Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Juregen]

Dear all,

This is my first post, but i have been lurking a while.

My situation is as following.

I come from Belgium and have a Masters In Applied Economics, i am married to a Korean who did her Bacherlor/Masters in Canada, and her PhD in Belgium.

We decided to come to Korea becaue there is no chance for her to have an academic career in Belgium.

I have been applying for various jobs, whom are under my skill level, but still i needed an 'entry' job. Problem is that my Korean is not good enough just yet, i am on an intensive course, but i just don't seem to be learning very fast.

I live in one of the satelitte villages of Seoul, and there are no real hogwans, nevertheless some Koreans are interested in me teaching some basics as a private teacher.

I have a F2 Visa.

What do i have to do to be able to teach english as a Private Tutor?
What documents do i need to get/fill in?

Any advice?

Any experiene shared is welcome, i just prefer not to be doing anything 'illegal', evn though the koreans themselves don't really care.

[Juregen]

i was hoping for some hints/hindsights

i prefer doing stuff legally

any comments on the F2 Visa?

[Hater Depot]

Someone else might be able to answer better but my understanding is that with an F visa you are pretty much untouchable even if you don't file the appropriate documents, which many Korean tutors don't since it's such a pain. My advice -- go ahead, teach privates.

[Col.Brandon]

Yes, you'll be OK. Do whatever you want.

You could register yourself with the local education department as a private tutor, and register yourself with the tax department. I beleive you can then tutor legally in your own home. There are some requirements as to the size of your apartment. I'm sure your wife could investigate and arrange it all for you over here.

Having said that, the chances of being busted as an un-registered F2 holder are pretty slim. And even if you do get snapped, they can't do anything to you except fine you (about a million won?).

[Juregen]

ow

my wife is also constantly saying 'don't worry everything is oke'

she has family in the Hagwon business


It is just i prefer not to be deported

now to get my niche working

[saw6436]

Go for it. I am also on a F-2 visa. I've been doing private teaching for around three years now. I talked to the Daejeon immigration office on 2 separate occassions and both times I was told that they did not care what I was doing.

As for the tax office. I've been flying under their radar for the last 8 years and no consequences so far. They may nail me tomorrow but I'm not really losing sleep over it.

I have looked into setting up my own (legal) private tutoring "school" . The local Education Office was most un-helpful. I want to do just a small school (reception area, small office, small classroom and a bathroom). E.O. advised I must have 5 classrooms and at least 50pyung total school size. Anyother way my business would not be eledgible for a business lisense. Still, I'm looking for various ways around the system.

Go the private route. Money is good and being self-employed is real nice.

[Cheonmunka]

Saw,
My wife discussed the Study room issue with Ed. Dept a while back. You just have to speak to the head honchos at Min of Ed in Seoul Head office, not the provincial workers. Head office will set them on the right path.

At present do you completely do privates, or a mixture?

[Cheonmunka]

Juregen it's not an immigration matter as you can do any job you like and leave or start at any time.
It is a tax matter only.

[DHC]

Bear in mind that if you are caught tutoring illegallly that it may return to haunt you later if you apply for an F-5 visa. Since you qualify to teach and tutor , why not make sure it is legal , especially if you may apply for the F-5 one day?

[Nok Yong]

Col.Brandon wrote:

[saw6436]

Cheon:
I teach 5 classes a day at a Hagwon and another 5 classes (Mon-Thu) at a Medical Company, Private lessons and remarkably enough City Hall. The Hagwon is a steady gig. Privates tend to come and go but in 3 years I have never had fewer privates than I wanted. Typically I DO NOT teach kids or Uni Students in my privates. I am focusing on Salesmen, Doctors, and other professionals.

My Hagwon salary is bread and butter and the others are pure cream. God, I love my bank account!

[Nok Yong]

saw6436 wrote:

[Cheonmunka]

Hi Nok Yong,

Could you please let me know the source for the maximum fee charge per student.

[Nok Yong]

Cheonmunka wrote:

[JZer]

Juregen, why don't you look into starting your own hogwon. Since there are no real hogwons in the area, you could make a killing. Then you will never have to worry about looking for a job.