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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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PirateT
Joined: 18 Nov 2010
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 Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2010 10:32 am Post subject: Health and Visas |
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I posted in the newbie section but I was told I should come here for further clarification.
I have epilepsy, but as far epileptics go I have it pretty good(seizures controlled with meds, don't need medical treatment for the seizure itself, not set off by blinking lights).
Will this knock me out of getting a visa period, or will it just make finding work harder/impossible? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2010 5:26 pm Post subject: Re: Health and Visas |
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| PirateT wrote: |
I posted in the newbie section but I was told I should come here for further clarification.
I have epilepsy, but as far epileptics go I have it pretty good(seizures controlled with meds, don't need medical treatment for the seizure itself, not set off by blinking lights).
Will this knock me out of getting a visa period, or will it just make finding work harder/impossible? |
2 possibilities:
1) you disclose the condition. You won't find a job and you WILL BE REFUSED a visa if you do manage to talk your way into the job.
2) you don't disclose the condition:
you will get a job but you will also need to lie one the job application (self medical questionnaire) and you will need to lie on your visa application (potential visa fraud issues).
Then there is the issue of your meds showing up when you do the drug screen at the REQUIRED medical exam (part of the ARC process).
You may (probably if at a hakwon and certainly if at a public school) lose your job and be sent home at your expense (after they deduct your airfare and inbound allowances from any outstanding pay you may have coming).
Finding meds may become an issue as well as a doctor to deal with your on-going treatment (your meds will need a local doctor to prescribe them for you).
Your decision to make:
Is it worth the risk to potentially get stranded 10,000 miles from home in a strange country with no money, no job, not knowing the local language and potentially facing visa fraud issues and no chance of further employment?
There are (many) other countries where it is a NON-issue. It might make sense to look farther afield and save the worry.
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liveinkorea316
Joined: 20 Aug 2010
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2010 5:30 pm Post subject: |
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Actually Tompatz is being overly dramatic. Just don't tell anyone. The meds will probably not show up on the drug screen. You can get them privately though a doctor here and you can live normally like anyone else here.
I think there are plenty of people on epilepsy meds here in Korea. They might respond to this thread.
Don't worry. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2010 6:03 pm Post subject: |
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| liveinkorea316 wrote: |
Actually Tompatz is being overly dramatic. Just don't tell anyone. The meds will probably not show up on the drug screen. You can get them privately though a doctor here and you can live normally like anyone else here.
I think there are plenty of people on epilepsy meds here in Korea. They might respond to this thread.
Don't worry. |
I don't think stating the facts is overly dramatic
BUT
it does pose the next question...
Unless the OP (or anyone else contemplating anything along these lines) has a vested interest in Korea (family, G/F, heritage, etc) WHY would they take the risk when it isn't necessary?
ESL (globally) is a growth industry.
There are currently about 100,000 positions open each year for new teachers to move into the field of ESL.
SAFEA is predicting 500,000 new ESL/EFL jobs in China over the next decade.
Annually there are 30,000 jobs in Korea, 20,000 jobs in Japan, 15,000 jobs in Thailand, 15,000 more in the rest of SE Asia.
then you can add 25,000 more jobs in Mexico, Central and South America.
This has even eliminated all of Europe for ESL (most Americans can't get a work visa for Europe).
Some of them pay crap. Many of them, at the end of the day will allow savings as good as you can bank in Korea.
Most countries are NOT as difficult as Korea when it comes to getting a work visa.
If you take the time to compare the complete package with benefits AND then look at the cost of living in the local economy you will find that by-and-large even entry level ESL teachers (with a BA or better) can, on average, bank about US$800-1000 per month.
So again, why bother with Korea?
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