Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sck2012]

Hi.

Here's the scenario...

1. The person worked in Korea on an E2 visa.
2. The person faced problems in the job (I won't go in depth) and quit the job. Also known as a midnight run.
3. The employer makes a fuss of this and reports it to the immigration.
4. Said person attempts to come back to Korea on another E2 visa, finds a new school and applies again, in person in South Korea.
5. Immigration consults previous school and decides not to provide a visa issuance number.
6. The person talks with the immigration officer face to face. The officer explains that the rules have tightened and after discussing things with the previous employer, they decided not to issue another. He goes on to say that it would be possible to attain another E2 in the future, just give it time and try again.
7. The person re-evaluates and makes a lot of decisions. They decide to pursue a master's in Korea and after a lengthy application process, are offered a full scholarship place at university.
8. The person checks the visa process and there is no contact with Korean immigration at the start. No issuance number is required. It is a case of taking the acceptance letters to the local embassy and they will issue the D2. Then, in South Korea they will need to visit immigration before 90 days and sort out the ARC.

So...

Can you see any troubles getting back into the country in this situation. Not so much getting back in, rather the issuing of the D2? It does not involve working with children and obviously is arranged off the persons back, i.e: self funded. Do you think the embassy could refuse it? Do you think the embassy could stamp a D2 visa, the person flies out, starts studying and then gets turned away by Korean immigration in the country?

Thank you for considering this.

[tardisrider]

You can come back.

[ttompatz]

No problems as long as you qualify for the D2.

.

[coralreefer_1]

Technically, you shouldnt have any problems.

That said, it would only take one immigration official having a bad day to see that black mark by your name, and come to the conclusion the person were simply finding the easiest way back into the country to work illegally.

Not saying that is the case, but immigration may have such questions and ask them. I was told the same thing by an immigration official years ago because I came to Korea initially on a sports scholarship at a university (D2) but afterward changed my visa to D4 so I could enter a full time Korean Language program.

That officers thinking was...that usually foreign students go from D4 and then D2...not the other way around...and he asked my flatly "are you staying here so you can work illegally"? I ended up having to show bank record of all my transactions to prove I had not been working previously while on the D2 before he would issue me the D4.

In short, the person may not have any issues, but should be prepared for a situation/accusation like the above.

[sck2012]

Thanks for the advice.

I suppose the biggest fear would be being issued a visa by the embassy, only to come to Korea and being refused by Korean immigration when sorting out the ARC. That would mean investing everything (plane ticket etc), starting a master's scholarship, only to have to go home again with nothing...can't see that scenario playing out though as surely that would make a mockery of the system?

But, I satisfy the conditions of the D2. The university doesn't have any issues. Hopefully no troubles this time.

Thanks again.