Korean Job Discussion Forums

gachinio · Joined: 26 Aug 2006 Location: Incheon, S. Korea

Hi folks ... long-time listener, first-time caller Smile

Arrived on the 17th ... came first, then began interviews. Accepted job, submitted paperwork, boss took papers to immigration. They gave him a hassle because I got my B.S. in Greece, at the American college there. It's been accredited in the States for a long time (in fact it was the first college outside the US to get US accreditation -- now there's a couple dozen overseas with accr.), but the immigration official put up a stink. Gave him a receipt & said he get back to us in 3-4 days.

How exactly does the law read, & how much leeway do individual offices have to interpret the law as they see fit?

Advice/insight/help is much appreciated! Thanks!

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

supernick · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

As far as I know, to obtain an E-2 who must have a degree from an English speaking country. They also gave me a hassle because mine is from Scotland, and they weren't too sure if Scotland was an English speaking country. It might not also sound like English but it is. Very Happy

I think you might have to prove that your course of instruction was in English, and that might be fine. Who knows. You might not have any trouble at all.

gachinio · Joined: 26 Aug 2006 Location: Incheon, S. Korea

Just heard over the phone that my E-2 was denied. Going in at 4:00 to discuss the situation w/ the General Manager of the hiring school. Any thoughts/ideas/suggestions greatly appreciated -- Thanks.

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

While it might be possible, it would be an uphill battle with immigration. I also hate to say, I can't see any employer going through the trouble, as it would be a lot easier to find someone else Sad

I think you might have to sort this out yourself with immigration, get it approved, then try again with an employer.

I hope I am wrong, good luck.

gachinio · Joined: 26 Aug 2006 Location: Incheon, S. Korea

I arrived on Aug. 17th on a 30-day tourist visa also ... so I'll need to get something lined up by then, so I don't end up having to fly in/out a second time ...

huffdaddy · Joined: 25 Nov 2005

gachinio · Joined: 26 Aug 2006 Location: Incheon, S. Korea

UPDATE: Spoke with the GM of the school ...

He says immigration in Incheon spoke with Immig. in Seoul, & they said no too. According to them, the wording of the law says the college ITSELF must be in the English speaking country, which to me seems ridiculous. Someone I met here is going to try to verify the actual wording fior me, but the school is disinterested in pursuing it further.

Now I have to determine if it's worth pursuing on my own based on prob. of eventually being successful, how long that might take, & also on what my prospects might be in another country here in Asia, which is something I hadn't previously considered.

Further input greatly appreciated ...

gachinio · Joined: 26 Aug 2006 Location: Incheon, S. Korea

Thanks for the advice on the extension ... that's good to know. Awesome avatar btw Smile

gachinio · Joined: 26 Aug 2006 Location: Incheon, S. Korea

Since I'm not very optomistic about my chances of resolving the problem within a reasonable timeframe or at reasonble expense, let alone both simultaneously, i'm actively considering/researching other options. Taiwan seems best right now ... Sad

Pyongshin Sangja · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: I love baby!

I've never met anyone here without both a degree and a passport from one of the Magic 7 Countries TM.

indigo · Joined: 03 May 2006 Location: Yeoju

I can't believe what's happening to you! That law seems absolutely ridiculous! I taught in Taiwan for four months. Taiwan is awesome. I really enjoyed the atmosphere there. The school on the other hand... I had a very negative experience with it. PM me and I can give you the name of the school and more specifics. I'm sure there are schools there that are good, ours (my boyfriend and I both taught there) was a huge chain bushiban (equivalent to a hogwan), and really impersonal - employee turn over was high. We were in Taipei. The hours really sucked. We had to teach six days a week, and had absolutely no control over our schedules. (They also required a lot of busy work out of us, you know, so we would appear "dedicated.") We didn't know that before we arrived. (We were going through a recruiter and told him what our standards were - we ignorantly assumed they were going to be met...) I don't know if you've taught english internationally before - make sure you ask a lot of questions before accepting a job position. Things I thought were a given... well, they certainly weren't!

dbee · Joined: 29 Dec 2004 Location: korea

No, that's in the books.

The teacher must have a degree from an English speaking university in an English speaking country ...

Unlucky dude. But if you'd checked up, any recruiter could have told you this beforehand and saved you the hassle and expense...

All the best though, in Taiwan

lastat06513 · Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 5:59 am Post subject:

I remember at one of the schools I worked for, there was an American who had a degree from Israel who wanted to work in Korea- denied.

Not only is the person's passport supposed to be from a native English speaking country, but so is the degree, unfortunately.

The only other thing I can think of is to go to the US embassy and try to make an affidavit and get it notarized stating that the degree is indeed from an American university or you can try to send it off to Washington and get it apostlized by an accrediting agency or by the department of education itself.

These are just suggestions that MIGHT work, I can't guarantee they will.
Good luck

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

What about if your BA is from an English-speaking country but your MA is not? Could that create a problem?