Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mcgda278]

Hello everyone!!

My CRC is taking forever to come through, and my recruiter has just asked me if im willing to go to Korea on tourist visa until everything for E-2 is ready. And then switch to my E-2. Does anyone know if this is legal? Good idea/bad idea?

Any help here would be much appreciated!
Thanks,
Danielle

[Skippy]

You can not transfer to an E-2 while in country. You will likely have to do a Japan visa trip.

It is doable, but complications can arise. Having to pay more money for the Japan trip.

Also, some people do work illegally for a short time before they get their visa. It is done, odds of getting caught are short if time is short. So some schools might have you work for a week then send you to Japan for your visa.

This has been discussed before in some other threads like....

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?p=2063037

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?p=2165162

[mcgda278]

thanks for the links! thought id seen something like that on here....

they want me to fly out ASAP, but not gonna get my CRC for at least 3 weeks, plus 3 week visa application...... i feel like this could rapidly become a longish illegal venture, which kinda freaks me out!

you said in previous comments that you would definitely not recommend it to first timers?

[Skippy]

Back then, there was a rule about first timers needed to do a consulate interview in their home country. I am pretty certain that is not done anymore.

Once again a short time is doable. A week or two before your are sent off to Japan or Guam or wherever, can be fine. Just when it gets past a month then you should see it as a sign that the future will be filled with just as bad planning.

Also do not let the recruiter push you to coming over ASAP. Remember recruiters do not work for you. They get paid for filling in positions. More so if you are paying for the airline ticket yourself. Even if you do come over ahead of time. Plan for some contingencies. It might be all well and good, but the school could then just say hey we do not like you and decide to not send you on a visa trip.

[YTMND]

If you can do it, and you have money to live off of, then I recommend finding a job in the country. I have always had better success visiting the schools first. Signing up for a year with any school is a greater gamble.

[viciousdinosaur]

It's been done. They'll fly you to Japan after a month. There is a slim chance of getting caught. 1% maybe. You must be pretty special for them to go to all the extra costs in this market. But I guess being female doesn't hurt.

[mcgda278]

Okay slim chance of getting caught is making me feel better at least....
GAH she is really really pushing me to leave ASAP.
If they are paying for my plane tickets, upfront, it sounds more likely that they are going to follow through on my contract right?

[ttompatz]