Korean Job Discussion Forums

[damn cold]

I just talked to a recruiter who told me that there's been a recent immigration crackdown and almost no schools are bringing teachers over until the teacher mails his documents to Korea and the school finalizes the visa process. She said if the arrival date on the ticket is before the visa application date, immigration will be suspicious.

I really want to get to Korea and see the school before I get the visa for three reasons:

1. I want to go to Korea in two weeks and my transcripts won't be mailed to my parents' house for three weeks.

2. I want to meet my boss and see the school before I let them sponsor me.

3. I want to see some friends in Japan

I said I'd pay for the visa run if they sent me the initial ticket to Korea, and I said I'd let them put the start date of the contract after my visa run and I'd work for free for a couple days before I go, but she said it's still too risky unless I buy my own ticket to Korea and find a job after I arrive, which I don't want to do.

Is this supposed to be a problem?

[damn cold]

Also, I don't want to mail my diploma and documents ahead of me if I can hand carry them to immigration myself.

[crazylemongirl]

First things up. It's the employer who pays for your ticket over, no one is going to pay for you to come over and let you 'try the place out.' If you want to do that then I suggest you pay for you own ticket over here.

If you come to Korea on your own dime, then getting the visa run paid for isn't a big problem.

Also a visa run is just that, a run. You'll probably be in one day out the other to either Osaka or Fukokua. You won't have any time for sightseeing.

[wylies99]

[dbee]

That's hilarious.

Your recruiter is talking out her ass. There is no crackdown. She just wants you to sign the contract and get the visa.

As for seeing your school first. Not likely. I'd advise coming over on your own coin either way though. Transport, staying in hotels, finding your way to visit hogwons, is all going to cost you $$$.

Plus, unless you have experience inspecting hogwons, assessing students and pre-judging the teaching difficulties with certain text-books, it's not going to be of any use to you anyway.

Best thing to do, is to pick something and dive right in, sunshine

Welcome to Korea btw ...

[just because]