Korean Job Discussion Forums

[chachee99]

My E2 visa expires on March 2nd and I am about to sign a contract with another school. However, it takes about a week to get the e2 visa number and and I just have 4 days left on my current visa. Technically I am still employed with my previous school until February 28, but my actual last teaching day was February 17th. They have already issued me what I believe is a letter of release as well.
If I submit the documents to immigration will I receive any problems and/or fines if i leave Korea after March 2nd? Does immigration provide a grace period or visa extention for teachers while processing their new visa number?

I am hoping they will give me a visa extension because I don't want to make two runs to Japan.


Any advice will help.

[J.B. Clamence]

If you present immigration with a plane ticket for your visa run, they will give you an extension until that time.

However, I'm a bit confused about your situation. Why do you need a letter of release if your contract is finished? By the way, you should be looking at your ARC expiration date, not your visa expiration date.

[chachee99]

My arc expires March 2nd.

[chachee99]

I need a letter of release because according to my contract I am still employed at the school until February 28.

What if I cancel my visa at immigration and get an exit order? Shouldn't that give me 14 day grace period?

[J.B. Clamence]

As long as your new contract starts after March 2, you don't need a letter of release. Anticipate when you are going to go on your visa run for your new job and buy your plane ticket. Go to immigration immediately with your plane ticket and they will give you an extension until your flight. There is no grace period after your ARC expires, so if you don't do this, you will pay a 100,000 won fine and you may have some problems in the future with immigration.

When does your new job start?

[chachee99]

Ok I'll purchase my plane ticket. It should take about 10 days to process the visa number, right?

[J.B. Clamence]

I don't know how long it takes. It may vary with different immigration offices. The worst case scenario is you may need to stay in Japan a few extra days if your visa number issuance takes longer than you expected. Or you can give yourself plenty of time before you leave and then change your flight out to an earlier date if the number comes in earlier. It all depends on when your new job expects you to start working.

[chachee99]

ok l'll book a ticket for March 15th, my birthday . just to be safe.