Korean Job Discussion Forums

sheba · Joined: 16 May 2005 Location: Here there and everywhere!

I will be renewing my contract with my school, but I am wanting to time my vacation (in between contracts) with my friend who in another country, so we can meet up.

Basically I was wondering what the rules (laws) are for extending my visa for about an extra 4-6 weeks..... How long can I extend my visa for? How many times can my visa be extended? Can I work legally during that time? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Cheers!

ontheway · Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2006 3:28 am Post subject:

If you are staying in the same job with the same employer then you can extend your contract without leaving Korea. You should do this BEFORE your old visa/contract expire. Immigration will make a note of the extension on your ARC (and in their computer). They don't put anything in your passport. You can buy a multiple reentry visa at the same time. Then, you can travel anywhere for your vacation. Your job, contract, visa and ARC will all be in order. Have a nice trip.

sheba · Joined: 16 May 2005 Location: Here there and everywhere!

Thanks for your response.

So will the extension be for a year (with my new contract) or only for 5 weeks? I am only wanting a temporary 5 week extension. I will then take a 4-6 week holiday, where I will also renew my contract and get another year-long visa.

If I have to extend my visa for a year instead of the 5 weeks, my boss wont let me have such a long vacation. Maybe 2 weeks max and that will be my contracted holidays all gone for the rest of the year.

Make sense? Im starting to go cross eyed....

ontheway · Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2006 6:56 am Post subject:

Now I understand your dilemma. Yes, you can extend your contract for 5 weeks. Then your job ends and your E2 expires. When you come back from your long vacation it'll be like a new job. You'll need a new contract, a new visa and a visa run out of Korea again. (As I understand the rules. Best to check with Immigration.) It would be simpler to extend once for a full year with the understanding with your boss (in writing, of course, as part of your extension agreement) that you will be taking this long unpaid vacation during the new contract year. It shouldn't matter to him if you're coming back on the same date either way. And it saves an extra contract, extra trip to immigration and a visa run, maybe. Or you do the visa while you're on vacation.

Try to work it out with your boss to extend and include the vacation. It should be better for both parties. If you let your old visa expire, you'll need all your documents again: sealed transcripts, certified diploma, visa issuance from immigration etc. Do you want to do all that again? Who wants to do a visa run on vacation anyway?

J.B. Clamence · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

They won't let you extend for 5 weeks without being employed during that time, unless your boss is willing to do a phony contract with you that includes that time while agreeing with you that you will not be paid for that time, even though in writing it says you should. I don't know your boss, but I wouldn't count on that. It seems like your only option is, as the previous poster explained, to let your visa run out. In doing that, you will have to arrange a new contract starting 5 weeks after your current contract ends and get your boss to take it to immigration and get you your blue paper before you leave. That way you can take the form to the Korean embassy or consulate in the country you are taking your vacation in and get your new visa there before you come back.

sheba · Joined: 16 May 2005 Location: Here there and everywhere!

Again, thanks for your replies, but Im getting a little confused by your answers.... Ill try to clarify my situation.

I want to extend my visa for 5 weeks and work during that time (and get paid).

After that, I want to take my vacation where my visa will expire and then Ill submit all the paper work again to get another year visa. (Like it were a completely new job). I can sort out most of the paper work before I leave Korea anyway.

ontheway · Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 12:13 am Post subject:

Yes, you can do that. Extend for 5 weeks, working. Go on vacation. Get a new visa while on vacation. But you need to do all the paperwork again. So, why?

You should extend for a year. When you extend your contract you only need to fill out one form and pay a small fee. Then work 5 weeks and go on a long vacation. When you come back you'll be all set to work again and you won't need any visa run, certified diploma, or sealed transcripts. It's all the same to your employer. Just put it into your contract extension.

It's easier and cheaper for both parties to extend first and then have you take a vacation while under contract.

Does your employer provide your housing? Will you have to move out?
What about your insurance? It will expire while you're gone. Your boss will save a lot by having the same teacher. You should talk it over.

sheba · Joined: 16 May 2005 Location: Here there and everywhere!

If I extend my visa for another year before my vacation, then I doubt I will be allowed to take a long vacation, and even if I am, I probably wont be allowed any more vacation for the rest of the year. My parents are planning on visiting in Autumn, so I really need that vacation time.

I have just found someone who is willing to substitute while I am away.... how does this change things? They are not in Korea, so is there any legal way for them to come in temporarily to teach? Maybe a working holiday visa?