Korean Job Discussion Forums

[TiGrBaLm]

Hi folks,

just a question about E2 Visa's

After reading through all the info on here I've learned that Visas can only be issued outside of the country.

I am considering the Kangwon Public school position and was told by the recuiter (Footprints) that due to the fact that you need to leave for Korea on Nov. 30, and since it is a gov't sponsored program (akin to EPIK), that the Visa will be issued once you are in Korea. No mention of a run either.

Is this legal?

Also, we have been told to buy a ticket with a refundable return portion to it so that we can pass through customs on our tourist Visa.

Thanks

[B-Teacher]

I was told the same thing when I came in June. However, what happened is that I got here and they sent me to Japan a week later to get my E2. You do need to leave the country for a night in order to be issued a visa. Just ask your recruiter about it and make sure the school will pay for the trip (you may have to pay for the vista stamp yourself).

As for the return air ticket, countries don't allow foreigners in without knowing how long they will stay. Since you will be coming here without an E2 Visa, you'll just get a 3 month temporary visa. Thus, you have to show them the return air ticket as proof you will leave before or on the day your temporary visa expires. Don't mention that you will be teaching before you get you E2 - that's illegal.

[Ben Glickman]

While generally you are correct in saying that E-2 visas cannot be issued from within Korea, the Gangwon-do Ministry of Education has a special exception, brokered with the Gangwon-do Immigration Office. I was just in the immigration office in Chuncheon last week as 7 of our teachers, all of whom arrived on tourist visas, received E-2 visas on the spot. This, however, is an anomaly.

[Pak Yu Man]

That's strange. Hopefully in the future it'll all be like this.
what is the reason for leaving the country again? It seems retarded. Do they get a bonus from KAL?