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scratchpiece
Joined: 24 Feb 2011
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 Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 8:00 am Post subject: Moving from Thailand to Korea |
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I've been living in Thailand for almost two years now and will be heading to Korea in the next few months. From all the information I've gathered, it sounds like the best idea is to find work once IN Korea. This is my plan.
I'm wondering if there are other users on here who have made the transition from Thailand to Korea. I've read countless stories on Ajarn.com about people doing it the other way (Korea -> Thailand). Most of them seem to have mixed experiences in Korea. The one common theme among the good and the bad is that it is very easy to save $$$ while in Korea. This isn't my top priority, but it does help in my decision process. As long as I find a good job (Public School) I'll be happy. Is that likely to happen? One of the main reasons I love Thailand so much is because of my job. I teach 6th grade kids and they are pretty kickass. I've never had a day where I didn't want to head into work.
I really have nothing bad to say about Thailand. I make about $900 a month and live very well. I've got great friends and a job I love, but I've just reached that point where I feel really bored. If anyone is considering a move to Thailand, DO IT. Don't expect to save any money though. |
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Riker
Joined: 28 Dec 2010
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| Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 12:09 pm Post subject: |
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You can no longer show up and get a VISA in Korea if its your first time working here.
Immigration now requires that you apply for your first visa from your home country ( USA, UK, ...) |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 4:14 pm Post subject: |
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| Riker wrote: |
You can no longer show up and get a VISA in Korea if its your first time working here.
Immigration now requires that you apply for your first visa from your home country ( USA, UK, ...) |
Actually, if he is LEGALLY resident ("B" or "O" visa) in Thailand he can get his first E2 IN Thailand.
You are correct in that he cannot get an initial E2 or change his status to E2 while IN Korea.
OP:
Do you have the required documents for the E2 application process>?
i) You need a copy of your degree with apostille affixed.
ii) Do you have a National criminal background check from your home country (with apostille affixed).
iii) Do you hold a passport from one of: USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, NZ, AUS or South Africa?
IF you answered yes to all of the above then you can apply for a PS job and when accepted obtain your visa in Thailand.
IF you answered NO to any of them then you will either:
a) need to obtain the required documents or
b) Try another country.
There are NO exceptions.
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orosee
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Location: Hannam-dong, Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 5:04 pm Post subject: Re: Moving from Thailand to Korea |
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| scratchpiece wrote: |
| I really have nothing bad to say about Thailand. ... but I've just reached that point where I feel really bored. |
 At this point I am asking you: What have you done wrong?!?
If you got bored after 2 years in Thailand - are we talking about Bangkok? - you'll get bored after 2 months in Korea  |
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scratchpiece
Joined: 24 Feb 2011
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| Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 5:57 pm Post subject: |
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I will not be applying for my Visa while in Thailand. I plan to visit my family in America prior to heading out.
ttompatz- If I want to stick with my original plan of finding work IN Korea, can I arrive with just a one-way ticket?
I need to do more research but if I arrive in Korea without a visa, then find a job I'll just have to do a run to Japan to get my work Visa sorted out... right?
orosee- I've actually been living in Chiang Mai. It's a great place but I guess I'm ready for some new scenery... Will be nice to learn another language, have a decent apartment with a kitchen, have a real winter (I'm from colorado), etc... I will most likely do a year in Korea, save up lots of money, then head back to Thailand  Have you lived in LOS? |
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hakwonner
Joined: 09 Nov 2010
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| Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 6:14 pm Post subject: |
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| scratchpiece wrote: |
| Have you lived in LOS? |
I have lived there!
It kicks Korea's ass in so many ways. I know this line is continually repeated on here, but if the money was the same in both countries not many people would be working in Korea!
I loved living there, but the money just wasn't enough. I needed to live well and save, and 35,000 baht a month is just never gonna allow you to do that  |
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scratchpiece
Joined: 24 Feb 2011
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| Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 6:33 pm Post subject: |
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| hakwonner wrote: |
| scratchpiece wrote: |
| Have you lived in LOS? |
I have lived there!
It kicks Korea's ass in so many ways. I know this line is continually repeated on here, but if the money was the same in both countries not many people would be working in Korea!
I loved living there, but the money just wasn't enough. I needed to live well and save, and 35,000 baht a month is just never gonna allow you to do that |
Hmmm... maybe I don't know what I'm getting myself into! haha. But yeah, I feel the same as you. I'm making 30k a month and it's enough to get by but I think my living conditions will be much better in Korea.
How long were you in LOS and how long have you been in Korea? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 6:54 pm Post subject: |
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| scratchpiece wrote: |
I will not be applying for my Visa while in Thailand. I plan to visit my family in America prior to heading out.
ttompatz- If I want to stick with my original plan of finding work IN Korea, can I arrive with just a one-way ticket?
I need to do more research but if I arrive in Korea without a visa, then find a job I'll just have to do a run to Japan to get my work Visa sorted out... right? |
ummm.... no.
You have MULTIPLE issues to deal with and they aren't usually even mentioned on ajarn.
Visa requirements (assuming you are using a US passport):
For issuance of a visa confirmation number or NOA...
i) FBI check with an apostille. Must be less than 6 months old when it lands on the desk at immigration in Korea PRIOR to your visa confirmation number being issued.
ii) copy of your degree with an apostille (rules to get the apostille vary from state to state.
AFTER you have your documents (and submitted them to your employer) your employer will submit them to Korean immigration in Korea (you will NOT get them back) and apply for a visa confirmation number.
They will send you that number and you will use that number to apply for your visa from abroad.
NOTE: NEW (as in never had an E2 before) visa applications usually require a consular interview in YOUR HOME COUNTRY prior to the visa actually being issued. (meaning you can't just pop into Korea, find a job and do a quick visa run to Japan unless you have had a prior E2).
Best bet would be to apply for a job from home when you are there (since your plan is to go home anyway). Take care of the paperwork and then, after you have your visa, head for Korea. (also means your employer will pay for your ticket to Korea).
The rule book that you will be using is VERY DIFFERENT that you are used to in the LOS.
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scratchpiece
Joined: 24 Feb 2011
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| Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 7:01 pm Post subject: |
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ttompatz-
Thanks a lot for all of the info. Looks like I've still got a lot to research.
I am in the process of getting all of my paperwork notatized/apostilled, etc. This won't be a problem.
What are my options if I want to find a job on foot in Korea? Sounds like they might be very limited. I've heard people say to find a job in your home country, arrive in Korea, then look for something else. I would like to stay away form this because I would have to ask for a letter of release from the school, right? And I don't want to burn my school either.
Thanks again for your help... I really appreciate it |
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orosee
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Location: Hannam-dong, Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 7:05 pm Post subject: |
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| scratchpiece wrote: |
| orosee- I've actually been living in Chiang Mai. It's a great place but I guess I'm ready for some new scenery... Will be nice to learn another language, have a decent apartment with a kitchen, have a real winter (I'm from colorado), etc... I will most likely do a year in Korea, save up lots of money, then head back to Thailand Have you lived in LOS? |
Ah, Chiang Mai... it used to be beautiful, I hope it still is. But quiet compared to Bangkok. Seoul is considerably larger and crowded, although there are other places which are still interesting and less dense, e.g. Busan. Okay, maybe only Busan.
Flashback, I spent almost 13 years in LOS from 1995 to 2008, stationed in Bangkok but of course I had ample opportunity to explore the rest of the country in that time. Changed to Seoul because I got - believe it or not - bored with the good life there. No, it was the prospect of doing different work in a different place, I had visited Korea a dozen times from 1997 onwards, but being here was like a hit with a hammer for the first few months. Korea is different. Things got better with new friends, although a few things also got worse with new friends (mostly weight and alcohol related, and womenfolk).
Summary, while I do enjoy my 4th year in Seoul, I make sure to be in Thailand at least once a year and I still miss it. With all the stuff I left there in the care of my now ex-g/f, I could restart my life within a week. But, although I'm not in teaching and never was, the $ is currently better in Korea. Watch this space though, I'm not planning to retire here!
If you really need to get out of LOS - and there are many good reasons to - make sure you are well prepared for Korea. I heard that there are also interesting opportunities in HK and China. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 8:41 pm Post subject: |
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| scratchpiece wrote: |
ttompatz-
Thanks a lot for all of the info. Looks like I've still got a lot to research.
I am in the process of getting all of my paperwork notatized/apostilled, etc. This won't be a problem.
What are my options if I want to find a job on foot in Korea? Sounds like they might be very limited. I've heard people say to find a job in your home country, arrive in Korea, then look for something else. I would like to stay away form this because I would have to ask for a letter of release from the school, right? And I don't want to burn my school either.
Thanks again for your help... I really appreciate it |
As an American and assuming you don't mind paying your own airfare to Korea you can do a visa run to Guam.
Your employer won't pay your airfare to Korea AND pay for a visa run.
Since you were looking for a government school job anyway, it won't really matter if you do it from abroad or from home. Boots on the ground won't make any real difference (unlike looking at a language academy where the vast majority of horror stories occur).
You are correct that changing jobs mid-contract is NOT easy and can get rather messy and expensive (double fights to Japan in a worst case scenario).
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scratchpiece
Joined: 24 Feb 2011
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| Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 11:40 pm Post subject: |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
Since you were looking for a government school job anyway, it won't really matter if you do it from abroad or from home. Boots on the ground won't make any real difference (unlike looking at a language academy where the vast majority of horror stories occur).
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This is interesting. I've heard that you can find better paying jobs while in Korea... you disagree with this? On a few blogs I've read they claim that you can find a job paying 2.5+if you are here in person and about 2.1 if you find one back home. It would also be nice to see the accommodation.
My last question for you... Any idea if I can arrive on a one-way ticket? |
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scratchpiece
Joined: 24 Feb 2011
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| Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 11:51 pm Post subject: |
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| orosee wrote: |
Ah, Chiang Mai... it used to be beautiful, I hope it still is.
It's a beautiful place... it seems to be growing by the minute though and pollution/traffic have gotten considerably worse since I arrived.
being here was like a hit with a hammer for the first few months.
Seems to be pretty common for a lot of people first arriving in Korea... I'll try to brace myself
a few things also got worse with new friends (mostly weight and alcohol related, and womenfolk).
Hmmm.... I've got the same problems here in Thailand! Sometimes I feel like this place brings out the worst in me (Booze/Womenfolk)... I'm ready for a fresh start.
I heard that there are also interesting opportunities in HK and China.
China was my second choice behind Korea. I basically chose Korea because of the salary.
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Yaya
Joined: 25 Feb 2003
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 12:09 am Post subject: |
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| Please correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't the drinking be worse in Thailand since booze is cheaper there and the weather warmer? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 12:25 am Post subject: |
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| scratchpiece wrote: |
| ttompatz wrote: |
Since you were looking for a government school job anyway, it won't really matter if you do it from abroad or from home. Boots on the ground won't make any real difference (unlike looking at a language academy where the vast majority of horror stories occur).
. |
This is interesting. I've heard that you can find better paying jobs while in Korea... you disagree with this? On a few blogs I've read they claim that you can find a job paying 2.5+if you are here in person and about 2.1 if you find one back home. It would also be nice to see the accommodation.
My last question for you... Any idea if I can arrive on a one-way ticket? |
Yes, for the most part, I disagree with that statement - and especially more so under the current market conditions and new immigration rules.
NO new to Korea PS teacher EVER starts at 2.5+ as a base salary.
Public schools pay on the grid. The grid/pay scale is determined by your credentials and experience. Here or there won't make any difference.
Want the pay bump = bring letters of reference and proof of previous employment. Add a TESOL cert for an extra 100k bump as well.
In an academy it makes a difference if you are here and experienced IN KOREA. Won't make any difference to someone who is NOT experienced in Korea. Under current market conditions you are unlikely to get more than 2.2 or so for a starting salary (again, here or there won't matter).
THEN, you still have the consular interview to worry about - doing your visa run to Guam or back to the states since this is your first E2. Japan is NOT an option for you.
Can you arrive on a one way ticket = maybe.
If you are coming from the states = NO. The airline won't board you (they get stuck with the fine and cost of your return home if there is any problem with your entry).
If you are coming from somewhere in Asia = maybe (depending on how knowledgeable the check-in staff are.)
Legally, if you are arriving on a visa waiver stamp the answer is technically No. The onward - outward passage is a requirement of visa free travel.
Bottom line: don't take my word for it.
Do it your own way but don't say you weren't told.
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