Korean Job Discussion Forums

[girl]

i was just wondering...

if a school wants you there asap, for example today is april 20 and the school wants you there next week how does that work in terms of signing the contract, getting a visa, notorizing your degree etc. etc. etc.? contracts aren't signed blindly are they? how does that work?

i remember the first time around i went through all of this, it took at least 2-3 weeks to get all the paper work straightened out, this included the Fed ex-ing of the contract and paperwork needed for a visa.

any info would be appreciated.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

Well basically, you end up working on a tourist Visa until to go to get your Visa in Japan (which is a nice little holiday on the boss' tab). I like thise method because it puts the game into my ballpark.

If you work your butt off and prove that you are an awesome teacher, by the time it comes to sign the contract, you can get a bit more picky in terms of wage, etc.

[kimcheeking]

You'll be working illegally and risking deportation with out chance of getting a job for, I think but not sure, 1-3 years.

[Tiger Beer]

Its pretty much just standard procedure to do the visa run a few weeks later once the paperwork is processed..

Actually, I am not sure.. but almost immediately they start to process your papers as soon as you arrive.. so if you were to be 'busted'.. I think the school would have the documentation needed so they wouldn't be heavily fined and you wouldn't be deported..

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

[chi-chi]

One of the advantages to working this way is that you can negotiate for them to go ahead and buy your return ticket so immigration will let you into the country.
Not that I condone working illegally or anything. When I worked in Korea I didn't know any better, but I got to keep my return ticket this way.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

Honestly I am a bit "don't do privates" kind of guy. But as for coming on a tourist visa and checking out your school first, I see no problem with it.

If you really do not want to work before you get your E-2 visa, that's all fine and good. Just arrive on a Thursday, check the school out on the Friday, hope to Osaka on Saturday, and Bob's your uncle at that point.

[Lost Seoul]

Be careful with hagwons who try and rush you into taking a job, ask yourself why are they in a rush to sign me up? Are they trying to hide something such as their reputation? Don't get me wrong they may be a good hagwon that just needs a new teacher ASAP but always check out the hagwon and ask questions before signing anything.

[girl]

lost seoul: that's what i was curious about. do they make you sign the contract when you get there or before?

and i was wondering if you hate the conditions at the hagwon and can see that it's a bad place to work, can you steal away into the night and look for another job?

i'm really confused about this because i myself, wouldn't want to go anywhere without signing and researching first. that's just me i suppose.

[Lost Seoul]

Ask them for the EMail addresses of other foreign teachers at the institute and ask them what its like. Find out as much as you can about the institute and do not sign anything or submit any documents unless you are totally convinced that they are sound. You may even want to ask them if it is possible for you to visit the institute before accepting their job offer. If they are genuine they will respect your wishes if not don't sweat it there are plenty of ESL jobs floating around out there.

Even if you do all this there is a chance you may end up at a bad hagwon but if you are in the knowledge you did all you could to screen your potential employers you will not feel so bad whatever happens.

You are a free agent until your E2 visa application has been finalised.

Do NOT let them pressure you take your time.

Good luck