Korean Job Discussion Forums

[proudman]

Does anyone know when an E-2 visa holder is allowed into the country prior to their job starting. My girlfriend is currently working at a hagwon on an E-2, but will be leaving the job because the hagwon owner wouldn't agree to a realistic or fair compromise. So she will be leaving the country on December 16th. She was offered a job with what seems to be a much better hagwon that pays a lot better. The new job starts in late February. I assume they will not issue her a visa until sometime near the start date of her new job.

Can anyone help me understand how this works and what our options are? Is she able to come back to Korea in early to mid January and just stay with me until her new hagwon has her housing ready for her? Obviously we hope to be back together much sooner than the latter part of February.

Any info to help us better understand her options is grately appreciated!

[proudman]

here's a little more background info:

she's nine months into her contract, but has a family function that she must attend. the hagwon owner was made aware of the situation long ago, but tried to play hard ball in a situation that could of been resolved with a little compromise. in the end, he said she would have to find a new job or stay an additional five months in order to get the plane ticket back home, severence, etc. she worked hard to find this new job, but it starts near the end of february. she's leaving on the 16th or 17th to do her family thing, and would be finished with her familial obligation by the second week of january.

would she need to obtain a tourist visa if she wanted to come back earlier than her work date? as i originally mentioned, we both would like her to come back early and live with me until her job starts. this would have her back in korea about a month and a half prior to her starting her job.

also, is the letter of release absolutely necessary? i thought was only necessary if she was going to transfer her visa to a new hagwon. the owner said he'd write one if necessary, but didn't think it was necessary. if the letter of release is necessary, what do you mean by stamped? i have a strong feeling that things might be difficult with the hagwon owner now that he knows for sure that she is not coming back to work at his school after her obligation.

THANK YOU!!!

[TheUrbanMyth]

[proudman]

She and I are both American, but I have an F-4 visa. That said, is there anything that needs to be filed with immigration prior to her leaving Korea to ensure she can stay for up to three months prior to her new job starting? Would she need to obtain a tourist visa in order to stay for up to three months?

[crossmr]

[proudman]

For clarification, is there anything that she would need to do prior to her departure in two weeks?

It would probably be easier if there was an English speaking place we could go for guidance. Does anything like that exist?

I think and it seems like a very simple situation, but maybe I haven't communicated it clearly.

She currently has an E-2. She is leaving her job, and plans on leaving the country for two-three weeks. She would like to return to Korea sooner than later. She has a new job that starts in late February, but would like to stay and hang out before starting the new job.

Is this possible without filing a ton of papers? Does the departure in two weeks automatically cancel out the current E-2 visa? She's working on getting a letter of release from the director of the hagwon.

Gotta run. The bell is ringing.

[ttompatz]