Korean Job Discussion Forums

morrisonhotel · Joined: 18 Jul 2009 Location: Gyeonggi-do

I have some visa issues. Everything I've seen online suggests that for the first time teaching in Korea it is not possible to do a visa run and that the visa must be administered from the country where you're from (and the posts on the forum support this view. However, I have a job offer which has asked me to start next week. Obviously this means I would need to do a visa run to stand any chance of being able to get out there in time. They have offered to pay for my flights out to Korea and my flights, etc. to Japan to process my visa after having my documents authenticated by some governmental department. The school has rang immigration, they have confirmed that it is possible for the first time. I wasn't convinced so I rang the Korean embassy in London to confirm. The embassy visa department said that it is possible for a person going out to Korea for the first time on an E2 visa to do a visa run to get that visa. Can anyone confirm absolutely that this is possible? I've been lead to believe that the rules were changed a while back to stop this. I've had contact with current employees and some ex-employees (ones I tracked down myself) and all seems well with the school.

Cerriowen · Joined: 03 Jun 2006 Location: Pocheon

Unfortunately... you won't find an exact answer in black and white, and if you do, half the people who are supposed to know the rules, don't.

The law has changed, where you're supposed to only get it from your home country on your FIRST visit to Korea, but it can be done from inside the country (or a visa run) thereafter.

It's an irritating part of trying to work in Korea. Many of the laws of immigration get enforced sporadically, strictly, or not at all. It depends on who you meet sitting at the desk when you get to immigration.

You can hear 1,000 stories of foreigners getting a pass on visa runs, but it only takes one employee who doesn't feel particularly friendly, to get you packing your bags.

If you are denied a visa to Korea, it'll be harder to get one the second time around. If you get here, and are denied, then you'll have to pay your own way back home.

Remember if you come here without the proper visa, [b]you are working ILLEGALLY... [/b]that means you have NO means of recourse if they decide to drop you, or the visa doesn't go through, or they decide not to pay for your flight. They will NOT pay for your flight home if things fall through.

It's my advice, having been here for over 3 years that you should firmly tell the job NOOOO and that you can't possibly get there that soon, but you really want to work there... but if they say no, well... it's probably not that great of a job anyway regardless of what they're saying. Jobs here are a dime a dozen (for "urgent" work).

Your risking being arrested and deported for working illegally, the price of a flight home, and future work in Korea... because this job couldn't get their ducks in a row and hire a teacher earlier.

Carla · Joined: 21 Nov 2008

morrisonhotel · Joined: 18 Jul 2009 Location: Gyeonggi-do

Thanks for the responses. I am aware of all the potential difficulties with the visa run, but I just wanted to make sure that it was possible. The chances are that I will pass - I got offered a job this afternoon teaching the age group that I actually want to teach, but I might use this first job as leverage to try and negotiate a better salary. If anyone needs a job at the moment, that is in-country, then PM me.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 12:16 pm Post subject:

It is possible to do a visa run to a third country for a first, E-2 visa if you have no record of 'law-breaking' in Korea and your degree is verified by the Korean Council on University Education (KCUE).

However, if you were to fly over and start working next week without having obtained an E-2 (there's no way KCUE verification and a visa run can be completed by next week), you will be working illegally and the potential exists for the employer to 'blackmail' you with this fact.

Don't do something stupid!

lhchea · Joined: 19 Sep 2009

My recruiter told me that I have to go to Guam, which will be cheaper than flying back to the states. So if you are from the US, then this is what you have to do..

Kikomom · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 4:19 pm Post subject:

nobbyken · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Location: Yongin ^^

I recall the OP saying on a post that they spoke Gaelic, so possibly Scottish.

morrisonhotel · Joined: 18 Jul 2009 Location: Gyeonggi-do

Yes, both Scottish and U.K. resident. I've decided not to go with the job as I've been offered a place in the area I want to live.

Thanks for all the responses. You've all been most helpful.

morrisonhotel · Joined: 18 Jul 2009 Location: Gyeonggi-do

Re: visa. Is it normal for schools to badger you on and on about this issue? I've been rang by them 6 times in the last 90 minutes. After now saying that there is absolutely no way of being refused if my documents are in order (they are, but I rang the embassy again just to make sure and they said it was possible to refuse authentication of documents) They now say that they'll accept my documents via post for a visa organised in my home country. Really not comfortable with being badgered about things like this. Definitely drop this school? Just for future reference, if I was to do this, what are the potential pitfalls purely in terms of documentation? Are there any things that immigration can refuse an E2 visa if you're in Korea and doing a visa run (assuming you have all the documents and you have a clean bill of health)?