Korean Job Discussion Forums

[fiveeagles]

My wife and I just arrived in south korea, planning on doing a visa run in a couple of days. However our director has asked us to work before the visa run. Supposedly August is a busy month and he is short on workers.

My wife doesn't have a degree or a teaching certificate. I have my degree and certificate. However, I want to do everything legit. He is telling me, that immigration doesn't mind if we teach for a month. What's up with that? That seems to contradict everything I have read on this board.

Thanks

[Qinella]

The director sounds like the type of person who is willing to lie to his employees and risk getting them in trouble to get what he wants. I wouldn't want to work for someone like that if I were you.

You need a work visa to work. Right now, you are just here as a tourist. Find a new job. It should be pretty easy. For your wife, though, it may be difficult because I think you need a degree to get a work visa for teaching, but I'm not sure about that.

[Hyeon Een]

[just because]

[fiveeagles]

Suprisingly, the school has a great reputation. We are here in Jeju and the foreigners we talk to, say good things about the school.

I think the problem is because a few of the teachers have left or quit(?) and he is short on teachers for the amount of students. He wants us to step in and pick up the slack.

Anyway, I found this statement in the immigration law. Doesn't seem to be any wiggle room.

[Son Deureo!]

Khao San Road is a street in Bangkok, and there are many shops there where you can buy fake degrees and transcripts for a few hundred bucks.

I'm with everyone else, don't do it, it's not worth the risk.

[pegpig]

Just because a wjn wants to take shortcuts or wants you to work illegally doesn't make them bad. I know that sounds crazy, but this is Korea. Most hogwans circumvent the laws somewhat. I worked illegally for my 3rd boss for 5 months. I knew it though. They are still the one of the nicest Korean couples I've met.

You only have to wait a couple of days, right. That's no big deal whether you work or not. I'd tell him, no you're not working. It's only a few days until you go on your visa run.

The wife's situation is a different story. She can't work. Period. I guess that period's redundant. That Khao son road idea, or whatever, is buying fake degrees. Just say no.

[Derrek]

I did EXACTLY what your boss said to do. Although I was told "work NOW or get out of OUR apartment."

Immigration raided my school on day #2.

Result:

Fine of 500,000 won for me. They said if the school hadn't had me in an apartment, I'd have been fined more and deported.

School: Fines totalling at least 3 million for having 2 illegal foreigners.

My passport was taken until I paid. I had to leave the country within a short time period. That cost me nearly 550,000 to fly to Japan and back. I was told they might not approve my next job. I was given a probationary 6-month E-2 on that next job (no chance for year-end severence, in that case).

[pegpig]

ok, ok, wait. I don't get it. It's only a few days. Why don't they want to wait. Anywho. They'll get over it. My first boss wanted me there rightaways in June or whatever it was. I arrived in mid July. As my good friend Mick once said, "You can't always get what you want."

[itaewonguy]

you can work.. your wife cant!
you need a university degree to work in Korea as an English teacher!
if your boss hires her anyway then so be it! take the risk I doubt you will get caught! and if you do.. dont worry its not so bad! the boss will be fined! and so will your wife.. she might get kicked out..
but the odds of you getting caught are very very unlikely!

[astroboyfan]

[Derrek]

[Pyongshin Sangja]

You must be one of them dirty Canadians.

[astroboyfan]

[spidey112233]