Korean Job Discussion Forums

[n�fara]

Now is this possible?

Going though EPIK for a public school position on Jeju-do. Well, technically through a recruiter first, then EPIK, then a public school. Right now I'm in Canada, waiting for my "appointment package" to arrive. It was supposed to arrive last week but, oops, EPIK was mistaken and they hadn't yet sent it out.
Should be here Monday or Tuesday. It's almost 8 p.m. Tuesday right now.

Things seem a bit last minute, and as the Orientation is supposed to begin August 25th, it was cutting pretty close to the wire to expect that I could get the package (yet to arrive) go to the Korean Consulate (which is closed for a holiday tomorrow) and then wait 5 days for the visa to clear (by then it would be August 23rd most likely).

Now it appears that I don't have to do this. Instead, when I receive the appointment package, I can then book a flight to arrive before the Orientation starts. At the Orientation an EPIK employee will take me to Immigration to get my E2 visa stamped.

...

I've never heard of this before, and supposedly it is a special deal that EPIK has undertaken especially for the teachers destined for Jeju-do.

There are maybe 5 other teachers this applies to as well.

Just wondering... can this be a real deal? It's not like I'm in fear for my life that my recruiter is out to get me - from all my searchings on this site I've only heard positive from multiple sources on this recruiter.

However, I wanted to get an outside opinion before I take the plunge, and perhaps maybe hear from any of the other Jeju-to-bes that are out there.

Thanks so much for any input.

[Steve Schertzer]

Nifara,

The exact same thing happened to me, (and many others, no doubt), when I first applied to EPIK in early 2006. I was at home in Montreal at the time, and what follows is my story which I have linked onto this thread. Please read it and let it serve as a warning to all those in the same position.

Whatever you choose to do, it's your decision. But keep something in mind. These people will NOT work in your best interest. Only you can do that. Hold your ground and start later in the term if you have to. I did. In the end, it will save a lot of pain and heartache.

Good luck. By the way, I'm in EPIK in Busan.

www.ajarn.com/Contris/schertzerapril2006.htm

[n�fara]

Thanks for the response Steve.

Their proposal isn't exactly a confidence-boost to the system, I will admit. I would rather have something more concrete before I go.

[dogshed]

I never got an appointment package. I just got the visa number. I suggest telling them you won't leave until you have a visa and suggest they email you the visa issuance number. Do they do that for Canadians or is that just a US thing?

It is possible for EPIK teachers to get an E-2 visa in Korea without leaving the country. I have seen this with my own eyes, but that doesn't mean they
won't mess it up. Personally I wouldn't leave for Korea without having the
visa in my passport.

[dogshed]

Don't worry about being on time for the orientation.

[rhinocharge64]

Welcome to Korea (lastminute.com). Epik in Jeju is pretty chaotic, I guess this will be the start of a very long list.

[Woden]

[n�fara]

dogshed: Did you have to send your documents to Korea in order for them to issue a visa number? I still have mine here, they only have faxed copies. Would this be an issue?

Of course, it also might be a problem that I don't have the paper contract yet either!

Ah, well. I won't mind if I miss the beginning of Orientation. While I'm sure the opening ceremony will be lovely, and "Korean Tourism & Its Attractions" very informative, these aren't necessary to my sense of well-being.

But supposedly this deal is only available to those Jeju-do teachers that are able to make it to Korea for August 24th.

I can be very efficient and get things done in time (once I get the package), but I just don't want to find myself lost in the shuffled paperwork and left stranded.

Nothing in life is certain, I guess.

[jellobean]

Beware, it is very unlikely a public school will reimburse you for your flight AND a visa run..... Coming over without a visa is a 50/50 thing.... I would make sure you have a signed contract stating they will reimburse both and make them send you the ticket to go to Korea.... Or you could just play hardball and say that you won't come without the visa.... Sounds like they are setting you up to work before the visa run.... But if they already paid for your ticket, then you can just refuse to work illegaly before doing a visa run... If they say they won't hire you, you just got a free flight to Korea and can find a job on the spot....

I would not purchase your own ticket without a signed contract and a visa in your passport....

[cruisemonkey]

The airline won't let you on the plane if you have a one-way ticket and no work visa.

Don't buy a round-trip ticket - it'll expire in a year (before you finish your contract). They'll only reimburse half of it after you arrive, and the other (useless) half when you complete your contract.

Make them wait until you have your E-2.

[n�fara]

Thanks for the advice so far guys.
So far it looks like there are very few people in the same boat as I am.
Which is good. For everyone else

[Woden]

[n�fara]

Hey Woden, glad to have you in the same boat (at least for me )

That is interesting regarding Jeju issuing its own visas. My recruiter has not mentioned it to me at all, I wonder if it is something that has only been instituted very recently, or perhaps they have no idea what is going on (I think the latter is likely, but who knows?)

Alternatively, it might not be true. And that would be unfortunate.


Has anyone currently in Jeju heard of this?

[cruisemonkey]

Woden,

Your link yealds "Page cannot be displayed...". I'd like to know what it says and how a province can issue visas.

Can you copy and paste the information?

Thanks,
CM

[rokscot]

nifra

i am currently teaching in jeju thru epik. i did not deal with a recruiter but directly with Ria Kim, the co-ordinator of the POE for the english teachers. if you're not getting much communication from her it's because she is probably inundated right now. not your problem i know but she will be under quite a bit of pressure at this time.

you will be issued with your visa after you sign your contract when you get here. jeju immi issue this. no visa run required for epik in jeju.

make sure you have all your original documents with you. sounds simple but there are plenty dumb-asses forget something then you might have problems cause you won't get your visa until you can get them sent over here.

as for orientation i have no idea. i have so far managed to avoid this. i just came straight to jeju, signed the contract, got the visa.

"The airline won't let you on the plane if you have a one-way ticket and no work visa."

cruisemonkey, where are you pulling that info from. i don't know if it varies with different countries or airlines but i came here from the UK on a one-way ticket, no visa, no problem.

Jeju doesn't have, and apparently doesn't want, full independence. it does though have special autonomous powers. these were extented last year and cover areas including visa issuance.

for any would-be jejuites check out a yahoo groups forum called rhymeswithjeju. its can be more useful for local jeju info and for the jeju POE/epik than daves.