Korean Job Discussion Forums

[BigJ]

Hello,

I realize this question has been asked a number of times but just like everything else to do with the visa process there are many conflicting answers. Furthermore, I think this case is a little different than some of the other postings and I want to address some of the specifics, especially as they apply to the process through the Toronto or other Canadian consulates. Anyways, I am asking this question on behalf of my significant other and I hope that some people on here could help me answer it with their own experiences.

My significant other was born overseas (Europe) in one of the many countries where English is not the first language. She came to Canada and finished high school (final grade) here. Following that, she graduated from university with a four-year BA. She has been working in customer service that whole time, where despite some examples, proper English is and should be in all service sectors, a requirement of the job. So I was wondering how this will stand with Korean immigration in the process of obtaining an E2? I will reiterate the following:

- Lived in Canada for 10+ years (but not in our education system for that whole time, just most of it)
- BA from Canadian University
- Canadian Passport
- 100-Hour TESOL degree
- Negligible accent if any at all
- Native-looking (white, light skin, green eyes, etc.)

What are the chances she will get an E2 Visa? The Korean consulate has some pretty specific requirements but I have been told by a number of recruiters, former teachers, and forum postings here and other places that all you need is a BA and a passport from one of the seven countries. Others I have consulted with say that ten years of English education IN one of the seven countries is a requirement, which I think is absurd given her abilities and comprehension. I guess I am just trying to temper my hopes with reasonable expectations.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Triple007]

Let me be the first to say. There is hope. I have an extremely similar situation. My significant other was born in a spanish speaking country, she lived there for most of her life, (coming back to the States a couple times per year.) her mom was from puerto rico so she received U.S. Citizenship. Throughout her whole life she went to an American International School. She graduated from a California University, and her accent is nonexistent. We talked with our recruiter and she said there would be no problem at all. Hope this helps! It is also a case by case basis though.

[BigJ]

Thank you!

Are you both currently teaching in Korea or are you also looking for a job there? I have had different recruiters tell me different things. One suggested we look into working in Georgia... yeah... I think they may be trying to avoid a potential hassle and at the same time trying to fill vacancies.

We are open to other teaching opportunities abroad, but I am still running into issues regarding the definition of native speaker and whether or not it is a visa requirement. So if anyone has suggestions on other ESL destinations that would accept her that would be great. We are both passionate about the job and I believe more mature than other applicants. Money is key however, and places like Georgia, despite the low cost of living, just won't meet our minimum requirements (debts).

[northway]

I know a couple Canadians with similar backgrounds who haven't had any problem. The requirement is that you went to high school and uni in one of the seven countries and hold a passport from one as well. Don't sweat it.

[ttompatz]

Bottom line:

She has a Canadian passport (she is Canadian).
Her degree is from an English speaking University in Canada.
She has no criminal background in Canada *clean CRC.

She meets the criteria for getting an E2. She will have no problem (from immigration) getting an E2 visa. The rest of the tale is irrelevant - keep it to herself.

.

[tokkibunni8]

Canadian passport, degree from Canada...... Thats all u need.

[BigJ]

Thank you both for your replies, and I trust that you are right.

It's only because I am especially pedantic that I am going to post a couple of the requirements under the E2 Visa regulations that are posted on the Toronto consulate website. Not to second guess any of your replies but just to either highlight my misinterpretation of the E2 requirements, a possible error on their part or a shameful loophole designed to give them certain racial controls over qualified applicants.

The Second Point

[BigJ]

Hate to burden you guys again...

This is to ttompatz. The consulate in Toronto asks us to fill out a visa application form in which it asks you nationality, place of birth, etc. I believe this is the second stage of the process, presumably after we get the visa issuance number and thus would follow the interview at the consulate.

Would this tip them off to the information we otherwise want to hide or as you put it the "rest of the tale." Or are you recommending that we just avoid being too explicit about it (ie. with the recruiters, schools, directors, etc.)? Because I assume under nationality she would put down what was on her passport and that they would also be clearly aware from both documents that she was not born here.

Anyways, I am probably too concerned with the whole thing but I don't want to make any mistakes.

Thanks guys.

[cheolsu]

I'm from Toronto and I was born in Pakistan. I've had two E2 visas and a C4 visa (short-term employment). I moved to Canada when I was in elementary school, but there's no record of that. I've seen the requirement to prove that you studied in Canada starting in grade 7 in various places (SMOE, I think).

I got both E2 visas in Osaka, where no one cared where I was born, but I got the C4 in Toronto. The woman at the consulate asked me to find something like a report card from my middle school. I told her that the best I could do was high school, which was fine for her. I imagine that tracking down middle school report cards from the school board for a 40-day visa was probably too much. I brought a high school report card when I applied for the visa. I can't remember if she looked at it, but I know that she didn't take it.

[ttompatz]

[Sheril]

BigJ, as long as you significant other has been living in Canada for over 10 years she will be fine. I was asked to show my landed immigrant papers and when they saw that I came 10 years ago I got my E2 Visa. I never went to middle school in Canada, just high school. Hope this helps!

[Girlygirl]

When I was at the Toronto Consulate for the interview in 2008, I met a Canadian who got rejected because he only attended from high school onward. As for myself, I had to prove that I did attend from elementary school in Canada. I tracked down my old school. Luckily, my homeroom teacher then is the school principal now. Other posters who didn't have to prove that requirement because they got lucky. As in your girlfriend's case, I suggest she hide that fact or make some excuse. I'm certain once she gets to the interview, they will ask her. Good luck!

[Hello]

[BigJ]

Well,

I see that I have received a number of different responses to this question.

This question is for Sheril, did they ask you about high school/middle school at all? And if they made these inquiries, were they during the final interview stage or beforehand?

It seems like the best bet is to have the landed immigrant papers on and high school records on hand if it comes to that. Also it seems like the best thing to do in the instance they request grade 7 reports to point out that the elementary marks are unattainable because in this instance the school no longer exists (which is true but might not go into the details). And from ttompatz suggestion, just avoid any explicit reference to these details and her background story unless specifically probed about them.

I wonder if Korean immigration is even aware that its Canadian consulates are refusing people based on meeting these stupid requirements. As I have pointed out most people/recruiters/websites state that all you need is a BA and passport (and English ability of course).

[Junior]