Koreabridge Job Advice Forums

[PhD]

Title: No More Illegal Native English Teacher
- Korean Government will prevent illegal activities by verifying requirements of native English teacher and tighten their non-immigrant status -

○ The Ministry of Justice in South Korea decided to implement strict measure from December 2007 to eradicate illegal activities of native English teachers who are causing social problems such as ineligible lectures, taking drugs and sex crimes.

○ In order to prevent ineligible native English teachers from coming into South Korea, the verification of eligibility of English teachers will be greatly strengthened. For example, when they apply for a visa they will be obliged to submit a certificate of crimal or non-crimal history and medical examination report, and basically they have to apply interview with Korean consul at the Korean consulate in their country.

○ Also, English teachers, who disturb social order during their staying in Korea such as illegal teaching, taking drugs and sex crimes, will be banned from entering South Korea. Also illegal employers will be receive heavier punishment. In the meantime, related authorities will share information about English teachers who breach their orders, and originally block their entering South Korea by inspecting them from the visa application stage with focused management.

□ Strengthening verification of eligibility of English teachers
○ Foreigners who intend to receive a visa (E-2) for English teachers from the South Korean Government should submit a certificate of criminal or non-criminal history issued by the Government of the applicant, and self-physical examination report for taking drugs and infectious diseases. After entering South Korea, they should receive physical examination report from a designated hospital and submit it to Korea Immigration Service.

○-In order to prevent forgery and alteration of application documents such as the certificate of criminal history, the Korean Government will require ‘Apostille’ which verifies whether the official document is really issued in the relevant country by a competent Government authority.

○ Since native speakers who received certificates of issuance of visas at immigration services received E-2 from consulates in China and Japan until now, it has been difficult to verify whether they really have the diploma specified in the document.

However, from now on, the applicants should apply for the visa at Korean consulates located in their home countries. Since the first time applicant shall have to apply for an interview with consul, the investigation for the issuance of visa will be more strict.

○ In order to prevent submission of forged documents such as certificates of diploma at the time of applying for certificate of visa issuance, the Seoul Immigration Office will organize and operate document a identification team to originally block the issuance of visas using forged documents.

□ Supplying native English teachers flexibly

○ The Korean Government will implement measures to utilize English teachers and professional personnel who are staying in South Korea to solve the shortage problems of native English teachers which may occur due to the tightening verification of eligibility of native English teachers.

- Flexibly applying the regulations with regards to activities other than eligibility of stay in South Korea (Article 20) and changes and additions of workplaces specified in the Korean Immigration Law.

□ Strengthen non-immigrant status of English teachers and management on employer

○ In order to prevent illegal English teaching activities and taking drugs and sexual harassment of English teachers, the South Korea Government will continuously and systematically implement joint crackdown on illegal English teaching, and will take action to deport offenders and block the entry of them simultaneously.

○ The punishment on the illegal employers will be heavier and the violators will be reported to the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development to implement administrative sanctions on the illegal academies and block the employment of illegal English teachers.

○ In order to prevent native English teachers who disrupt social order with taking drugs, committing sexual harassment and alcohol intoxication, the black list of problematic English teachers shall be shared between related institutions such as the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, and Korea Academy Association to intensively monitor the information of such English teachers and originally block the entry.

□ Expected Effect for the Improvement Measure on English Teacher System

○ It is expected the uneasiness of citizens incurred from ineligible English teachers will be mitigated by blocking illegal activities of disqualified English teachers who entered South Korea with tourist visas, visas obtained through forgery, and prohibiting entry of former convict and the person taking drugs thanks to this measure on the native English teachers by the Ministry of Justice.

○ The Ministry of Justice will continuously monitor the effects of these measures. If such illegal activities of English teachers are not eradicated, it will consider out stronger punishment measures.
【 Reference 】

□ The Status of Disclosed Illegal Foreign Language Instructor (2001 ~As of August 2007)

Country
Year Total USA Canada Australia New Zealand China Philippine UK South Africa Others
Total 1,481 437 540 118 98 71 13 78 38 88
2001 307 108 102 24 25 3 2 16 1 26
2002 317 94 112 32 21 8 4 9 12 25
2003 180 47 63 14 15 12 2 14 3 10
2004 144 37 52 17 10 9 2 7 5 5
2005 290 72 150 12 14 11 2 13 10 6
2006 143 46 38 14 6 18 9 4 8
2007. Aug. 100 33 23 5 7 10 1 10 3 8
※Others : Japan, France, etc

□ Apostille

○ Apostille treaty is multilateral treaty where issuing countries verify the certification of official documents instead of omitting complicated verification procedure between treaty countries.

○ As the Apostille Treaty is effective on July 14, 2007, the official document with ‘Apostille’ attached can be verified in treaty countries without separate notarial acts. The convenience of handling processes of work for students, immigrants and trading business has been much improved.

- Total 92 countries including USA, UK, France and Japan are joining this Apostille Treaty concluded in 1961

- If citizens who wish to send official letter to foreign countries obtain ‘Apostille’ from the civil affairs office in annexed building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade after receiving official document, such official document will be recognized as official document in the competent country.

This was translated for me by a very competant friend. I checked the English as much as could be done, and here it is. The way it reads, the new regulations will apply to new teachers and those changing jobs. (doing a visa run).

There is a presidential decree and some legislative action behind all this, I have a copy of that and am working on getting it translated. I will post it when it is done.

The information on where this can be found is:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=104279&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=75

TOPIC NAME: Immigration Notice E2 Visas Dec 1st.

Page 6 about 1/3 of the way down the page.

[rothko1973]

There is some drug-taking,sex crimes I'm yet to hear of though,wasn't aware boozing was such a problem.Kind of the pot calling the kettle black.

Hmm...towards the end it says if these "measures" aren't successful,they will have to take "stronger punishment measures"

They're just shooting themselves in the foot,but then,it's hardly as if MOJ is affected by whatever happens.

[SamtheDog]

This is music to my ears. They are instilling a STRONG disincentive to work here if you're not really committed to working here. It seems as though there is a panic currently on the big board about this with people's skeletons with in their closets may keep them from working here.

An interesting point about intoxication though. I think that they are looking at doing this stuff while intoxicated. I know that being drunk is often used as an excuse in this country, but we're going to be held at the western standard. Being drunk isn't a problem, but doing illegal stuff while being drunk won't be brushed aside.

The medical + criminal checks are fine. I actually would like to know if a person who has a contagious disease is working (such as HEP) should not be until they are cured. I get sick sometimes from students who infect me, reducing it more would always be nice.

As for degrees, it seems they are aware that there are plenty of problems & even noted that they can't verify them all officially, so we're going to have to do it ourselves. Fair enough. Fake degree holders are going to be leaving in droves under the excuse of inconvenience & costs. They will just teach here illegally so nothing much will change of that.

I'm not planning on being farmed out, so you'll have alot more options with the dramatic reduction in people coming here & it seems they are well aware of this. I actually got to see the entire list of teachers in my province, names, university with visa type. Only 3 F-5's in the whole province (including myself), zero F-2's & the rest are E-2's. Should be an interesting shock soon.

One thing I'm particularily pleased about is the people MUST go back to their home countries for interviews. It's harsh, it's mean & costly, but it will weed out those who aren't really committed to come work here. The easy days of a phone call, free plane ticket & arrive the next week are over. I truly hope this will reduce the number of anti-foreign tv documentaries, articles & nutcases that we see here which are indirectly pointed at us as well.

You can already see the panic on the big board
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=105429

Seems alot are pissed & concerned about their past. It's trash cleaning time & a majority of them (I suspect) are soon to be on their way out.

The gravy train runs out of steam in 10 days. F-visa holder's rejoice.....you're going to become worth your weight in gold.

Sammy

[rothko1973]

Zero F2s in your province??

If I had to go through a poxy interview I'd just apply for JET,or once certified,NET.

[johnhenry]

Maybe every foreign teacher in Korea should print, sign, and mail this to the Minister of Justice:

[SamtheDog]

You mean people can't plan ahead? Coming across the planet to teach takes somewhat of a commitment & alot of balls (or whatever the equivalent for women).

People should realize this is a big move for a year or 2 and the requirements should make people appreciate not only your position, but also your commitment for those who are here.

I would suspect those here in few years will be viewed very differently than those now or in recent years past.

Sam

[johnhenry]

You really missed the point, Sam. Completely missed the point.

[pusanvirgin]

More B.S. to come. Numbers will drop. This will increase illigal teaching not decrease. I am in wait and see mode and am not worried anyway as I'm an F2. If I wasn't I would probably not suffer all of this B.S...

[johnhenry]

PV is right. No doubt the lawbreakers will remain in country while those of us here legally will say forget it. Then when the Koreans who're doing the bad stuff continue to do it, the government will take it out, yet again, on the foreigners. That will then mean you F-series visa holders will be in the cross hairs.

[Bozo Yoroshiku]

[PhD]

[SamtheDog]

I can sympathize for you boz. I've also been here quite a few years. (You may not know this, but we've actually met in person at Kunsan ).

It's got to start somewhere & my suspicion is they are going to scrap the letter of release. They are going to cover all E-2's since they can't really tell who is who & to be honest, I think that to immigration we're all the enemy anyways, so why should they care what we think?

I believe for renewing your visa, you won't need to head home or get an interview. But for changing workplaces, they are going to ask for it. My suggestion would be to just put in a copy of your criminal history (if it's recent enough), get your documents done & keep a copy (I also noticed that sealed transcripts were not mentioned. Do E-2 people still need those after the verification process?) and grin & bear it.

If you manage to stay, I think you will find alot of people who will be very happy to have you since they will understand the new circumstances & the newly noticable absence of foreigners who are teaching English. There are only 3 F-visa holders in EPIK in my province. I do not expect 80% of the E-2's to return. Hence my need to sit with my co-teacher & principal earlier today to discuss "shielding" me from excessive demands.

I would expect alot of university instructors will not have their visa's renewed (better uni gigs if you choose, but Kunsan was horrific & I personally told off the director when he once said to me "You worker, you do as you told!". ) That guy won't be able to line his pockets at much, I'm actually expecting to get a call from them again from the English department to see if I'm "available" next spring.

Newbs are newbs. Ignore them. I'm more interested in the vets. I don't think this will be a repetitive process every year, but I do think that after it's all done, things will be very much in your favour if you stick it out. English is essential in many upper management positions for promotion. English = money.

Put the Koreans into that mix & you'll understand why they will want you so badly.

Sam

[Bozo Yoroshiku]

[pusanvirgin]

If they are aiming to get rid of illegal teachers they already had the tools but didn't use them. How many of you got sealed transcripts back unopened? Diplomas also were pretty much rubber stamped. Most of the illegals were on tourist visas. All they gotta do is start questioning people who come back again and again for tourists visa. I mean come on. Who comes here for more than a couple of weeks as a tourist???

[new ddb]

[Bozo Yoroshiku]

[SamtheDog]

I know that ddb. That's why I'm happy to anticipate the demise of those schools who can't prepare in advance (which can be often seen as an indicator of bad things to come).

I don't particularily care about how fast most people came. Two weeks is ridiculously short to move across the world. I prepared for nearly 3 months in advance b4 I came. Things were well prepared & my transition was pretty smooth.

This is a big part of the problem with this profession. The "easily replacable" teachers that are tossed aside with little to no repsect from employers is going to change. The price we are going to pay fro that is a major inconvenience, but can pay dividends when you are working here & make it through the process. I don't care how long it takes, but it saves you a year fo grief & fewer replacements with a bad reputation (ie: Wondercrap) may finally go out of business.

I HOPE the number of teachers here actually shrinks to a much lower level and settle there. It would be better for all of us I think.

9 days till the golden age for the F-visa holders

Woot!



Sammy

[dunnec]

I didn't come here on a whim. I was living in China and planned a lot before making the jump here. However, as I didn't want to get a lousy hoggy job, I set up two interviews at Universities, came here on a tourist visa, and did a Fukuoka visa run after getting one of them (been at the same job now for 3 years).

These new rules effectively prevent Universities from holding in-person interviews for anyone but F-ers (who really deserve that term now because I'm so durned jealous). You may get the odd person interested in staying who had already planned to go back to their home countries during the break but, realistically, it's phone interviews only from here on in... and that will really improve the level of teachers you get

[Bozo Yoroshiku]

[SamtheDog]

There we go! Bozo hit it perfectly. Very little new "legal" blood may come here.

That is a very important point. Instead of picking on legal people on E-2's with endless verification, they can start screening people at the airport who are coming to korea for the umpteenth time for a "tourist visa".

That is the lynchpin holding this entire mess from falling apart. They are making it so hard to work here that those who are here I would anticipate to be left alone. Those who are NOT on proper visa's may get the boot, or just refused entry to Korea on their 10th tourist visa in 5 years. It's not hard actually.

Immigration officer : Reason for visit?

Teacher : Tourism

Immigration officer : Our records here show you've been in Korea travelling for 5 years.

Teacher : Yes. I've been on vacation

Immigration officer : Have you been working in Korea at all during this time?

Teacher : No

Immigration officer : Then could you explain to me how you have managed to support yourself, and can you provide proof of your residence while you have been here? I find it hard to believe that you are here as a tourist for 5 years and do not need income to survive.

Teacher : Umm --> >.<

Immigration officer : I cannot accept your entrance into Korea. You must return to your country of origin.

The teacher may protest, but ultimately is ****** and has to leave. Eventually word gets out that immigration is blocking suspicious tourist visa's and the number of young adults as tourists drops.

Problem solved..

[new ddb]

[Bozo Yoroshiku]

[new ddb]

[PhD]

Ok Bosseu, I find a new job! Anyeonghigaseyo.

Waiteu, just kidding. Why you don't want work here?

I want to work here, just not on those terms.

But, student need you.

OK, so you find a way to say no for a while to the students, while the new teacher arrives and I will stay and continue to do my job.
_________________
That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

[Bozo Yoroshiku]