Korean Job Discussion Forums

[coolidge1979]

I'm in an interesting situation.

My contract at a public school finishes at the end of September. I want to try for a univerity gig that starts on March 1, 2012. I don't have the money to not be working those five months that I'd be without a job, so I've asked my school if they'd extend me another 5 months(to the end of February, 2012). They said they would. I was doing backflips out of joy. I thought they were going to simply extend me, without making me sign another year long contract.

Today they tell me they want me to sign on for another year and that I'd be free to go at the end of February. The principal says he won't give me a release letter in February. I tried to explain how easy it is for them to do, but he refuses and says he won't take the responsibility or something like that.

I believe this could work for me anyway. I think if I leave the country(at the end of February) and go to the Korean Embassy in Japan(with my new university contract) I can get a new visa.

Has anyone done this before? How did it work out? How did your new job(public school or university) react to you not getting a release letter and having to leave the country?

Thanks

[ttompatz]

[coolidge1979]

Thanks for the info. Did you do this yourself? And how long did the whole process take? Also, how long ago was it? I wonder if I could do the whole process in a week or so.

I called immigration and the woman I spoke with said it would take only one trip out of the country and back. I realize we typically get a different answer everytime we call immigration.

Cheers

[coolidge1979]

Thanks for the info. Did you do this yourself? And how long did the whole process take? Also, how long ago was it? I wonder if I could do the whole process in a week or so.

I called immigration and the woman I spoke with said it would take only one trip out of the country and back. I realize we typically get a different answer everytime we call immigration.

Cheers

[SeoulNate]

well, getting the documents together is going to take a lot longer than a week.

The first time you go to Japan you only need to stay the night and come back the next day.

It will then take 5-12 business days or so to get your visa processed when you come back to Korea.

After that another day or two in Japan to complete the visa process and you can come back.

I would say more like 2 and a half weeks outside of the time it takes you to get the documents together.

[coolidge1979]

By documents, I assume you mean my apostilled degree and CBC, along with my new contract?

[coolidge1979]

Just called immigration again. They gave me the same answer as the first time, and, they called my province's immigration office just to make sure. They are adamant that I need to leave just once, armed with a new "insurance number" that I would get from my future employer after they contact immigration two to three weeks prior.

[ttompatz]

[coolidge1979]

They told me, when I leave that first and only time, to give my ARC to the immigration office at the aiport.

How would my school cancel my visa without giving me the LOR?

Are you speaking from personal experience and how long ago was that experience?

[ttompatz]

I have no experience in Korea and have no clue what I am talking about.

Do it your way.

IF you manage to get a new visa confirmation number while you are still under contract and on an E2 you will be the 1st (EVER). I will celebrate and jump for joy for you if that happens to be the case.

Good luck. You're going to need it.

.

[coolidge1979]

There is no MY way. Just trying to find my through some different pieces of advice.

Looking at my replies I don't see anything disrespectful. I think it's funny you're insulted when asked to elaborate on one of your many ESL experiences. Of course we know immigration policies and procedures NEVER change. I'm a big Mr. Poopy Pants for wondering about when you did your visa run. And of course forums on the internet are ONLY filled with experts. "Hey, take my word for it. I'm some dude on the internet."

Anyway, I appreciate your input.

[morrisonhotel]

[thegadfly]

[coolidge1979]

Hey, I was thinking he was probably right, too. If someone feels they are too good to answer an extra question or throw an example out to clarify when asked to, they don't have to. All my questions were straight forward with no sarcasm. They can be answered or left alone. Like I said, I appreciate all the input. I don't get the crotchetiness, though.

[SeoulNate]