Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kiwi]

Hello Everyone

Over the last few days I have been reading through many of the topics of discussion on this website.

Surprising me is the number comments alluding to the ability of getting a job teaching English whilst residing inside Korea.

Apparently (as best I can ascertain) to work as an English teacher in Korea we must gain the E1, E2, or E5 visa outside Korea. And that we cannot gain this visa whilst inside the country. Is this correct?

How then do you gain a job whilst inside the country?
(excuse me if this is an obvious question... please have patients with a newbie like me)

[denverdeath]

Some people choose to seek employment in Korea by coming here first...they can't actually work legally until they get all the necessary paperwork done and go to Japan/wherever to get the actual visa in their passport. They choose this route to try to ensure that they are signing on with a more stable place, that their co-workers aren't psychos, and that their housing is adequate. They enter on a tourist visa, find a place to work, get the paperwork, go to Japan, and come back on their E-2/whatever visa, which has to be registered through immigration within 90 days(?).

[Kiwi]

Thank you for your response!


When going to Japan (or some other nearby country) how long would you expect it takes to get the required visa? Is it the sort of task that could be expected to completed within the day, or might it takes several weeks (setting up camp in Japan)? Do you know? Or does this vary greatly?


Thank you again!

[denverdeath]

The last time I did a run, I had to stay overnight because I went to Osaka, not Fukuoka. At one point in time, I think it was possible to do it the same day. However, I think it might take a little longer now as there were some threads a while ago talking about it. See if you can find the info by doing a search or maybe someone else will come along and let you know what's accurate...maybe two days now?

Lots of stuff to wade through but you might find what you're looking for in the travel forum...lots of visa stickies there:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewforum.php?f=2

Forgot to mention that it might take about/at least a week for your workplace here to get the paperwork organized and your visa number issued from a local Korean immigration office, which you will need to submit to the Korean consulate when you're in Japan. Better waiting here than Japan due to the significantly different costs of living.

[runaway]

Hey, fellow Aussie,

As Denverdeath has said, it depends on how you go about it. The best way is to come on a tourist visa and then apply to a few places and go and check out the school, the accommodation and talk to other teachers. Then if you sign the contract, they'll issue with the paper work that you take to Japan. You can get the fast or slow ferry from Busan to Fukuoka or fly to Osaka. You put the paper work in before lunch one day and can normally collect by the next arvo. Then you head back to Korea and Bob's your uncle!

[Kiwi]

Thank you guys!


I really appreciate your advice!