Korean Job Discussion Forums

Alcofrolic · Joined: 15 Mar 2006

me and my other half are interested to Korea in the new year. I have a degree and would be looking to get a job teaching english, however she doesn't have a degree. We were wondering if there any other work available in Korea other than teaching which doesnt depend on having a degree? Any information would be cool, cheers Very Happy

dimnd · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: Western USA

If the answer is no, then one must have a work visa. I do not know if the part-time jobs require a BA...but others on the site can answer that.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

I think your other half is out of luck.

soviet_man · Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Location: Seoul

Some possibilities:

* Get a Working holiday visa (H1) valid only for Canada, Aust, NZ for 6 to 12 months.

* She could lawfully get editing or level-testing work with one of the big hakwon chains (like YBM, Pagoda, BCM, CDI, Oedae, POLY) with an E7 or H1 visa (no degree needed - but they would need a signed contract to sponsor her).

* Get a Student Visa (valid for 2 years). But you cannot legally take on any paid work on this visa.

* She could could get the Religious Work visa, if she had any skills in that or related areas.

* Some non-government organizations here have programs to sponsor volunteers to do NGO humanitarian or welfare work here.

* Some foreign embassies and english newspapers advertise part-time work now and then for locally based staff. Couldn't hurt to submit a resume there.

* She could come here and be a recruiter or do privates all under the table without a visa - at her own risk.

* I know a number of migrant Russian/CIS guys + their families (particularly from around Anyang, Suwon) who have come here to work for the big chaebol conglomorates doing various tasks (some with degrees, some without).

There are opportunities out there. It really just depends on how outgoing she is, how well she can sell her skills and how low she is willing to go.

jmbran11 · Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Location: U.S.

If you are married and you have an E-2 visa, she can get a dependent spouse visa. She can live in your apartment and be attached to your medical insurance. This does NOT allow her to work legally, but she will probably be able to find a hogwon that will hire her and pay her under the table. If she is North American, she can definitely arrange tutoring sessions that would pay sufficiently. It depends on how outgoing and flexible she is. It would mean some legwork in the beginning.

Of course, she would run the constant risk of getting caught, which would run a hefty fine (and, theoretically, deportation - but that's less likely with an F-3).

If you are not married, maybe you should consider teaching in a country that doesn't require absolute proof of degree. Or, you could work, and she could come on a tourist visa and do something else (work on an online degree program, write the great Korean novel, train for a marathon, etc.).