Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lichtarbeiter]

Hello,

My girlfriend got a job in Jeju, so I decided it would be a good excuse to finally quit the job (near Seoul) that I had been working at for 5 years, and move there with her.

I came back to Canada 2 weeks ago, and I'm planning to return to Korea on visa-free entry (6 months allowance for Canadians) and move to Jeju in 2 weeks from now.

I decided not to apply for a job in advance because the only Jeju job advertisements were the typical kindy-elementary hagwon gigs that I've done before and have no interest in doing again. I have enough money to sustain myself for some months, so I've decided to just move there, lay low for a while, and see if I can find something decent through a ground search.

I just have a few questions:

1) Is it technically illegal to search for a job during visa-free entry? Of course, if I found a job, I would do the paperwork and get my E-2, but is it going to be a problem if my bag is searched and some E-2 related documents are found when I go through immigration with no visa?

2) I have seen through a couple non-official sources that if I've been out of the country for a period less than 3 months, I don't need to do another Criminal Background Check. Can anybody confirm this through a more official source? Does it make any difference that I handed in my ARC to immigration upon leaving the country (which I assume means I'm getting a new visa rather than extending my old one)? Am I also exempt from the degree notarization requirement?

3) Assuming that I still need the CBC and degree notarization through the local consulate, is that all I need to finish? It appears to me that after that, there's nothing more for me to do in terms of the E-2 process until I have an employer to sponsor me. Is there anything else I need to do while I'm still in Canada?

Thanks!

[Internacular]

I'm currently in the same boat as you. Thinking about going over there with all the necessary documents in hand and trying my luck at finding a job on the ground. I've had a few decent interviews (I have a Master's and 2 years of teaching exp. between Korea and the US, so not terribly worried about finding at least -something-), but my gut says that I'll be in a better position to land timely, quality jobs if I can interview in person, be in the right place at the right time, etc.

1) I doubt there is anything illegal about searching for a job on a tourist visa (though feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, anyone) as long as you aren't actually working (and getting paid for it).

2) That was indeed the case last time I was working in Korea (2013). The D-10 visa may have been the best course of action for somebody in your situation (a 6 month bridge visa that allows you to stay in the country after your contract ends while you look for a new job). That ship may have sailed now that you're officially off the E2, but its worth looking into. As for the degree notarization, I'm pretty sure that doesn't expire (though you still need to present copies).

3) I think that's pretty much it...hope I'm right, ha!

If you don't mind, I'd like to add a question of my own to the thread, being:

4) Do employers look down on people looking for a job while in the country on a tourist visa? A friend suggested that being unemployed there could be bad for job prospects. Not too worried about it, as I'll be taking Korean courses and can point to that as what I'm currently doing, but still something I'm thinking about.

Will be very curious to read the responses here!

[trueblue]

[Internacular]

[ttompatz]

1) No, it is not illegal to search for employment on a tourist entry.

2) Jeju makes its own rules. Yes, that is accurate but....

3) New police check with Korean consulate stamp and copy of your degree with a Korean consulate stamp and you are worry free for 6 months (when the police check expires) regardless of #2.
It's not like they take a long time to get done when you are actually IN Canada. $100 now to save headaches later.

.

[trueblue]

[lichtarbeiter]

I appreciate all the helpful responses!