If you work in Korea you must leave the country to get a work visa. This is a waste of time and money... why?

Answer 1

If you already are in possession of a work visa, then you don't have to leave the country.

If you are currently in possession of a tourist visa and you want to switch over to a work visa then you need to leave the country and re-enter with the new visa.

Answer 2

I know of no country that allows application for a work visa within a country. I've been to Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand. All are overly strict in their application of the laws.

Undoubtedly the intent is to prevent people from arriving with more than a short-term visa and working illegally. If you have a short leash, you're easier to catch.

And "kara_nari" is obviously an American teaching illegally in Korea.
1. She makes several day trips to Japan per year.
2. She gets only a 3 month tourist visa. Canadians get 6 months.
(Write me, "kara_nari", if you want to talk about Korea. My email is activated.)

Westerners continue to go back because South Korean immigration looks the other way as long as you stay out of trouble. In 2002 they changed the law from 2 year diploma to a bachelor's degree for teaching English. The government knows full well there's a shortage of teachers and about a third of schools employ illegal workers.

It's tolerated because English-speakers tend to be white and from wealthier countries. Fluent Filipinos are treated like crap, even with a legal residency visa (I know some who are married to Koreans).

Answer 3

I dont work in Korea, but am living here, and I have to leave every 3 months. I dont see it as a waste of time and money.
Think of it as a nice break away.
As much as I love Korea, I love getting away every few months and experiencing some other country.

I heard that most companies will actually pay your expenses while renewing your visa.

The ferry from Busan to Fukuoka is only 120,000 if you have student ID (return), not such a big price, and Fukuoka is a great place to go for a couple of days.

Im in agreeance with the other person that most countries expect you to go out of the country to get your visa.

Dont see it as a hindrance, go travel, and enjoy. Even if only for a day or two.

↓ MC Hummer. I am not American. I am not WORKING in Korea either. Is there something wrong with a non Korean actually liking Korea and wanting to be here, without feeling the need to teach english?????

Answer 4

well it all depends actually on the visa u took to enter korea.
changing the visa is the problem.
if you enter with no visa , u need to go out to get either student or a working one.
if u enter with a tourist one , no pb changing it in korea.
i guess its some kind of korean immigration rule to keep korea away from illegaly over staying people

Answer 5

Where I live in Europe, it's also illegal to get a first-time work permit while in the country. You have to be hired first, provide all the supporting evidence with your application for a work permit, and hope you get approved. Why should anyone think they have the right to show up in another country and expect work and benefits? It's not fair to the taxpaying citizens already there.