Korean Job Discussion Forums

[TeacherTeacherTeach4]

Hi,

I have a job in Seoul beginning on the 18th May, but don't have my visa yet. The school applied for the visa issuance number about 2 weeks ago but I have not yet received it, and have pestered them enough to try and speed the process up.

It's looking like I won't have enough time to get the visa in the UK now (it takes minimum 5 working days + postage days either side).

Am I able to fly directly to Japan and get the E2 visa there once I have the VIN? I understand this only takes 3 days? Or is the VIN the school is waiting for tied to me applying from the UK in some way?

Thanks for the help.

[Troglodyte]

You can pick it up at any Korean embassy or consulate, including the ones in Japan.

If the school is making you come over before you have the visa, and they want you to go to Japan to get it, then the normal procedure is for THEM to pay for your visa run (flight + hotel at the very least). They should also be providing the standard flight to Korea (from the UK in your case) and offering you a flight home when you've finished your contract. Make sure that they provide you with the flight to Korea. Don't accept their promise to reimburse you once you get here. Too many schools have done that and then decided not to hire the teacher after he had arrived. If you come over on your own dime and you have no visa, you're SOL if the school dumps you. You can't go to the labor board or court.

[TeacherTeacherTeach4]

Thanks for the reply.

I've emailed the school again asking their advice, they haven't yet mentioned the Japan approach, I was just curious if it would be possible.

If the VIN can be used in any embassy then it should be fine hopefully. I've already signed a contract with the school, they reimburse flights, but I've also spoke to current teachers there who had no issues with this. I would fly straight from the UK to Japan in order to save time, and apply for the visa there which I understand takes 3 days, then fly to Korea. However, I would also ensure that my flights from the UK to Japan, and Japan to Korea were to be reimbursed before taking this approach.

[ThingsComeAround]

Sounds like overkill.

Why would the school send you to Japan when you can pickup the visa at a consulate in the UK? Then they would save the extra ~300 GBP for the flight to Japan.

[Troglodyte]