Korean Job Discussion Forums

[TK421]

I sent my visa documents to my recruiter in Busan on October 26, a month ago. She sent me an email saying she received them on October 30 (a friday) and will give them to the school the following Monday and the school will in turn give them to Korean immigration. And then, immigration will give the visa number to the school, who gives it to the recruiter, who gives it to me. What a confusing process.

Anyway, it's been a month, I don't have the number, and I've e-mailed the recruiter several times and she just says the school supervisor will give it to her this week (that was two weeks ago) and now she said this week, and no dice. The school might've taken their sweet ass time giving immigration my documents because my contract start date isn't till December 21, but seriously. It's making me nervous like I'm going to get screwed or something. Does it take this long for anyone else? Is it normal? Advice? Thanks.

[mcviking]

Welcome to the glorious pain in the ass that is getting a job here. The hiring process and well the job in general, in my opinion, have little to no organization or logical thinking applied to it. Are you working for a hagwon or PS? I remember when I applied to my first hagwon in Busan I waited almost 2 months to get the visa pin number, and it was always next week, next week. The immigration officer we use is on vacation. Don't worry they will get it to you but enjoy your time left in your country, you will miss alot of things your first few weeks or even months here. Any chance you telling us what school?

[nautilus]

Sounds like they are keeping you on hold because they have probably several willing applicants. If they find a blonde young American female, expect your contract to suddenly dissapear. Given the state of the american economy right now, this is increasingly likely.

Can't you give them a deadline by which to process everything...and then simply look for a new job elsewhere if they are not forthcoming?

[santafly]

This same thing happened to me with a recruiter/school in Busan. After 5 weeks of excuses/lies: "Yeah, we decided not to hire you".

My advice, start looking for a new job and get new documents asap. Don't tell the current job what you're doing unless you've sent documents to a new job.

If you want to go to Korea you'll have to just cut your losses on this one - Like someone told me, it's all for the best that it happened now otherwise you would have ended up getting screwed by them later.

Best of luck

- I would try to apply to a large company with an HR department, avoiding a recruiter

[/i]

[TK421]

Well, it's a couples position, and my girlfriend and I have both sent all our documents, including original diploma, signed contract and everything. I highly doubt that they're thinking about better applicants because we accepted a position with them in a large studio that few couples would choose because of its size. We're supposed to leave in a little less than three weeks and if they screwed us over it would be devastating to both of our lives considering I just sold my car and both of us put in our two weeks for our current jobs.

I really hope they don't screw us. I talked to two foreigners, one american, one canadian, on the phone, who both had excellent experiences with this school so I'm remaining optimistic and assuming they're just taking their time because our starting date isn't this week but in three weeks...

It's a hagwon by the way, in the outskirts of Busan. To answer the first replier's question, it's LCI Kids Club in Saha-gu in Busan. Like I've said, I've talked to two different women that currently work for them so those references made me feel confident about the deal. I have the exact address, departure date and method of transportation from airport to the school so I don't feel like they're screwing us... it's making me anxious though.

Thank you for the advice and replies by the way.

[Xuanzang]

Try a new recruiter like Korvia. You have options. It just seems like a very long time to keep you waiting. Immigration doesn`t take that long in Korea.

[mcviking]

Well like I said before its just Korean disorganization that in my experience so far has the standard. For exmple when I was coming over I sent my company the flight itiniary three weeks before I was going, they had previously told me to book two times before and then changed their minds. Two days before my arrival they wanted me to change my flight, and I didn't get my visa pin until a week before my departure date. So I had a week to run up to the consolate and all that shennigans. If your company has a manditory training program pending employment( that they won't tell you until after you get there) than watch out I might know what company you are being hired for. If it's CDI then be careful.

[morrisonhotel]

I wouldn't be too worried about things just yet. However, I sent my documents to my school about 4/5 days before you. I received my issuance number in just over a week.

[broonie30]

Hi,

DONT WORRY!!

My girlfiend and I applied way back in Februaty and it took until May to get our visa issuance numbers. Just keep in touch with your recruiter and any contact you have at the school. FYI if there is a problem at Korea immi then you will; be the last to know, its one of the wonders of Korea, things that directly concern you, dont concern you in the least according to them. Seriously phone your recruiter and say that you will drop them and bad-mouth them if its not sorted soon, then they will get on the school and you will be fine. Its just a Korean way of taking their time over anything thats important. PLEASE get used to it now, because theres a lot of it in store when you get here. Im not trying to scare you, just warn you! Korea is a great place and I personally love it but their way is not as urgent as ours, just keep nagging your recruiter and you will get results! Good luck!

[TK421]

Thanks for the reassurance. I guess we'll see what happens!