway.

Good Luck.

[Hornbill]

Man, that sucks. Especially so if you liked the job.

Best of luck to you. I know you can transfer visas from one employer to another. I don't know the restrictions on doing that, however.

[nahanni]

I was told to get a 'Letter of Explanation' in addition to the LOR. Less than 9 months you need a special circumstance (school closing due to finances etc.) to be allowed a transfer. As above said, depends on who you meet and how they're feeling that day.

If it doesn't work then find a new employer and do a visa run to Japan.

[litebear]

Bad news man, good luck finding something new

[i]

Any hints as to the name of your corporation? I too am technically employed by a big corp, but they don't have their name on anything at my school and everyone assumes I work for the PS. I can tell all is not sunshine and roses with them.

[iggyb]

This will probably happen more in this global economy.

I could be wrong --- but you don't have to "transfer" a visa as the only way to legally get a new job:

If your old visa is cancelled, you can get a new job by doing the visa run to Japan and get a new visa for the new school.

This was the old way back when you I don't believe they had a transfer system at all.

Some veterans here can answer that more than me, but I believe you have more than one option, and if you can locate a new place to work, you should be able to stay....

[bassexpander]

What is your school's name? Heck, they're closing anyway... is it a place we've heard of?

[SAbabe]

Thanx for the advice. I work for the English Village in Ansan. Everything was fine up until a month ago... then came the swine flu, and now all the schools have cancelled their camps to the English Village. Now we do not have any students scheduled for the next 4 months.

I know about the Visa run to Japan, but my problem is that I do not have a new Police clearance certificate and in South Africa it takes at least 2 months to obtain one.

[OculisOrbis]

If they allow you to transfer to another employer, you shouldnt need a new CRC. You're still under the same visa approval and your old CRC should still be valid. Call immi and check. 1345

[iggyb]

If the visa run is out like that --- that would suck.

If the transfer doesn't work, you do have other options, but the Dave's Forum Police don't like it if you mention those other routes...I'll be cryptic, but you probably already have a good idea of what I'm talking about...

....You can use cheap accomodation options and stay away from immigration police and keep language instructing - making enough money to cover expenses - until the criminal check from your home country comes through....

You can find a hakwon that will take you own like that too who will promise to send you for the visa run when you have all the paperwork.

This IS an option if the transfer won't work as your primary option....

--- You've been at the school for 6 months, so I guess your old criminal check is no good to use again even if you could get it...

Best of luck to you....

[seonsengnimble]

You shouldn't need another CRC for a new visa. I've left a job after a couple of months and didn't have to get another CRC. My understanding is that you only need a new one if you go home.