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matty022
Joined: 05 Mar 2012
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 Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 8:25 am Post subject: Documents in hand on arrival |
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Ok guys, I'm trying to plan ahead a bit and be as prepared as possible as far as documents go. Leaving for my first contract in Korea a week from tomorrow and I'm gathering everything up. I want to make sure I have extra documents in case I decide to extend my time in Korea and need to get another visa.
These are the documents I'm planning on bringing along:
1. Passport with visa
2. original copy of my degrees
3. notarized, apostilled copy of both degrees.
4. extra copy of my CBC with apostille (unofficial copy and I'm aware these are only good for 6 months, but thought I'd bring it along anyhow)
5. 2 copies of official transcripts from both degrees
6. 10 passport photos
7. 1 hard copy of my resume
8. 1 hard copy of my contract
9. my US Social Security card?
10. my US drivers license/ID
So is there anything on this list you guys think is completely unnecessary or something I'm forgetting that I should include? I've heard the SS card and drivers license is pretty useless, but I'm not sure.
Like usual, tried searching, but search function is broken. Thanks in advance. |
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Skippy
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Daejeon
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| Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 9:39 am Post subject: |
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| I am not certain BUT make sure that the transcripts are sealed. |
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Ballerina2012
Joined: 17 Jan 2012
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| Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 1:04 pm Post subject: |
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| Are these all extra copies just in case, does everyone take copies of these documents? |
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YTMND
Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Location: You're the man now dog!!
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| Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 6:11 pm Post subject: |
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| original copy of my degrees |
I think you need notarized copies of degrees, keep the original without anything on it.
Only 1 is needed, unless you are applying for a higher level position. It's a waste of money to get two notarized if you are just getting a regular E2 job.
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| copies of official transcripts from both degrees |
Sounds like an old rule, no longer needed. If the school is requesting it, then it is an in house thing.
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| 10 passport photos |
Not disputing this one, but seems like a lot. Did they tell you this? If you are just stocking up, don't bother. They have subway stations with passport photo machines. Very easy to get extras, the immigration office and embassies also will have machines. A little more expensive route would be going to a photo place, but you may need to if you have a rural job and don't feel like going or don't need to go to immigration.
Whenever I had extras, they were either lost or bent due to moving. Better to just get new ones when the time arises.
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| my US Social Security card? |
No, this one you don't need. Either you are just making up a list or someone has given you a made up list and you have failed to compare it with what other schools and recruiters are asking. A simple application to another school through another recruiter would should you don't need this.
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| 10. my US drivers license/ID |
No, this one you don't need. Either you are just making up a list or someone has given you a made up list and you have failed to compare it with what other schools and recruiters are asking. A simple application to another school through another recruiter would should you don't need this. |
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cincynate
Joined: 07 Jul 2009
Location: Jeju-do, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 6:40 pm Post subject: |
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10. my US drivers license/ID
No, this one you don't need. Either you are just making up a list or someone has given you a made up list and you have failed to compare it with what other schools and recruiters are asking. A simple application to another school through another recruiter would should you don't need this. |
I would bring this if you plan on driving in Korea. If you have a US driver's license, it is easy to get a Korean one, you just exchange it for a Korean license, and exchange it back when you're ready to leave |
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YTMND
Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Location: You're the man now dog!!
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| Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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| cincynate wrote: |
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Quote:
10. my US drivers license/ID
No, this one you don't need. Either you are just making up a list or someone has given you a made up list and you have failed to compare it with what other schools and recruiters are asking. A simple application to another school through another recruiter would should you don't need this. |
I would bring this if you plan on driving in Korea. If you have a US driver's license, it is easy to get a Korean one, you just exchange it for a Korean license, and exchange it back when you're ready to leave |
The question pertained to ID, not driving. A typical E2 visa holder is not going to drive to school. We shouldn't include this as one of the possibilities unless they SPECIFICALLY bring it up. It might make others think they need it, when in fact they don't. |
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cincynate
Joined: 07 Jul 2009
Location: Jeju-do, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 8:47 pm Post subject: |
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| The question pertained to ID, not driving |
The question pertained to what documents are needed to be completely prepared.
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| So is there anything on this list you guys think is completely unnecessary |
A driver's license is an ID for driving and it is not completely unnecessary.
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| We shouldn't include this as one of the possibilities unless they SPECIFICALLY bring it up. |
He asked if there is anything else he could possibly need, and if he plans on driving (as it is clearly stated in my reply) then he will need his driver's license. The reason people come to this board to ask questions is they don't know SPECIFICALLY what they need. He asked us to include everything he might possibly need.
Stating that a driver's license could only confuse YTMND because he has only 1/2 a brain. Everyone else who's brain is fully functioning couldn't possibly be confused, as I clearly said "IF YOU PLAN ON DRIVING".
Please stop posting your useless and uninformative posts on this board. |
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matty022
Joined: 05 Mar 2012
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| Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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| YTMND wrote: |
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| original copy of my degrees |
I think you need notarized copies of degrees, keep the original without anything on it.
Only 1 is needed, unless you are applying for a higher level position. It's a waste of money to get two notarized if you are just getting a regular E2 job.
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| copies of official transcripts from both degrees |
Sounds like an old rule, no longer needed. If the school is requesting it, then it is an in house thing.
| Quote: |
| 10 passport photos |
Not disputing this one, but seems like a lot. Did they tell you this? If you are just stocking up, don't bother. They have subway stations with passport photo machines. Very easy to get extras, the immigration office and embassies also will have machines. A little more expensive route would be going to a photo place, but you may need to if you have a rural job and don't feel like going or don't need to go to immigration.
Whenever I had extras, they were either lost or bent due to moving. Better to just get new ones when the time arises.
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| my US Social Security card? |
No, this one you don't need. Either you are just making up a list or someone has given you a made up list and you have failed to compare it with what other schools and recruiters are asking. A simple application to another school through another recruiter would should you don't need this.
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| 10. my US drivers license/ID |
No, this one you don't need. Either you are just making up a list or someone has given you a made up list and you have failed to compare it with what other schools and recruiters are asking. A simple application to another school through another recruiter would should you don't need this. |
#2 on my list was notarized apostilled copies of my degrees. Why bring just one degree when I have two and may need the second?
I had to send transcripts to K Immigration to get my visa. I'll definitely be bringing extras.
The passport photos are just cause I got 20 before I started the whole visa application process and these are extras.
I wasn't sure about the SSN card cause yes I did make this list up. Figured these were important documents that I may need. Same with the drivers' license. I don't plan on driving, but I'll be carrying my wallet anyhow so I don't think keeping the license and SSN card in there will hurt anything.
Rather be prepared than get here and realize I need it. |
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Skippy
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Daejeon
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| Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 10:05 pm Post subject: |
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You may also consider getting the ARC card application form printed out and filled in what can be done. So when you land and a day or two later you can then hopefully go right in to immigration and get your ARC. Where to get the form, well check hikorea.go.kr.
Also consider bringing any needed paperwork concerning health issues. Still keep it quiet. Remember unless you have something serious all answers to health questions is NO and I am fine. Serious = AIDS, NOT SERIOUS = took antidepressants for a few months a few years ago. Also do some scouting on the health check. You want to get that done quickly to get ARC card. So find a hospital close and how much it will cost.
Side note any bank detail.... Routing Code, branch address, etc. Also consider notifying your bank of your travels. You do not want you CC to be flagged and stopped because the company thinks your card is been stolen.
Money is also good.
Good Luck and Good Job on trying to be independent. The more you do for yourself, the less likely you will be screwed. Expect some help from recruiter in the first little while before he or she disappears. |
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YTMND
Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Location: You're the man now dog!!
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| Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 11:55 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| The question pertained to what documents are needed to be completely prepared. |
To be completely prepared for a typical E2 visa does NOT and NEVER WILL require a driver's license. You might get this out in Japan at times, but in Korea, they simply do not do this. The big reason is that you only have one employer at one location, so they get you an apartment near the school. In Japan and China you can be farmed out to different school locations and need transportation.
This is not necessarily for the person I am replying to to read but also for the typical E2 visa holder who wants a job in Korea. You should not expect that you need to drive. If anything, negotiate it as a perk for them, not a standard you will do for free.
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| A driver's license is an ID for driving and it is not completely unnecessary. |
If you take into account exceptions, different visa, etc.... then it is possibly useful, but still it is not necessary. For the typical E2 visa holder, they do not need to bring a driver's license to Korea unless it is SPECIFICALLY brought up, and if it is then it is a unique case.
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| The reason people come to this board to ask questions is they don't know SPECIFICALLY what they need. He asked us to include everything he might possibly need. |
He might also need a hernia operation. However, common sense would dictate some things are not among the "essentials". Having a driver's license is not something recruiters email teachers need unless it is SPECIFICALLY needed.
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| Please stop posting your useless and uninformative posts on this board. |
Ok, he should get hernia operation insurance too, after all it is a possibility right? 
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| Why bring just one degree when I have two and may need the second? |
You won't need the second unless you have a specific reason to. The typical E2 visa holder won't need it. If you later find out you need it, then it is not that hard to get it. If you are worried about degrees, wait till you find out about the CBC checks. Those are a real doozy.
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| I had to send transcripts to K Immigration to get my visa. I'll definitely be bringing extras. |
This is a unique situation. First, you know Korean? Immigration spoke Korean or English to you? Or were you told by the school/recruiter? Let's continue on this path. What's is your story on this bud?
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| The passport photos are just cause I got 20 before I started the whole visa application process and these are extras. |
Usually, they are 4 or 8 a pack, but go hog wild, get 1,000. The more the merrier.
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| I did make this list up |
Maybe you should talk to more schools and recruiters first. You are going to go through a lot of useless legwork to be "prepared" for nothing. Bring the duct tape!!!
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Side note any bank detail.... Routing Code, branch address, etc. Also consider notifying your bank of your travels. You do not want you CC to be flagged and stopped because the company thinks your card is been stolen.
Money is also good. |
Finally, I can hang my hat on this post. This is what the typical E2 visa holder should be spending more time on. Do you have finances in order, can you last 1.5 months without pay? Be prepared the right way folks!!! |
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Skippy
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Daejeon
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| Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 4:03 am Post subject: |
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| Extra paperwork can be helpful if and when the fecal matter hits the fan. Have those extra papers can mean the ability to leave a cruddy job and come back easier. |
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matty022
Joined: 05 Mar 2012
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| Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 5:11 am Post subject: |
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| Skippy wrote: |
Side note any bank detail.... Routing Code, branch address, etc. Also consider notifying your bank of your travels. You do not want you CC to be flagged and stopped because the company thinks your card is been stolen.
Money is also good.
Good Luck and Good Job on trying to be independent. The more you do for yourself, the less likely you will be screwed. Expect some help from recruiter in the first little while before he or she disappears. |
Yes, some of this I've done. I made sure my bank knew I was going overseas and to not flag my card. I'll be bringing along my checkbook so I'll have my routing and account numbers.
Glad you brought up money...I plan on bringing along/having access to at least $1000 USD when I get there to last me until I get paid. I don't want to carry all of it with me though. Will there be international ATMs in my city (Gwangju, Jeollanamdo) or just in the airport when I arrive? Should I carry cash or traveler's checks? Not sure how TCs would work in South Korea so I don't wanna put all my money into TCs if I won't be able to cash them. |
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Skippy
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Daejeon
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| Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 5:26 am Post subject: |
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| Use the Global ATM. You should be able to find one. As the fees and exhange rate is will differ. I would avoid traveller's checks. They can be used. But they can be tricky to deal with. Finding a proper bank, language barrier, etc. |
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YTMND
Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Location: You're the man now dog!!
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| Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 7:31 am Post subject: |
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| I plan on bringing along/having access to at least $1000 USD |
I suggest keeping your money in your account and bringing a credit card and debit card. For cash, see if the school will loan you money and take it out from your first pay. This is a lot safer and you won't be charged for it. $500 is plenty to live off of. |
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Keeper
Joined: 11 Jun 2012
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| Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 4:44 am Post subject: |
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Cash is far better.
My bank (and possibly yours) charges for every debit I make in a foreign country. It's not cheap either. ATM transaction fee, bank fee, changing it into local currency... I use it for emergencies and called the bank with my current location. They still blocked the card when purchasing airline tickets. After another phone call I had that block lifted from the card. |
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