In a recent elucidation penned by Annalise Kriel, tailored primarily for South African educators in South Korea, the intricate details surrounding the E2 visa and the Residence Card (formerly known as Alien Registration Card, ARC) expiry were laid bare. While the specifics are tailored for South Africans, the general guidelines are applicable to many foreign nationals.
Residence Card Issuance and Grace Period:
Upon arrival and reporting to Immigration, teachers are issued a Residence Card, typically covering their 12-month contract with an additional 1-month grace period.
Job Transition Window:
Post-contract completion, teachers must secure a new job that commences within this grace period. This period is the gap between the contract’s end and the Residence Card’s expiry.
For instance, if a teacher’s contract ends on the 31st and the Residence Card expires on the 30th of the subsequent month, a 30-day window is available to report to Immigration. Conversely, if the contract concludes on the 26th and the Residence Card expires on the 30th of that month, only a 4-day window is available.
Reporting New Employment:
A change in workplace must be reported to Immigration within 15 days of the new job’s start date and before the Residence Card expires. Failing to do so before the Residence Card expires may result in an immediate order to leave the country and a potential fine.
Travel Restrictions:
It’s imperative to note that traveling out of Korea between the end of one contract and the beginning of another is prohibited, even if the Residence Card hasn’t expired. Violators will need to re-enter Korea with a new E2 visa.
Options for Contract Breaks:
Teachers desiring a break between contracts have three choices:
- Stay in Korea for the few days between contracts. If additional rest days are needed, negotiations with the new school are essential, ensuring it’s within the grace period.
- Apply for a D10 visa (job search visa), valid for 6 months. However, one cannot travel abroad until the D10 is officially issued. The mere application receipt isn’t sufficient.
- Depart Korea and apply for a new E2 visa from abroad, considering visa application processing times.
Comparing D10 and E2 Re-application:
- For both visas, essential documents remain valid for up to 6 months on D10 or 3 months post-departure from Korea after an E2 contract.
- Both visas permit a 90-day stay abroad. However, exceeding this duration invalidates the criminal background check, necessitating a fresh application.
D10 Visa Specifics:
- Application forms and appointments can be obtained from Immigration.
- Processing takes 3-4 weeks, during which travel is prohibited.
- Costs include a 130,000 KRW fee from E2 to D10 and a 130,000 KRW fee from D10 to E2 transition, full National Health Insurance (NHI) payments, and accommodation expenses.
E2 Visa Specifics:
- Direct exit is possible after contract completion.
- Costs encompass a TB test (South Africa), an E2 application fee of R1,080-00 (South Africa), and an Residence Card application fee of 30,000 KRW.
Foreign educators are advised to meticulously plan their transitions, keeping these guidelines in mind, to ensure a seamless experience in South Korea.
