Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Knappstar]

Hey Guys,

So, I made a relatively amicable split with my school today.
They agreed to give me a release letter. However, apparently,
they have never written one before and have no idea what they are doing.
They said "Just write it up in english, sign in, and we'll translate it and stamp it." That doesn't sound legit to me.

Anyway, here is my deal. I have a very sick relaive back home, plus I am not too happy where I am now. It was a good time to take a break. I plan on going home/traveling for a month, and then coming back to Korea.
Would it be possible to keep the visa I have now, do my traveling, come back into the country showing them my visa from this job, then cancel my visa and obtain a new one? (Following me?)

The reason I want to do this is that I'd like to walk around Seoul myself and job hunt, foregoing the recruiter. However, if I don't have a ticket back OUT of the country, they won't let me in on a tourist visa. By waiting to cancel this visa. I can slip back in, do my job hunting, then, when I find a new job, run back to Ulsan (where I am now), get my LOR, go to immi, get my current visa canceled, and go on the visa run for my new job.

Will this work??

Thanx!!!

Andy

[lastat06513]

Well, I think if you do what you plan to do, you run more risks, especially with the situation the way it is today.

First of all, where are you from? the US, Canada?
Why don't you get a C-3 tourist visa? I think alot of people who get caught are mostly on the short-term entry stamp.

I had a C-3 for "a short while" and went back and forth looking for work and they didn't pay me much mind. When I went to the immigration desk, I just wrote on my arrival card "Visiting family" and I was a "project contractor". No problems what so ever.

And I highly doubt the school would let you stay on their E2 since they need to find someone to replace you anyway.
Also, you can't go to the immigration office yourself, you need to go with someone from the school anyway (in most cases, immigration requires a representative from the school to escort you), then they will issue you a 2-week exit order.
What happens if you don't find a job during those 2 weeks?

You need to think about that...

[Knappstar]

Ok,

I'll be a bit more specific.
I already have a plane ticket issued, I'm leaving on Thursday.
My school today was willing to give me a "release letter", but it didn't sound legit. My school already sent the new teacher to go get his e-2 visa in Japan, he is coming back and will be teaching on Tuesday.
So, when I come back to the country,(in early november) can't I just go with someone from my school then?? My visa will remain valid, so I can easily slip back into the country un-noticed. I'll job hunt up in Seoul, find a job, then run down to Ulsan to take care of canceling the current visa, which doesn't technically expire until March.


A

[lastat06513]

Ok...

The reason they are asking you to type it up for them is because they don't want any problems regarding anything misinterpreted on the letter, since you know what you want typed up.
I did that with my last hakwon job because there was no one there with good English skills to write a business letter and they know what I wanted typed up (saves both you and the school time having to type, translate and stamp the LOR).

As for the visa...if both you and the school agreed to having you stay on the E2 until you find another job, then you already answered your own question; as for getting caught- highly unlikely because you will be considered legitimately "employed" until they stop the visa or until it expires, whichever is done first (pay close attention to that part)
The immigration officer at Incheon won't say anything as you pass through except show him your ARC (some might ask you to hand it over to them until you return- be weary).
But I would keep in contact with the previous employer (if you are indeed on good terms) to make sure they don't cancel the visa while you are away (which has been done before....). Once you get back then look for another job as soon as possible and then change your visa status (I know- at least in Seoul- you might be able to change your place of employment without doing a visa run [as long as you do it as soon as possible without a long break in between the last job and the next] as long as you bring a release letter and a contract for the new employer {this info comes from the immigration office in Sejongno in downtown Seoul})

I hope this is more specific for you


The problem with Korea is that there are no set regulations about anything, it is at the discretion of the individual immigration officer- which is why thereis so much confusion.


anyway, have a safe trip, where ever you

[TheUrbanMyth]

[Knappstar]

If my visa is canceled, then I am free to get a new job elsewhere?
Or will I still need to come down and get the release letter?
Will the country let me in on a tourist visa if I don't have a depature set yet?

The school doesn't pay insurance. We are under our owner's insurance.

Andy

[lastat06513]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[quote="lastat06513"]

[lastat06513]

I've always had a C-3 in between jobs and never had to show a return ticket either.
But I have always known that "murphy's law" rules much of the country.
It is better to be safe than sorry, especially with the way things are now.