Korean Job Discussion Forums

greatunknown · Joined: 04 Feb 2010

There is a school I am interested in working that would like it if I came to Korea on a tourist visa and did a visa run out of the country a few weeks later when immigration process's my E2.

I've been in contact with other foreign teachers from this school who gave glowing recommendations.

I haven't agreed to anything. But just to clarify, this would be illegal right? What are the risks? How common of a request is this? Should I take this as some sort of red flag indicating questionable business practices and move on in my search for employment?

I'm assuming this is a no-go and I am definitely not interested in breaking any laws. But, any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 3:52 pm Post subject:

Yes it is illegal to teach on a tourist visa.
I would personally never accept a job that asked this, go to Korea with your E2 in hand if at all possible.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Additionally, by-and-large, if this is your first E2 visa the Japan visa run may not be an option (home country consular interviews are still required for most first time applicants).

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Abacus · Joined: 03 Jul 2009

I only have experience in Taiwan but I see two reasons why the school wants to do it this way.

A) Your first two weeks are a job interview. And if you fail the interview they can decide not to give you a contract and you're a completely screwed.

B) They need a teacher right now and can't wait for your paperwork to be processed. This is slightly defensible but again you're taking all of the risks. And you might need to fly home to get your E-2 visa which is really inconvenient and costly.

If it were me then I might agree to start early (if I thought it was a good job) provided they are covering a significant portion (or all) of the first flight to Korea and the round trip to process the E-2. And get reimbursed for the first flight before you teach. That at least shows they are committed to you.

lifeinkorea · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: somewhere in China

Abacus · Joined: 03 Jul 2009

lifeinkorea · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: somewhere in China

Kepler · Joined: 24 Sep 2007

I think it's pretty common. Every time I've been to Japan to get a visa, I've run into several other teachers who were also doing a visa run. If you're getting glowing recommendations from other teachers and the school is willing to buy you an airplane ticket to come to Korea then it'll probably work out.

Abacus · Joined: 03 Jul 2009

isitts · Joined: 25 Dec 2008 Location: Korea

Abacus, let it go. This is not Taiwan. I've taught there, too. Even if your guesses are correct, that has nothing to do with how the regulations are enforced.

In Taiwan, it was common place to start on a tourist visa. Not here.

cert43 · Joined: 17 Jun 2010

Would do it ONLY if they were paying the airfare/housing

greatunknown · Joined: 04 Feb 2010

I've been told the school has two foreign teachers ending their contracts in June. Airfare and housing is paid, and the cost of the visa run to Japan would be covered. The in person interview at the Korean Consulate is not applicable to me.

WadRUG'naDoo · Joined: 15 Jun 2010 Location: Shanghai

I would have to say there's probably no worry IF you can do a visa run to Japan. That's what I did for my first job in Korea and I ended up working there for 3 full contracts. On my first pay (which was unofficial because it was before I had the work visa), I was handed a big wad of cash and asked to count it to confirm the amount. No tax because it was unofficial.

Can you do a visa run to Japan? Is it allowed in your case? Ask them. Bring up that it's your first job in Korea and that you heard that if that's the case that you can't do a visa run to Japan. See what they say.

sing81 · Joined: 09 Apr 2011 Location: USA

I think it's a bad idea. When you're doing someting illegal, you put yourself at risk? If you run into problems, who will help you? You don't know for sure if these people will keep their word, but if you had a visa you would have some protection. The teacher whom you are replacing may lie and the one with their contracts ending may lie as well to cover their own butts. It could go well, or very badly. Is it worth the risk?

jrwhite82 · Joined: 22 May 2010

Without a work visa aren't you required to have an exit ticket when you enter the country?

OP - If the school is willing to foot the bill for your plane ticket up front (not reimbursed) and is willing to pay for the visa run to Japan. Then I'd say you at least don't have to worry about them screwing you. There is a chance you might get busted by immigration. A small chance, but a chance none the less.

If you can get an E2 without doing a consular interview in your home country, it makes things much easier.

So to recap - check to see if immigration requires a return/onward ticket, you don't need an interview, they are paying up front and in full, and are paying for the visa run. Then consider the risks you are taking.

I wouldn't do this. In fact, I was in the same situation about a year ago and I walked away from the opportunity. I felt if they are willing to bend all around these rules, what others are they going to bend in the future? (start screwing around with pension, health care, severance, holidays etc...) But, if they have glowing reviews...then.....your choice.