Korean Job Discussion Forums

[GwangjuParents]

Can an F-2 work any non-teaching job he/she wants without immigration approval?

I have an F-2.

Let's say, for the sake of theory, I want to work at Ministop.

Would I need immigrations approval to do that?

[Dragoon]

I always thought about that too..

I'm not much of a businessman and I don't have much in the way of those qualifications...so I wouldn't get picked up by any kind of Korean 9-5 suit and tie job.

I was wondering if I could just walk into a car shop/construction area/factory and just get my white butt a job in there. I'd learn a hell of a lot of Korean in there (real Korean....not that crap alot of you waygooks spend millions of won on in Yonsei/Seoul Uni/Sogang). But the trades jobs I hear pay crap compared to teaching English. But it would be nice to know if its possible..you never know...one day I might be delivering your pizzas fellow waygooks!!!!!

[whome33]

im not an F2...but from what I understand, the answer is yes, you can work wherever you want. Apparently you're supposed to 'let them know where you're working', but...Immigration no longer has any control over you. Just aslong as you're paying those taxes According to what I've heard, anyways

[PatrickGHBusan]

Yes and no.

You can work in any field with an F2.

But you need to show you have the qualifications to do the job and often qualify for the visa type for that job.

If you want to teach English and are on an F2, you still need to provide documents proving you have the proper degree for example.

[crossmr]

I've read that certain manufacturing and manual labour jobs are closed to F2s (and possibly 4/5s as well)
but really who'd want to get an F2 to work in a factory or dig ditches?

[Dragoon]

[Captain Corea]

If I recall, the only jobs that are off limits to F2s are in the 'bar entertainment industry.

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2919886

[Dragoon]

Here's a question:

The average F2 makes between say 3.0-6.0 mil a month (some more some less). If you were offered a job turning wrenches in a garage, a construction crew, an electrician or some kind of trade (not straight up assembly line factory work) and it paid similar to what you get as an English teacher...would you change jobs? I know if I was getting paid the same...I'd change up.

[Captain Corea]

You are presuming that the average F2 making that money is doing so teaching. I know a number that are not.

As for the professions you mentioned, no, none of them sound all that appealing to me.

[goesslry]

You can work any job you want, as long as the person hires you. Actually, you don't even need a university degree to teach english if you don't have. the reason the degree was needed was for government clearance of your visas.

and no, i no longer teach englishee.

[crossmr]

[goesslry]

my information came straight from the immigration agent.

[crossmr]

[Captain Corea]

[goesslry]

in that case, then the MoE needs to do a thorough review of the "legitimate English teachers", as I know a few also that don't have degrees (or at least not from one of the qualifying English teacher countries), that I know are legit.