Korean Job Discussion Forums

miss mamie · Joined: 08 Jun 2006

I am leaving my current job before my contract runs out. My boss is giving me a letter of release for the end of February and I have a new job lined up for March 1. The new boss says I can go to Immigration with a letter of release and the new contract (signed) and they can just make the changes to my current visa. Is this possible or do I need to do another visa run? Thanks!!!

sock · Joined: 07 Oct 2006

It may be possible ... depends on a number of factors. Are you going from one hogwan to another? From a hogwan to a public school? Changing public schools? This makes a difference.

If you have a letter of release, then you should be able to cancel your current visa without doing a visa run (done in order to come back on a tourist visa).

However, you'll still have to do a visa run to receive your new visa. Sometimes your (former) employer has to go with you to immigration and cancel your current visa in person. If this is the case, then you will be given an exit order and you will have 14 days to leave Korea. If your new employer is organized & efficient, they can apply for your new visa and you will only have to leave the country once, per the exit order, and pick up your new visa at the consolate in Japan or wherever, then come back and start working right away.

If there is a snag or you have to deal with people who are either inefficient or ignorant about the process, you may have to take two visa trips. In general, working at a hogwan is more likely to require a visa trip. Working at a public school or university is less likely to require a visa run.

miss mamie · Joined: 08 Jun 2006

I am changing from a hagwon to a public school. I was trying to be proactive and wrote a letter of release saying that my last day at my current job would be the middle of February that I wanted to give to Immigration this week to notify them in advance.

The public school said I can transfer the visa from the hagwon to their school from within Korea/no visa run. My current job is saying they typically don't hand out letters of release, but that they will go with me to Immigration my last day of work to cancel my visa, which means I would have to do a visa run.

The public school is anxious for me to sign the contract, but I am worried that I will get into trouble with Immigration if they start the visa process before I have been released from this job.

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

I went from hagwon to public school without a visa run. Its definitely doable.

My situation was a bit tidier -- I had just completed my hagwon contract -- but with your current boss agreeable to releasing you you should be able to pull it off. Public schools have sway with immigration.

I think your new public school needs to contact immigration before you visit with your current boss. Even better if a representative of the public school (your new co-teacher?) could be present at that meeting, with your new signed contract in hand. Chances are you could get everything stamped, legitimate, & good to go there on the spot. There'll be a fee of course, maybe 60000?

Best luck.

miss mamie · Joined: 08 Jun 2006

Hey schwa,
Thanks for the post; it helped ease my fears/stress a bit. The folks at my new job and my old job are supposed to be chatting with each other at this moment and hopefully they can work something out that makes life a bit easier. I will make the suggestion of accompanying me to immigration to someone at my new school. Thanks again!

Vissan · Joined: 18 Jan 2007

I have a similar question.

I switched schools 2 months ago. But I've been working under the old visa for the last 2 months. It was cancelled just 2 days ago, which gave me 14 days to get another visa. My new boss is sending me to Japan next week.

But in regards to the last 2 months, have I been working illegally/ under the table? I've been paying taxes and everything. I'm very confused.