Korean Job Discussion Forums

[elisamlw]

I am a military dependent on my way to Korea soon. I have heard generally that I cannot teach English with a SOFA visa, but an Army wife who is living there told me they changed the rule 18 months ago and now spouses with a SOFA can get some special permission to teach off-post. Any info or links would be greatly appreciated.

[CentralCali]

You have two options:

1. Enroll in one of the volunteer community outreach programs which the US military runs with the approval of the Korean government (either national or local).
   
   
2. If you meet the qualifications for an E-2 visa (or other visa which would permit you to work in Korea as a teacher), then you can petition the Korean Immigration Service office for the area where your sponsor is stationed. If the Director of the KIS office approves your petition, then you can work as a teacher, paying all the appropriate things (tax, pension, health).

You cannot legally work off-base on a SOFA visa without the approval of the KIS. If you do so without their approval and are caught, then you may lose your SOFA sponsorship. That will have a financial impact on your sponsor (lower COLA, OHA, etc.).