Korean Job Discussion Forums

Optimus Prime · Joined: 05 Jul 2007

Who is supposed to go to Immigration? Me or my handler? I am doing an After-School job, and after I get back from Japan they want me to spend a day at Immigration to get my ARC. They are giving me a stack of paperwork, and a list of things to take with me. Now I am 99% sure this is my handler's job, as this is my 4th job in Korea, and I've never been to Immigration once. I am 99% sure my handler just wants me to do her job for her. The only reason I posted this is to find out if there was some recent change in Immi policy. I've already told her, "Sorry, I'm not going to Immigration. That's your job." She responded by telling me the last teacher had to go to Immigration. I again said "no."

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

You go to immigration with all the paperwork provided by your employer.

Optimus Prime · Joined: 05 Jul 2007

Wondering · Joined: 23 May 2007 Location: Seoul

For most places I've worked over the years, someone from the hagwon did it for me. I loved that. I was very eager to hand over my passport and anything they wanted so that I didn't have to go. The place where I am now...I had to go. It wasn't so terrible that I needed therapy afterwards. Really, I lived through it just fine and so will you. As for whose job it is, I'd have to say it's the foreign teachers' job and whenever we don't have to do it, we are just lucky or the Korean management is being really nice or something like that.

Optimus Prime · Joined: 05 Jul 2007

So I think you guys must be pushovers. Korean handler came groveling a bit ago, sheepishly admitting it was her job, apologizing for even asking. Anyway thanks for the "advice."

hubba bubba · Joined: 24 Oct 2006

I'm a pushover cuz I handle my own sheyat? Rolling Eyes

Quick someone get him a tissue.

just another day · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 12:21 am Post subject:

Pak Yu Man · Joined: 02 Jun 2005 Location: The Ida galaxy

Optimus Prime · Joined: 05 Jul 2007

Scouse Mouse · Joined: 07 Jan 2007 Location: Cloud #9

icicle · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Gyeonggi do Korea

I work in a public school ... and I think that everyone I have spoken to has gone to Immigration with one of their CT's ... I went with one of mine ... and paid the small amount to get the passport and visa couriered back to school when it was done ... It took about an hour by car to get where we had to go ... and didn't want to repeat it unncessarily ... It came back to school within a few days ...

Icicle

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

I don't have a handler. I take care of my frequent Immigration business on my own without assistance. If it's someone else's job to do it, they should do it, but it's not all that big a deal!

chinook · Joined: 17 Mar 2004 Location: canada

I did all my own immi stuff for two contracts. But frankly, enough stuff I'd have to deal with for myself is done for me in Korea already. I like being independent, frankly. I don't need my hand held for every errand.

Atavistic · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 4:00 pm Post subject:

Good God, this is so not a big deal. Just go!

I went with a bus driver who spoke no English at my first hogwon. So really it was just me. My second hogwon did it for me. My public school coteacher went with me, then we had a long lunch, then we called the school and said we were still stuck at Immi and went out for coffee and book shopping.

OP--you've been in Korea for four jobs and this pisses you off? Are you a prince or princess in your home country?

jellobean · Joined: 14 Mar 2006

I had to go myself for my first job and have done it almost every time since.... I've actually saved myself at least two trips to Japan (at my own expense - no visa run included in the contract) because I knew more about the process than my employer.... They just wanted to process me a new visa and make me do a visa run... The more you know about immigration and how it works, the more trouble you can save yourself in the long run..... Many employers don't even know about the new visa transfer rules that don't require you to leave Korea.....