Korean Job Discussion Forums

[smwood]

Got my E-2 visa, everything went smoothly. The new system seems to work pretty well.

Now I have to get an ARC; I work in three (government) schools, have one employer. It's kosher; everything is going well after the inevitable startup bumps in the road.

I had intended to register all three teaching locations and the one employer when I go to Immigration next week. However, the recruiter I went through (that's a whole other story!) is trying to insist that I only put down the one school on the ARC application; he's terrified that I will be denied the card.

Seems weird to me. Actually, it seems kinda fishy. Firstly: I've no intention of lying and leaving myself open to being busted for working in places I am not registered to work in. I didn't come all the way to Korea (I have proper credentials) and go through the whole visa run process just to lie on the ARC application!

So. Does anyone have any info on the ARC process and if/how I put more than one place of employment on the application? It's my understanding that I just need the proper documents from all three premises and extra cash to pay for the additional places I work at.

I have to register in Taesan, Chungcheomnam-do, as I don't live anywhere near Seoul.

Thanks,

~ smw

[Ya-ta Boy]

I'm also working at three separate places. I was hired first by one place, then farmed out to the other two, so that part is different from your situation.

To do it, you need:

a) a contract from each of the three places, with one contract recognized in writing as the main contract

b) a letter of permission from the main place allowing you to work at the others

c) letters requesting that you work in the 2nd and 3rd places

d) passport

e) ARC card

f) W60,000 for the additional work places (The schools paid for mine separately; I don't know if the total for yours would be W60,000 or W120,000)

g) an 'addition of workplaces' form from Immigration (probably two separate ones (We downloaded one of them from the Immi site online.)

I suggest someone from your primary workplace accompany you to the Immi office in case there is any trouble or questions.

Immi kept my passport/ARC card for about 10 days and mailed them back to me.

I agree with you 100% about doing it all legally. No reason for you to put your neck at risk. You need to get this done asap because you are already working illegally. You shouldn't have started working anyplace but the primary place until after you got the stamps.

Good luck.

[denverdeath]

Were you hired through EPIK(or similar) or are you an "after school" teacher? Regardless, who is on the contract? Your name and whose? Who's the "one employer"?

[smwood]

The "one employer" is the main school I teach at. The pricipal of that school is the employer on my contract.

The other two schools are much smaller schools. We're in the middle of nowhere and it makes sense to have me at three places: there's enough work to justify hiring me and this way three schools get to have one teacher on the payroll.

I guess the only reason I felt things were weird is that all of a sudden the recruiter started choking and demanding that I lie and say I only have one employer. I see no reason why (a) it's any of his business and (b) it should present a problem in the first place.

Thanks for the information. That really helps. My own enquiries have turned up similar requirements; it seems though that each place requires an additional 60,000 per place of work. So all in all it will be 130,000.

[denverdeath]

The only problem I can see with your plan is that you're supposed to provide a contract for each additional place when you apply to have them added onto your ARC at immigration. Is the amt you're getting paid and the req'd hours listed in your main contract with the main school? Maybe you can get them to change the wording somewhat...like change 2.0 mil for 24 hours to 1.2 for 12 hours. Then, have the other two schools each make up a contract for 6 hours at 500,000 or sth. I don't know, just an idea.

[smwood]

Can I ask one question for clarification? The thread started as a question re. how I get the ARC. I do not have one right now; I'm applying for it next week(first chance I've had). The replies seem to suggest I ought to have an ARC already.

The three schools and the hours I work during the week are all on the original contract, along with the [one] employer's name, address etc. I thought this would be a simple matter of applying for the ARC and getting all three schools put on the ARC card at the same time.

Cheers,

~ smw

[the eye]

yes, it is a matter of getting all locations on the card at the same time. since your contract has all locations, it' should go smoothly.

and, no, you don't need the card immediately. you have three months from the start date of your visa.

[smwood]

... yeah, that's what I thought. So does that mean I am not working illegally? Thanks for that last post: I've been sweating buckets since last night when this issue came up. It seems if you want to play it straight and square here you better be ready for the long haul!

Anyways, FWIW I reckon it should be straightforward so long as I have the right documents. Unless, of course, there's something going on that I am unaware of. All three schools and their principals are awesome, so I think really this is just the recruiter getting weird.

Fingers crossed. I'll post back if/when this is resolved. Thanks for all the help.

~ smw

[the eye]

no, you are not working illegally... as long as all locations are on your contract and eventually on the ARC.
the recruiter may be confused between stipulating 'one employer' and 'one location'

[Ya-ta Boy]

Sorry. I did overstate it when I said you are working illegally. I was reacting to the multiple workplace issue, which is quite contentious lately. It has been reported that we can only work at 2 places but I'm in the process of getting my 3rd stamp.

[denverdeath]

[smwood]

A big thank you to all of you who've replied here. It's a bit of a gray area regarding the precise documents & requirements for listing three schools on the ARC application ~ which is why I'm so bloody confused in the first place ~ but it's good of you all to take the time & effort to pitch in with your thoughts. Every time I call the local Immigration office (or someone else does on my behalf) I get varying information.

I do appreciate all your input.

I reckon it will be OK. Well, if not, I'll soon find out, eh?



~ smw

[the eye]

yeah, korean beaurocracy at its best!
good to see you have a steep learning curve!