Korean Job Discussion Forums

jcharris · Joined: 05 Dec 2005

Just a quick question here.

My wife and I are currently working in China and looking to work in S. Korea for 6 months sometime around September. Are six month contracts ever available?

Thanks.

fancypants · Joined: 22 May 2005

they are hard to get but not impossible. you will have to sign a one year contract and then get released at the 6 month mark.

the department of immigration do not issue E2s of less than a one year duration.

i have done this twice...always being upfront with my prospective bosses at the negotiating stage but it was a tough sell. to make it more attractive to them you could point out that they won't have to pay you severence (an extra 2 million in their pocket) and that you will do your best to find them a replacement teacher when you leave.

to cover your arse, make sure you put something about being able to quit the job at any time with one month's notice in the contract.

i would also type up a letter stating your REAL end date, that you will be renumerated fairly, yada yada yada and have your boss sign it. this is in case he decides to screw you at 6 months, developing a convenient case of amnesia.

if i were you i would come here first to find a job. the fact that they won't have to pay airfare might also sweeten the deal for them.

good luck

UncleAlex · Joined: 04 Apr 2003

Check Korean Jobs and see for yourself. I believe there is a six month offer
at a university right now, pending a contract renewal of a one year term. And
there are six month contracts available to Korean public school teachers who
are unable to land a permanent position at a school. But with a six month contract
or two six month contracts running in succession, there is no severance pay at
the end of a term. There is a C4 visa that allows one to work in Korea for only
3 months. When I had a six month deal at a university here, I was granted a
C4 visa. But I had to do another visa run to Japan in 90 days so that I could
complete the six month term. There might be some schools switching to the six
month stretch so that the employer has no legal obligation to pay severance
at the end of the contract period(s). Cool

VanIslander · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2006 8:04 pm Post subject:

fancypants · Joined: 22 May 2005

good advice VI! wish i had thought of that when i did my less than 1 year stints!

jcharris · Joined: 05 Dec 2005

Great! Thanks for the help everybody. I really appreciate it. Best of luck to all.