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asmith
Joined: 18 Jun 2009
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 Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 3:54 pm Post subject: F-series advantages |
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What exactly are the advantages? I have an F-2. I still had to have a criminal background check. I still needed a medical exam.
I work for SMOE. In my contract, it states that I'm not allowed outside work.
So what exactly are the advantages? Excuse my ignorance, but am I missing something? |
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nobbyken
Joined: 07 Jun 2006
Location: Yongin ^^
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| Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 4:03 pm Post subject: |
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The visa is sponsered by your wife, not your workplace.
Not much difference.
Many public schools may not allow other jobs, whereas the actual E2 visa is more restrictive about working in other places.
If you have the F2 for more than 2 years you can move to an F5 visa, which is a residence visa. |
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meangradin
Joined: 10 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 4:27 pm Post subject: |
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| in your situation it does not offer any real advantages. Speaking only for myself, I would never take a public school job, or even a university position as the pay is just too low. I never work more than 2-3 hours at any particular job, and try to work at 3-5 different places a day. Yes, it makes for long days, but I want to work hard and make more money. But to each their own... |
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Otherside
Joined: 06 Sep 2007
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| Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 5:17 pm Post subject: Re: F-series advantages |
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| asmith wrote: |
What exactly are the advantages? I have an F-2. I still had to have a criminal background check. I still needed a medical exam.
I work for SMOE. In my contract, it states that I'm not allowed outside work.
So what exactly are the advantages? Excuse my ignorance, but am I missing something? |
In your specific situation, there don't seem to be any advantages. However, say you decide to leave your job, you can quit your job today and start working at a new place tomorrow (or even later the same day), no visa runs, no Letter of Releases etc. Additionally, you can get employment in any field whatsover (not just teaching English), assuming someone would hire you of course.
As someone else mentioned, eventually an F-2 can lead to an F-5 which may be useful. Then again, if you are planning to work for SMOE until you retire and then head back home to the States (or w/e) then there won't be much benefit to an F-2  |
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Some of the Mothers Said
Joined: 01 Jul 2008
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| Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 5:24 pm Post subject: |
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Hay.
SMOE, like an other large company just give blanket orders to staff. As an F2 holder, the Korean Immigration has already run a criminal record check on you. I work in a public school, and I have not had to produce a CRC or a for that matter a physical exam. I was asked for a CRC, and I told them to contact the Korean Immigration. I assume they did, for I have been in this job for some time now, but each school is different!
As an F2 you can also apply for a "Tutors" license, which will enable you to teach outside of your school legally, although some people may disagree, especially the school Principal.
Remember your spouse is your sponsor. You have a lot more freedom, and you are worth a lot to the school, as you are much easier to take care of. (Unless the school wants to control you entirely, which is quite possible) My Teaching director showed me the amount of paper work he had to do for an E2 visa last year compared with an F2. The F2 was less than half.
The F2 may not give many benefits, but as some others have pointed out, you do have a little more freedom, and I assume a nice wife, and decent housing, which makes it all worth your while.
Enjoy. |
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tob55
Joined: 29 Apr 2007
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| Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 5:36 pm Post subject: Re: F-series advantages |
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| asmith wrote: |
What exactly are the advantages? I have an F-2. I still had to have a criminal background check. I still needed a medical exam.
I work for SMOE. In my contract, it states that I'm not allowed outside work.
So what exactly are the advantages? Excuse my ignorance, but am I missing something? |
As an F2 or F5 visa holder you can request that the school pay for the CRC because you are not obligated to pay for it on your own. My school tried this with me, and once I showed them the regulations they backed off. I want to state I had no problem with having one done, but they were going to pay for it because that is the way it reads. They chose rather to get a Korean CRC for me and it satisfied their needs. People tend to make this an MOJ/Immigration issue, but the Ministry of Education and their agencies can request a CRC if they like. The key is that as an F2 you are not under any guideline forcing you to pay for the service. This is what I know from personal knowledge. You can walk and they can do nothing about that, but that is unprofessional and only makes you look bad. Talk to them, show them that you have no problem with doing these things, but put the cost factor back in their court. They will follow through if you do it in a nice way. As for the extra work, talk to your principal and explain that you will not take positions that conflict with your employment, but let them know that as an F2 visa holder you have employment freedom and you may take other jobs. Been there, done that and the employer didn't like it much, but once they realized I would not create a problem for them by scheduling employment that was in direct conflict with my school schedule it was a non-issue. |
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DeLaRed
Joined: 16 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 5:53 pm Post subject: Re: F-series advantages |
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| tob55 wrote: |
| asmith wrote: |
What exactly are the advantages? I have an F-2. I still had to have a criminal background check. I still needed a medical exam.
I work for SMOE. In my contract, it states that I'm not allowed outside work.
So what exactly are the advantages? Excuse my ignorance, but am I missing something? |
As an F2 or F5 visa holder you can request that the school pay for the CRC because you are not obligated to pay for it on your own. My school tried this with me, and once I showed them the regulations they backed off. I want to state I had no problem with having one done, but they were going to pay for it because that is the way it reads. They chose rather to get a Korean CRC for me and it satisfied their needs. People tend to make this an MOJ/Immigration issue, but the Ministry of Education and their agencies can request a CRC if they like. The key is that as an F2 you are not under any guideline forcing you to pay for the service. This is what I know from personal knowledge. You can walk and they can do nothing about that, but that is unprofessional and only makes you look bad. Talk to them, show them that you have no problem with doing these things, but put the cost factor back in their court. They will follow through if you do it in a nice way. As for the extra work, talk to your principal and explain that you will not take positions that conflict with your employment, but let them know that as an F2 visa holder you have employment freedom and you may take other jobs. Been there, done that and the employer didn't like it much, but once they realized I would not create a problem for them by scheduling employment that was in direct conflict with my school schedule it was a non-issue. |
a few questions to clarify.
If you have an F series and you work for a PS, you can have the PS pay for the CRC?
Also, even if the contract (PS) states clearly no additional job can be taken outside of PS,you can still have the freedom to persue a further job because of the F series?
I'm also with SMOE but would like to do some extra work as I'm not doing an afterschool......hence would like some extra cash. Don't particularly want to break any rules.
Wasn't 100% sure if you were referring to PS as well as hagwon in your post, thanks |
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asmith
Joined: 18 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 6:20 pm Post subject: |
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| meangradin wrote: |
| in your situation it does not offer any real advantages. Speaking only for myself, I would never take a public school job, or even a university position as the pay is just too low. I never work more than 2-3 hours at any particular job, and try to work at 3-5 different places a day. Yes, it makes for long days, but I want to work hard and make more money. But to each their own... |
Doesn't this lead to a paperwork nightmare? Wouldn't you need crc's for every institute? Wouldn't you need transcripts for each institute.
I with you. I'd rather work hard and make a lot of money. |
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tob55
Joined: 29 Apr 2007
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| Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 7:20 pm Post subject: Re: F-series advantages |
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| DeLaRed wrote: |
| tob55 wrote: |
| asmith wrote: |
What exactly are the advantages? I have an F-2. I still had to have a criminal background check. I still needed a medical exam.
I work for SMOE. In my contract, it states that I'm not allowed outside work.
So what exactly are the advantages? Excuse my ignorance, but am I missing something? |
As an F2 or F5 visa holder you can request that the school pay for the CRC because you are not obligated to pay for it on your own. My school tried this with me, and once I showed them the regulations they backed off. I want to state I had no problem with having one done, but they were going to pay for it because that is the way it reads. They chose rather to get a Korean CRC for me and it satisfied their needs. People tend to make this an MOJ/Immigration issue, but the Ministry of Education and their agencies can request a CRC if they like. The key is that as an F2 you are not under any guideline forcing you to pay for the service. This is what I know from personal knowledge. You can walk and they can do nothing about that, but that is unprofessional and only makes you look bad. Talk to them, show them that you have no problem with doing these things, but put the cost factor back in their court. They will follow through if you do it in a nice way. As for the extra work, talk to your principal and explain that you will not take positions that conflict with your employment, but let them know that as an F2 visa holder you have employment freedom and you may take other jobs. Been there, done that and the employer didn't like it much, but once they realized I would not create a problem for them by scheduling employment that was in direct conflict with my school schedule it was a non-issue. |
a few questions to clarify.
If you have an F series and you work for a PS, you can have the PS pay for the CRC? |
My school did after I told them go ahead, you are free to check me out all you want.
| Quote: |
| Also, even if the contract (PS) states clearly no additional job can be taken outside of PS,you can still have the freedom to persue a further job because of the F series? |
The extra employment clause is specifically for E-visa holders, and the school can control the employment because they sponsor/own the visa. The F2 is owned by your spouse or family member, thus the employment option is theirs. NOW, it is a good idea to communicate with your school rather than going out Lone Ranger style and feeling like you have no obligation to anyone.
| Quote: |
I'm also with SMOE but would like to do some extra work as I'm not doing an afterschool......hence would like some extra cash. Don't particularly want to break any rules.
Wasn't 100% sure if you were referring to PS as well as hagwon in your post, thanks |
It doesn't matter whether it is PS or hagwon, the F-2 is your visa and ultimately you control, but where people get into trouble is by feeling a sense of entitlement and then develop a lack of professional disrespect for this country and the people for whom they work. This is why I mentioned keeping a very clear line of communication open so that no misunderstandings arise. My school has long understood my visa and my situation, but I don't wave it in front of them as a threat of what I might do. I am grateful for my visa, and I want to operate with integrity, which is first in my book. Dumping on an employer or deceiving them is never the way to go. Treat the employer with respect and I promise you that 95%+ of the time they will reciprocate. |
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DeLaRed
Joined: 16 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 7:37 pm Post subject: |
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| thanks for the clarification Tob, appreciated |
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jiberish
Joined: 17 Jul 2006
Location: The Carribean Bay Wrestler
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| Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 7:40 pm Post subject: |
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| I have an f-2 and i got asked for a criminal background check. I ordered it. They said it would take 2-3 weeks. I started work the following monday. It was never mentioned again. Later the police check arrived and sat in a drawer since, never opened. |
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asmith
Joined: 18 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 7:45 pm Post subject: |
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| jiberish wrote: |
| I have an f-2 and i got asked for a criminal background check. I ordered it. They said it would take 2-3 weeks. I started work the following monday. It was never mentioned again. Later the police check arrived and sat in a drawer since, never opened. |
Did you order it from your home country? Or did you get it from the Korean police?
This is my one big question as an f-2 guy: Next year, if I want to continue working in Korea, do I have to pay thousands of dollars to fly home to get a crc. Or can I just do it through the Korean police? |
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tob55
Joined: 29 Apr 2007
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| Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 7:52 pm Post subject: Clarification |
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| asmith wrote: |
| jiberish wrote: |
| I have an f-2 and i got asked for a criminal background check. I ordered it. They said it would take 2-3 weeks. I started work the following monday. It was never mentioned again. Later the police check arrived and sat in a drawer since, never opened. |
Did you order it from your home country? Or did you get it from the Korean police?
This is my one big question as an f-2 guy: Next year, if I want to continue working in Korea, do I have to pay thousands of dollars to fly home to get a crc. Or can I just do it through the Korean police? |
As an F2 person, you are not obligated to pay, i.e. you should not have to pay for a flight home or anything. If the school requests it, then they should order it, AND pay for it no matter where they are getting it from. I went around and around with a few other people about this, but in the end if they had listened to me they could have saved time and money that was not in need of spending. As I mentioned, I don't wave my visa status in front of anyone, especially employers. They have given me a job, treated me with professional respect, and I reciprocate by doing a good job for them. You have to stand up for yourself and if you do it in a kind way, the employer is not going to have a problem with doing their part. Good luck with your situation. |
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asmith
Joined: 18 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:08 pm Post subject: Re: Clarification |
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| tob55 wrote: |
| asmith wrote: |
| jiberish wrote: |
| I have an f-2 and i got asked for a criminal background check. I ordered it. They said it would take 2-3 weeks. I started work the following monday. It was never mentioned again. Later the police check arrived and sat in a drawer since, never opened. |
Did you order it from your home country? Or did you get it from the Korean police?
This is my one big question as an f-2 guy: Next year, if I want to continue working in Korea, do I have to pay thousands of dollars to fly home to get a crc. Or can I just do it through the Korean police? |
As an F2 person, you are not obligated to pay, i.e. you should not have to pay for a flight home or anything. If the school requests it, then they should order it, AND pay for it no matter where they are getting it from. I went around and around with a few other people about this, but in the end if they had listened to me they could have saved time and money that was not in need of spending. As I mentioned, I don't wave my visa status in front of anyone, especially employers. They have given me a job, treated me with professional respect, and I reciprocate by doing a good job for them. You have to stand up for yourself and if you do it in a kind way, the employer is not going to have a problem with doing their part. Good luck with your situation. |
That's really the most difficult part about Korea.
Noboday--the teachers, the schools, immigration--really knows any answers. If I were to ask 10 immigration officers that question about returning home for a new crc, I would get 10 different answers. |
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meangradin
Joined: 10 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:23 pm Post subject: |
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Doesn't this lead to a paperwork nightmare? Wouldn't you need crc's for every institute? Wouldn't you need transcripts for each institute.
I with you. I'd rather work hard and make a lot of money. |
Not at all! If you choose to work at a hagwon, then they should register you at the local education office, but they do that, not you. Also, I did have to get a CRC for public school jobs (which I paid for), but that was the only time I was required to produce one. Hagwons, corporate jobs, and kindies. don't require paperwork, if you have an F visa. The F visa saves the schools from having to do alot of paperwork. In fact, in regards to kindies., the F visa allows the school to legally hire a teacher that they would be prevented from hiring, as most kindies don't have the requisite license to sponser their own E visa teacher. My corporate jobs do require me to submit some documents, such as my ARC, but it is a pretty painless experience.
Not to be pendantic, but you have the opportunity to make a lot of money, so why not take full advantage. |
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