Korean Job Discussion Forums

alwynjo · Joined: 18 Jan 2005 Location: Daejeon, South Korea

My supervisor wants to see my original degree. I have been here for 6 months and she is asking for it now.
I didn't bring it with me.
Was I supposed to bring it?
They have a notorized copy from the Korean consulate at home. I thought that because they had that, I could leave my original nice and safe at home.

I guess all this talk of phoney degrees has directors worried...

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

yes I brought it, why not.?

bitter_hag · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: Seoul, South Korea

nrvs · Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Location: standing upright on a curve

Nope! I used the notarized copies.

Despite having one of the copies AND their very own set of sealed transcripts from my university, my hagwon seemed a bit let down when I explained the diploma was back in America. I wasn't going to have it sent over just so they could hold it hostage. The notarized copy was good enough for immigration and it's good enough for some hagwon, too. They got over it quickly enough.

Ekuboko · Joined: 22 Dec 2004 Location: ex-Gyeonggi

BDups · Joined: 23 Aug 2005 Location: Jisan, Daegu

I was told recently that because of all the hooplah and cracking down of illegal teaching, it is not law that to get a visa the school needs your original degree?

Can someone please debunk this myth for me?

BDups · Joined: 23 Aug 2005 Location: Jisan, Daegu

"...it is NOW law..."
Sorry

elg · Joined: 23 Aug 2005

coming to korean next week. went to the korean embassy in taiwan and was told they would not stamp a copy of my diploma as they did not know what was a univerisity back home and what wasnt. advised her that korean immigration would,without hesitation, accept the original if i was to give it to them and thus why wouldnt she stamp a copy as being a true copy of the original diploma i had in my hand.

she advised that i have my embassy stamp it as a copy of the original and then she would stamp it after. advised her that my embassy would be stamping it not because my school is a bonafide univ but because the copy is a bonafide copy of the original that i presented at the same time.

perhaps i am missing something.

YoungLi · Joined: 06 Sep 2005

There is no such law that you MUST give your original degree certificate to your employer. If anyone thinks otherwise I challenge you to provide an unquestionable URL link showing such PROOF.

I remember reading on a esl Korean Law site that you are required to have your original degree in your custody at all times while you are teaching in Korea on an E2visa as immigration has the RIGHT to demand that you show it to their officials at ANY time. Your failure to show your original to them is a violation and grounds for deportation. I have asked several employees of different consulates and they confirmed what I read. You do whatever the heck you want.... I'll do what the LAW tells me to do and take NO chances. If the employer doesn't like that that's tough cookies then.

TECO · Joined: 20 Jan 2003

I had to send my B.A. degree to Japan before they granted my work permit.

The Japanese government inspected it and then the embassy in Vancouver issud my work visa. after the inspection.

When I arrived in Japan, the government returned my degree.

In Taiwan, I had to get my degrees verified by both the home government and taiwanese quasi-embassy. Kind of like a notarization process.

It's better to bring your original if you can.

So, 'Yes!,' you were supposed to bring it - LOL!!