Korean Job Discussion Forums

[War Eagle]

I am about to finish my first year in Korea and would like to attend a University here to get my masters degree. However, I need to work full-time for 1 more year in order to afford the expenses. When I start back to school, I would like to work to make extra money in my spare time, but on my own schedule (i.e. teaching privates). I came across the following info. Is this correct? According to this, can I can legally teach up to 20 hours of privates a week or do I have to be working for an actual company? Is it really this easy? or is there some major downfall I am overlooking?

Here is what I found (from 2006):

Q: I am a foreign student studying in Seoul on a D-2 visa, and I am having difficulties in finding a part-time job. I am trying to get a work permit, but it seems here that you only get permission to work if authorities at your school are kind enough to recommend you or you find a job related to your studies. What other options do I have?

A: For a foreign national with a D-2 visa to engage in activities other than permitted under his or her status, he or she must apply for and obtain permission to do so in advance.

Students must have a recommendation written on their behalf from a tenured professor higher than a full-time lecturer. This will allow them to work for 20 hours a week in jobs such as teaching foreign languages, major-related work and manual labor, among others. It's possible to apply for an extension after one year.

You also must submit other documents including your passport, alien registration card, application form, documents confirming your employment (working period, working place, area or work, job description, business registration number), and the recommendation letter, with an application fee of 30,000 won. Please contact us again if you have more questions.

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The Seoul Help Center for Foreigners (SHC), operated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Business Agency (SBA), is an organization that provides foreigners in Seoul with comprehensive information and advice in daily life, business and tourism.

Seoul Help Center for Foreigners (SHC)
Tel : 02-731-6800
Fax : 02-731-6803
http://shc.seoul.go.kr

[IlIlNine]

Teaching 'privates' as a student is illegal (the kind where you're directly charging people for your services)

However, you can work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and unlimited hours a week during breaks if you have your school's permission, is at a reputable business, and you perform the usual song and dance at immigration to get everything registered.

The nice thing is that you're not limited to teaching english! You can pursue some work in your area of study..

[War Eagle]

Thanks for the info. This clears a lot up.