Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Pulgasari]

I am currently working at a hagwon and for a number of reasons I am wanting to change jobs. I already have another school wanting to employ me but am having difficulty getting a letter of release.

Initially my school told me they would give me a letter of release no problem and I had given 35 days notice (which is what my contract states) but now they are making things difficult for me by first asking for me to extend another week and now asking me to get my new school to call and basically beg for my letter of release.

This situation is just quite awkward for me and if my school continues in their refusal to give a letter of release is there anything that I can do? Is it my right to letter of release? Also does anybody know if it would be at all possible for me to fly to Japan and get a new visa with my new school or how I would actually go about doing this?

[jrwhite82]

Your school has no legal obligation to provide you with a release letter.

Try to avoid having them talk to your new school, because you KNOW they are going to drag you through the mud.

How long have you been in Korea?

[Pulgasari]

Ive been in Korea and at my current job for over 4 months, will be 5 at the end of the month.

[aaron.southkorea]

I don't know your situation, but I tried to work something similar out with my school. Of course, they didn't want to assist me in finding a new job so refused to give me a letter of release. I finally just up and quit and did the following:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?p=2575811#2575811

It's simple if you have all the right documents in order. Leave the country and turn in your ARC to cancel your visa. Ask the immigration officer to stamp/initial your visa on your way out of Korea to indicate that it's been cancelled. If they ask why, just say, "I no longer have a sponsor for this visa." For me, it was easier than saying, "Oh, I quit." Or "They fired me." It seemed to be the least suspicious.

Then your new school will apply for a new visa and (hopefully) fly you to Japan to get it.

Without the LOR, you will need all new documents and with the ever-changing face of Korean immigration, you'll probably want to double/triple/quadruple check exactly what you're school will need to apply for the new visa.

Good luck!

P.S. ttompatz is the BOSS with these kinds of questions. I think he's helped half the teachers in Korea at some point.

[emmahearst]

Why do you want to change job? More money elsewhere or?

[Troglodyte]

You can just leave Korea and hand in your ARC on the way out. Tell the immigration officer at the airport that you aren't returning and to cancel your visa.

Then you can get a completely new visa. You WILL need new documents to get it though.