Korean Job Discussion Forums

Yesterday · Posted: Wed May 18, 2005 1:34 am Post subject: NEW Immigration LAWS

As of Monday 16th May - Immmigration has a new LAW (Thanks to the recent SBS TV programs and the 3 teachers caught with fake degrees) - and many complaints from the Korean public......

The new law requires ANY teacher wishing to obtain an E2 VISA - that they CANNOT be given a visa unless they have their contract, degree, passport, photos, etc - BUT ALSO the "Official Academic Transcripts " - accompanied with University CONTACT Details (Phone number etc) (to verify) that must STILL BE in the teachers "UNOPENED UNIVERSITY ENVELOPE" that bears the stamps of the teachers university on the front/back of the envelopes - and the envelope is not to have been opened in any way.

Basically - this will cause a great inconvenience/annoyance to many teachers - because ALL E2 visa's - now require this.

Just a warning - start writing to your university now - to get these documents - and DO NOT OPEN the envelope when it arrives......

If you're planning on working at several schools in the near future with an E2 visa - then request many from your University.....

mithridates · Posted: Wed May 18, 2005 2:20 am Post subject:

Good. I hope they next require the documents to be sent in a bullet-proof briefcase accompanied by two men in suits and dark sunglasses all the way over from the university to Korea. Keep the salaries the same and go for one teacher in each public school by 2009.
I hope they meet 30% of their target for the upcoming term in September.

Homer · Guest

All previous sarcasm aside this is a good step for them to take.

It is their right to ensure that they hire people with real diplomas. This may do some good if it makes it harder for people with fake credentials to get work.

mithridates · Posted: Wed May 18, 2005 2:39 am Post subject:

All right then, enough with the sarcasm. This is...a band-aid step to take. I would support a full criminal background check along with this new law regarding transcripts if it were accompanied by more incentives to stay in the country for longer than a year. Turnover is the biggest problem we have here and only people with special reasons to like the country like you and I actually want to stay here for life. Owning your own visa, incentives to learn the language, allowing part-time work in other fields as well are good places to start. There's a lot of untapped potential here that people aren't allowed to use.
I do hope they don't get enough teachers in September though; that was serious.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

chronicpride · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Western solution on a Korean problem. Insatiable demand will blow through any restraints that may inadvertantly curb the supply, which is inconsistent and irregular to begin with. In 3 months, we'll be hearing how the greed and demand of parents, schools, and recruiters have managed to go around this and the blind eye that immigration will be turning to it.

Yesterday · Posted: Wed May 18, 2005 3:31 am Post subject:

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

is there any news source on this anywhere?

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

Seems to me like a reasonable extra hoop to discourage phony degree holders from applying, but I imagine the fake document industry wont be too long in catching up.

Providing sealed transcripts is a standard service from Canadian universities (not elsewhere?) for grad school applications etc. Costs a bit of time & money but its not difficult.

I was asked to show a sealed transcript at the Vancouver consulate for my E2 6 years ago. It seemed prudent to order extras at the time so I've still got 2 or 3 stashed away somewhere here in my messy apartment, for whenever.

I agree too, a criminal record check should also be part of the required document package.

Paji eh Wong · Joined: 03 Jun 2003

shakuhachi · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Location: Sydney

Thats interesting, as my university doesnt, and probably wouldnt, do this. Why dont they verify the degree the same way they are verified all around the world?

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

What is the problem with the transcripts being in the university envelope?
You order one, it's mailed to you at your address...don't open the envelope when you receive it and give it to immigration. What's the big deal? Better yet...take that envelope to the korean embassy and have them make certified copies of it for you to give immigration. Surly immigration will accept certified copies from their own embassy!!!

pegpig · Joined: 10 May 2005

A link to something pretty much official would be nice - not that I don't consider Dave's official. Ok. That is why. It seems there have been a few threads talking about big changes coming soon. But, no links. I'm not on here all that often, so it is possible I missed it.

I can understand them doing a good check ONCE. But, I don't see it being necessary once you're in their system (that's rich I know). To show off your degree and transcripts over and over again seems silly.

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!