Korean Job Discussion Forums

[suzhou2010]

I am preparing to get an E-2 VISA. I need to sign the health declaration, which asks if I've had a serious disease or illness in the last 5 years.

Two years ago I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. I had surgery, and since then have had no signs of it. I currently have to go twice a year for blood tests, a CT scan, and a chest X-ray.

I am wondering if I should declare this. Will they deny me a VISA for any reason, even though I have full medical documentation that I've had no signs of the disease for more than 2 years, its not contagious, and has a very small chance of returning?

I am perfectly happy to fly to Vietnam or Singapore to get my Lab Tests if needed, so not putting it on my form doesn't bother me. However, I'd of course like to do it here since there are hospitals that can do it and its a pretty simple and standard test.

Am I taking any risk by putting it on my form?

And please I'd appreciate NO comments about the quality of care in Korea. I know alot of you have had bad experiences but that's not a question now.

Thanks!

[Steve_Rogers2008]

How about a comment about lying on your health declaration and wanting to deceive the Immigration system of a foreign country? Cuz that's what it is, ya know...

[Aelric]

I wouldn't. It may make it more difficult but not impossible to land jobs, but being caught giving false info could really come back and haunt you. I just declare it, be honest, and see where things fall. That's just me, though. In the end, it's your call and I could see arguments for both sides.

[Kaypea]

I think if they found out you omitted knowing about your cancer, you could be deported, but if you became sick, you'd want to go home anyway. I don't know how else they could know about the cancer, but-- do you really want to travel to another country for the lab tests twice a year? It *might* be better to just admit to it, as long as you have doctors' notes to back up your current good state of health. Or, you may want to ask some recruiters about this.

[PatrickGHBusan]

Not to mention that if you declare it you can also go to a LOCAL hospital in KOREA to get your tests done....

[captain kirk]

A month or so ago a poster, if I recall correctly, mentioned that an MRI in Korea costs four million won. That's two months salary at a hagwon. Get an MRI twice a year and four months salary.

I'm not advocating 'lying' on the med form but would like to say that if the OP puts 'cancer survivor (testicular) receiving ongoing treatment/monitoring' that's putting alot into a potential employer's lap.

[Steve_Rogers2008]

Captain Kirk advising someone to paint a bald faced lie.... must be the Kirk from Mirror, Mirror....

[quilter]

I had an MRI done about three years ago for my back. The doctor told me it wasn't covered by insurance so I would have to pay for it myself. The total cost was around 450,000 won and no waiting. This was done at the Eulji hospital in Nowon-gu, which is a General hospital. 4 million sounds like someone added an extra zero.

[captain kirk]