Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Old Gil]

because of a few issues getting my visa, my visa/contract expires March 31st and my ARC expires May 5th. However, I'm working out a deal with my school so they end my contract Feb 28th instead of March 31st.

In effect my contract would be over Feb 28th but my documents indicate that I still have time to be in country. However, my last day of actual work is February 12th. My plan is to leave Korea Feb 16th for good travel for a bit then back to 'Merica. What will I need to have to go to the pension office to indicate that I'm not running just because my ticket is earlier than my visa/ARc end date? I guess it really doesn't matter cuz pension isn't tied to a completed contract, correct?

Also if I give my ARC to immigration when leaving before my contract is up, will that affect my pay and bonus? I would assume that that's just an issue with the school and not the government but one can never be too sure.

Thanks for any help.

[oskinny1]

Not sure about pension, but pay and severance is through your school though I would be surprised if the school gave severance since you are leaving early. Might be good to go to the pension office after you cancel your work visa to show them that you are finished with your job.

[Old Gil]

it was my school's request that i leave early so as to make it easier for them to find a replacement to coincide with the start of the semester. as i'm doing them a favor, they're going to give my severance.

the issue regarding the vacation is that i have paid vacation from February 12th til the 28th (the end of my contract), so I'd like to get out of Korea early so i can travel around China and get back to the US earlier rather than later. I would want to just go from Seoul to Shanghai and then SH to Chicago so as to save a return flight to Korea, so that's why i want to know if turning in my ARC to Immigration as i leave Korea February 16th would make me ineligible to receive my pay for the pay period, which lasts til February 28th, and also then losing that pension contribution for that last month.

[imakemyselflaugh]

You can go to the pension office to get your refund on a tourist visa. I left at the end of my last contract without going to the pension office- and went back a few weeks later on a tourist visa. Just make sure you write down your ARC number, I imagine you could do it without, but it made life easier.

Alternately, you can go before your contract is up (I think it's up to six weeks before you leave). And you should be able to negotiate with your school about getting paid early... maybe.

[Old Gil]