Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Epik_Teacher]

The FBI check has pretty well been hashed over, 3 forms; the fingerprint form, request form and the form that you authorize payment by credit card. Takes 3 months, give or take. There is also a link to a checklist to make sure you've completed everything for the Fibbie forms:

http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/forms/checklist.pdf

About the diploma apostille, I sent a letter to the Korean Embassy for information about having diplomas apostilled. There doesn't seem to be any clear information on this issue--at least that I've found. I'm in Korea and have been teaching for several years. I don't have any desire to fly back to the USA to have this minor thing done. So, I emailed them and will post their answer on this thread.

Here is the email:

Korean Embassy, Chicago

To Whom It May Concern,

I am a resident of xxxx who has lived in Korea since 2xxx. I am currently in my xth contract with EPIK in xxxx, Korea. Recently, immigration has made changes to renewing contracts and this concerns having your diploma apostilled instead of using unopened records from the university you graduated from. My question is, my contract is over in FEB 2011, but if I must get it apostilled, should I mail it to your Embassy or where? As I understand it, I cannot get it done in Korea and the closest Korean Consulate to my location is Fukuoka, Japan.

Should I send my diploma/records to your location? Or should I do it in Fukuoka? What is the procedure to do so? The information on the Korean immigration page is sparse, stating only that it must be done. Can someone please give me the proper information and procedures?

Thank you,

Mr. XXXX
XXXX, Korea

[emilylovesyou]

Pretty sure this has been covered.

Your school has to contact the Korean Council for University Education. Then your school has to send them a copy of your diploma and a copy of your passport. The council will contact your University and verify you. Then, the Council will attach a note for immigration that says this diploma is ok. All set.

[aaron.southkorea]

[nathanrutledge]

Or you call your university and request a copy of your diploma apostilled. They either print out a copy, or you have to provide them a copy (which can be done via email or fax), they stamp their notary on it and then mail it to your secretary of states office. Then, the SOS puts the apostille on it and voila, you're done.

I just did it for myself and a friend. She faxed a copy of her diploma (which is in Korea with her) to the university, they certified it, then i picked it up and took it to the capitol building, had it apostilled and tossed it in the mail. A few extra days and postage, they would have handled all the mailing for her.

No problemo.

[ttompatz]

[nathanrutledge]

[ttompatz]

[nathanrutledge]

[ttompatz]

Actually, I WILL EAT HUMBLE PIE.

I had to go back and check it again.

A copy of the degree with an apostille WILL still be acceptable but an original degree will NOT BE.

See highlighted portions below:

Conversation teacher (E-2) related system improvement notice.

1. Aim of improvement.
When first applying for the visa status for the first time, although it takes some time we will verify the qualification thoroughly. After the verification is done the related procedure will be greatly simplified.

2. The details
○ Criminal background check reinforcement
- A criminal background check from your own country's government which covers the whole country's information is required.
- According to the Korean immigration law a criminal background check from the Korean Ambassador of your country will not be accepted.(But, if the document is issued by the verification of your own government and it is proved, the document will be exceptionally accepted.)
- Until 2010.12.31 the criminal background check from either central government, local government or the Ambassador in other country except Korea will be accepted. But, when the time applying for alien registration or the next sojourn related application is made, you will have to hand in the criminal back ground check which is nationwide version.
- Foreign conversation teacher(E-2) who came into Korea before 2010.7.15 and does not fit in the required condition of the changed regulation of handing in the Criminal Background Check document, which covers the whole country's information. Foreigner must hand in the sufficient document the immigration office requires. After 2011.1.1 if foreigner makes an application related to sojourn(extension, workplace transfer, visa status transfer, activities beyond the limits of current status) should hand in the sufficient document. The Criminal Background Check document is required once during the foreigner's Korea sojourn period.
*caution: Although the sojourn related application is made before 2011.1.1, and the expiration date of the foreigner's visa status is after 2011.1.1 should also hand in the sufficient document to the foreigner's local immigration office by the time the application is made.


○ The change of 'self verification of the original diploma' system
- Starting from 2010.9.1 applying for the visa issuance number and sojourn related work(extension, workplace transfer, visa status transfer, activities beyond the limits of current status)should hand in a diploma copy or a obtained degree certificate or a graduation certificate, which has gotten a apostille stamp or a verification from the Korean consulate of the foreigner's own country or a verification from the Korean Council for University Education to the immigration office.The document is required once during the foreigner's Korea sojourn period.
*caution: Although the sojourn related application is made before 2010.9.1, and the expiration date of the foreigner's visa status is after 2010.9.1 should also hand in the sufficient document to the foreigner's local immigration office by the time the application is made.

* The original rule for submitting the original diploma and sealed transcript system will be abolished.(from 2010.9.1)
* Submitting the sealed transcript will be omitted.(from 2010.9.1)

○ The simplification of required documents of re-applying for a certificate of visa issuance approval
- Criminal background check
� Those who had stayed overseas under 3months to issue a visa status can omit the document.(If staying over 3month overseas, the document should be submitted when the foreigner applies alien registration.)
- Certificate of obtain degree
� Those who submitted a verified document can omit it.

○ An additional sojourn period when applying for a certificate of visa issuance approval.
- When the visa status is issued, additional 1month (term of contract+ 1month) will be added to the term of a contract.(within maximum 2 years)
* Example) When applying for a certificate of visa issuance approval. after making 1year contract between a teacher and the employer, teacher will get additional 1month from the ending date of the contract.

○ Marijuana test is added to the drug test list.
- Since the crime related to Marijuana is happening again and again, Cannabinoid test has been added to the drug test list.
* List of medical check : To check the fact of taking drugs such as Philopon, Heroin, Meta Amphetamine, Amphetamine, Marijuana etc. TBPE test and Cannabinoid test should be taken.


○ Medical check can only be done in specific hospitals.
- For the reliance of the result of the drug test the headquarters of immigration is going to select a specific hospital which has a perfect system for the drug test.
- To select a specific hospital the headquarters of immigration will get help from the Ministry of Public Welfare of Korea. Hospitals which have perfect check system will get the priority of the selection. And to give less difficulty for those who live far the selection will be made near every local immigration offices. Also official announcement will be made.
* In the closest future medical check document will be accepted when they are from the selected hospitals.

○ A revision of HIV infected people regulations.
- By the regulation, just because of the reason infected to HIV, no rejection will happen when applying for a certificate of visa issuance approval or get their visa status canceled or will not be forced to leave Korea.(from 2010.7.15)

For further information contact the immigration call center (1345 without district number)

[runthegauntlet]

[runthegauntlet]

Ah, perhaps this just means an original degree without an apostille will not be accepted. But that hasn't been the case for a while, has it? Mine's been apostilled since...2009.

Doesn't seem to say an original apostilled degree won't be accepted.... Hm.. Annoying.

[Oliver]

I've looked over this. Korean Immigration will accept an apostilled copy, something verified by the KCUE (or whatever it is called) or something verified by a Korean consulate in your own country.

They SHOULD (but have not stated) accept a degree photocopy verified by the British Council in Korea.

One thing which they will not accept are original copies (original degree diplomas).

If you are speaking about original apostilled copies then that is a grey area which is up to immigration to scratch their heads over.

[Oliver]

[runthegauntlet]

[runthegauntlet]