Korean Job Discussion Forums

blah · Joined: 08 May 2003 Location: Ulsan, Korea

I just read on another website that I need to have my diploma verified before I can legally work in Korea. It states that it must be verified by the Korean embassy in the city where the degree was earned. Not where I presently live.

Here's the problem. Right now I live in the Philippines. Does this mean I have to send my degree back to Vancouver, where I earned it, before I can go to Korea?

Is this really true? Some one tell me this is not true.

And transcripts too???!!! UGGGHHH!!! All I needed in Taiwan was my degree.

Canuck · Joined: 05 Apr 2003

I dont know. All I know is that I gave my hagwon my diploma, they took it to the Immigration people, I got my E2, and I got my diploma back undameged and without hassles. I didnt need any transcripts either. This could be due to many many reasons. One is that no real procedure exists for getting visas that Im aware of. Each office willdo things differently. Or,itmay be due to the fact that I have alreadey worked a prior contract in Korea before and they see that and think "hes ok, hes been checked already". It could be dumb luck. It could be anything really. Hell, I got my F2-1 and I needed to bring things other people who got the same visa didnt.

Howard Roark · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Location: Canada

it may be true for copies of degrees, but not for the original. i've never had to do it and i've never heard of anyone doing it. don't worry about it. just come here and bring your degree with you, give it to your boss, they'll do the rest.

Emma Clare · Joined: 24 May 2003 Location: Anseong, sung, song.

You only need to get a copy of your degree notarised (verified) at the Korean embassy of the country you're residing at (In your case, the Philipines) Just so that someone 'official' can prove it's real. If you have the original then that is fine as it is and doesn't need anything doing to it. Especially not if you have your full University transcripts!

blah · Joined: 08 May 2003 Location: Ulsan, Korea

Well, that's a load off my shoulders. Thanks for the helpful replies.

But what about the people who apply from abroad -- not those who come first on a visitors visa? Do they have to send their original degree ahead to Korea?

Rebel Rob · Joined: 18 May 2003 Location: Incheon

I live in Vancouver but I got my degree from a University in Ontario. I was told I had to send my Degree to the Toronto consulate to have it verified. I called back to the Vsncouver consulate and was then told by a different person I could bring my degree into the Vancouver Consulate. I arrived at the Vancouver consulate only to be told my degree had to go to Toronto. I stood my ground and told them I was told my Degree could be verified in Vancouver. They finally agreed to verify it because I had the name of the employee I spoke to. It all seemd quite dodgy to me but now thta I've been here in Korea for almost 9 months it does not suprise me.

Emma Clare · Joined: 24 May 2003 Location: Anseong, sung, song.

YES is the answer to that!! Once you have signed your contract you need to send it back to your school/recruiter and also send your ORIGINAL degree (or notarised copy!) by DHL or FEDex to your school, along with other various bits and pieces (such as passport copies, photos etc etc) Sometimes you send it to your recruiter first (if you have one) when you join up with them and they can then send it on to your employer in SK. Of course, you only have one degree certificate, so if you do send it to your recruiter, then you're tied to them!