Korean Job Discussion Forums

[just because]

I have a visa question.
OK, here goes. i came here on the 9th. December 2001. So the first year ended on 9th. December 2002. Easy so far, i know. I stayed at the same hagwon for a second year so my visa just carried over a second year so all was sweet. I came back to Korea from Australia on the 28th. December 2002 to start my second year.
My question is this. When is my visa up. On the 9th. December or the 28th. December 2003? I'm a little confused. my boss tells me it will be on the 9th. December 2003. Therefore, i won't have worked there a full-year because of my 3 week holiday to Australia. Does it also mean that i won't get my bonus because I haven't worked a full year. All help would be appreciated, thanks.

[Walter Mitty]

Your visa will expire on the 9th. What does your contract say? If your contract also says the 9th, he's trying to use the vacation time to screw you out of your bonus.

It's a fairly simple matter to get your visa extended to the 28th (or whenever) to cover you for a full 12 months of work. If he balks on doing that, he's definitely trying to screw you over.

[Mankind]

Did you get your first bonus?

If you just carry on with one employer, bonuses become prorated after the first year. So you month 13 pays more than month 12. You might get an 11 month bonus not 12.

HAND

[just because]

Its all sorted today. Apparently it does run out on the 9th. but he said he will pay me a full bonus. i had no problems with getting the bonus last time and I've also left him with the impression that I might come back to teach there(he seems to like me, I like him so it would be a possibility) so i think it will come through no problems. I think i get to paronoid from reading this board. If I didn't know about this I would think everything is a lot sweeter(but I would be a little bit more naive).

[Gord]

Why not take the visa extension and work the full twelve months?

[just because]

he said that the problem with me staying until December 28th is it is a lot harder for him to find teachers so he would rather get one in early December than early january i suppose(plus it is winter hagwon season, need that full supplement). Anyway, he said he'll give me a full bonus so I get to go home for Christmas, so now I don't want to stay longer. Things worked out I suppose. 2 years in a row to go home for Christmas.

[BTM]

For future reference, should people searching the forums get to this thread, your visa expiration date is written in pen on the back of your Foreigner Registration Card (which you must get within 90 days of arrival), and sometimes nowhere else.

[just because]

I don't have anything written on the back of my card.

[Corvid]

Under the picture on the front is the issue date and the visa expiration date. On the back must be after a renewal

[BTM]

You're right - good catch.