Korean Job Discussion Forums

pisica_habibi · Joined: 06 May 2011

I might be changing jobs, which will mean I'll have to give up my E-2 visa for an E-7 visa. Would I need anything from my current employer? What if I am unable to a letter of release?

I have done this in the past, but the school was closing, so my boss was very willing to work with me to help me get the paperwork I needed for a new job. I'm not so sure my current boss will be so helpful, especially last minute (my contract requires 45 days notice, and this new potential job would start in a few weeks).

Any advice anyone has would be greatly appreciated!

Zyzyfer · Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 8:21 pm Post subject:

There's no lateral switch to my knowledge like transferring an E-2 between jobs.

Leave country, turn in ARC at airport, take a short trip somewhere, come back, start E-7 application process.

If your E-2 work is related to your potential E-7 work, getting a certification of employment to basically proved you worked there isn't always mandatory, but might be useful in getting the E-7 approved without fuss.

Other than that, as of December 2010 (when I applied for my latest E-7), you still just need your original degree and transcripts. And approval from the appropriate ministry. Then you'll have to do a visa run.

stuck2 · Joined: 22 Feb 2010

It is possible to transfer from an E2 to an E7, as I did it last March, although I don't think it is a common thing to do. Luckily the HR manager where I work is really good and managed to persuade immigration to transfer it fuss free.

I needed a letter of release from my previous employer plus the usual degree and transcripts. I believe my employer had to vouch that I was suitable for the role as an E7 visa is a specialist one. My employer also managed to extended my visa for 16 months and not the usual 12.

tehdee · Joined: 01 Apr 2008

has anyone else been able to do what STUCK2 has, and pull a straight transfer from an e2 to an e7.

i have all the appropriate documents including the LOR and maybe some "pull" because of who my new employer will be, but am still looking for some success (or failure) stories. probably heading in to immigration on Tuesday.

Zyzyfer · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 4:42 pm Post subject:

stuck2 is the first case I've heard of.

Just see what happens at immigration, E-7 is harder to get but ironically is less fussy in many ways, so you won't be totally FUBAR if they make you cancel the E-2 first.

big_fella1 · Joined: 08 Dec 2005

I got an E7 years ago, but I was on a tourist entry at the time as my E2 had expired and I went home. It took about 10 weeks altogether, 6 weeks of that was getting the reference from the Korean ministry to submit to immigration.

It depends on what your E7 is for, if it is teaching at an international school that will be easier than an E7 as a marketing consultant.

The reference step is to ensure that you aren't taking a job from a Korean, thus teaching has a lower bar than other fields as Korea has many unemployed graduates.