Anyone have ideas for venue or what we can do for a get-together/party/event on March 13th? I’m thinking around 100 people. Lots of newbies
Want to learn to B-Boy and pop in Korea? English lessons available. Thanks to Jamie K for the heads up on this: http://bit.ly/b4N0s0
Robot English goes live. Scan down to the videos. Hat tip to Brant for tracking this down: http://bit.ly/a3yZeK
A few pics of the ski trip from Christine in Masan. Wow. Lots of snow! Please let me get one more trip this year b4 wakeboard season starts
Anyone have a solid link for watching Canada vs. Russia online? Or anyone want to video Skype it to us here at the office?
So, this is a posting from the Immigration site about some changes to some immigration aspects. The main thing relating to teachers is that it looks like it will be fairly easy to get both single and multiple re-entry visas from the Korean Immigration website.
Also, it may be easier for people on an E2 to get an F2 (permanent resident visa). But it doesn’t give much in the way of details on what the new application procedure is. You can also get an investor visa if you decide to buy some land in Jeju! I am going to check more into the changes as it seems like the government almost wants to get into the recruiting business. Seems like they are trying to set it up so that companies can hire people through their visa site. I find that a bit sketchy, but we’ll see where that goes. Looks like they might give certain people the permission to just nominate people for visas. So, if I were one of these people, I could just say, “John Smith, you are worthy of an E2 visa,” and then it’s done. Not sure if I qualify to be one of these powerful people though! Somehow I don’t think so.
I will try signing up for membership as an individual and then we’ll see if we can try the company side too and report back on the benefits of this new site.
Here is the content of their press release:
MOJ simplifies procedures for visa application, naturalization, and other immigration services.
- MOJ improves immigration systems for entry, exit, sojourn and naturalization to enhance user-friendliness of its services.
○ The Ministry of Justice on February 1, 2010 launches an on-line visa application service(HuNet KOREA) for businesses that invite professional workers(high-tech industry workers, researchers, foreign language instructors) from overseas.
○ It also starts a simplified multiple re-entry permit service to allow foreign spouses and students to travel overseas and return to Korea multiple times within their period of stay.
○ In an effort to provide convenient naturalization service, MOJ decided to increase the number of sites for naturalization interview tests from current one in Gwacheon to 17 including 14 immigration offices and 3 branch offices. It also discloses sample tests for written and verbal exams. Test applicants will be able to enjoy the improved services from February 1, 2010.
○ In addition, foreigners with permanent resident and investor status and other registered professional workers will be able to use the automatic immigration inspection lanes starting from May this year. In the second half of 2010, the Certificate of Entry and Exit becomes available in local governments such as Eup, Myeon, and Dong office
New immigration policies in 2010
◈ On-line visa application system(HuNet Korea) (‘10. 2. 1.)
◈ A simplified re-entry procedure for foreign spouses and students (‘10. 2. 1.)
◈ Point system for approving resident and permanent status (‘10. 2. 1.)
◈ Real estate investor immigration system (‘10. 2. 1.)
◈ Naturalization interviews in immigration offices nationwide (‘10. 2. 1.)
◈ Disclosure of samples of naturalization tests, Strengthened screening (‘10. 2. 1.)
◈ Automatic inspection available to registered foreigners (‘10. 5.)
◈ The Certificate of Entry and Exit available in local government offices(incl. Eup·Myeon·Dong) (‘10. 2nd half)
◈ An authorized third person for H-2 visa holders can apply for sojourn permit (‘10. 3. 1.)
□ On-line visa application system(HuNet Korea)
○ Starting from Feb. 1 2010, Information on professional human resources(high-tech industry workers, researchers, foreign language instructors) is provided on-line(HuNet KOREA), and the application for a visa can be lodged on the web at anytime and anywhere.
○ To use the service, businesses shall sign up for membership on HuNet KOREA’s website at www.visa.go.kr
○ To join HuNet KOREA, submit the following documents on-line.
- Foreigners(individual members) : a copy of passport
- Businesses(company members) : the Certificate of Business Register, the Certificate of Employment and the Power of Attorney.
○ Member businesses can access the database of professional workers recommended by experts and classified according to nationalities and occupation types. Thus businesses can find the needed foreign workers fast and easily.
□ Re-entry of foreign spouses and students becomes easier.
○ From Feb. 1, 2010, the re-entry procedures for foreign spouses and international students residing in Korea will be much simplified.
○ Multiple re-entry permits will be granted for foreigners with spouse and student status if they apply for re-entry permit by visiting immigration offices or through the web. The Multiple re-entry permit allows foreign residents to leave Korea and return to Korea within the period of stay without facing limit in the number of travels. In addition, those with spouse and student visa are exempted from the 50,000 won fee to apply for re-entry permit.
○If a foreigner has access to the Internet, they can apply for the re-entry permit at www.immigration.go.kr and obtain the permit two or three days later. The permit can be printed out from the website.
○ Furthermore, the Korean government is working to revise the Immigration Control Act with an aim to exempt re-entry permit for foreign spouse and students.
□ Point system for resident and permanent resident status
○ The Point system for professional workers who wish to obtain resident or permanent resident status will be implemented beginning from Feb. 1, 2010.
○ Under the Point system, professionals(E1~E5, E7) are graded against their qualifications such as academic background and income. If they meet certain conditions, they can obtain resident(F-2) status and enjoy advantage when they apply for permanent resident(F-5) status.
□ Real estate investor immigration system
○ Beginning on Feb 1, 2010, foreigners who invest a certain amount of money in real estate of designated local areas(Jeju-si) will be approved for long-term residency in Korea.
○ Investors who invest more than $500,000 in a resort condominium in Jeju or the like can obtain resident(F-2) status. They can also acquire permanent resident(F-5) status after residing in Korea over 5 years.
○ This policy will be implemented in Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and be further extended to other local areas.
□ Naturalization interviews in immigration offices nationwide
○ Applicants can attend the interview test for naturalization at local immigration office where he/she lodge the application starting from Feb. 1, 2010.
○ This will significantly reduce inconveniences caused by the long travel distance and waiting time one has to suffer from when the interview has taken place in only one site in Gwacheon.
○ Note that people who passed a written test in 2009 are excluded from the new measure and they will attend the interview test in MOJ’s naturalization test site in Gwacheon.
○ The Ministry of Justice also plans to reduce waiting time for naturalization by limiting the number of opportunities to take interview test to two, starting from this year. Previously, applicants were able to apply for interview tests for unlimited times.
○ Given the large number of marriages falling apart after naturalization, marriage migrants will be subject to interview test for naturalization starting from Feb. 1, 2010.
□ Easier preparation for written and interview test for naturalization
○ Beginning on Feb 1, 2010, the Ministry of Justice releases sample questions for both written and verbal naturalization tests on the homepage of Korea Immigration Service(www.immigration.go.kr) and on the HiKorea website.
○ This is expected to resolve some difficulties suffered by applicants in preparation for naturalization exams.
□ Automatic inspection available to registered foreigners
○ Starting from May 2010, permanent residents, investors, and other registered professional workers can use the automatic immigration inspection lane.
○ To use the service, registered foreigners may visit the registration center on the 3rd floor of Incheon international airport and submit an application form and fingerprints.
□ The Certificate of Entry and Exit available in local government offices(incl. Eup·Myeon·Dong)
○ From the 2nd half of 2010, local government(Eup, Myeon, Dong) offices start issuing the Certificate of Entry and Exit.
○ This will eliminate the inconvenience of visiting immigration office to have the Certificate issued.
□ An authorized third person for H-2 visa holders can apply for sojourn permit
○ Starting from Mar. 1, 2010, Koreans with foreign nationality who hold visiting employment(H-2) status can enjoy diverse ways to file the extension of sojourn period and other administrative petitions.
○ Previously, the holders of H-2 visa had to visit an immigration office in person to file their administrative petitions. Now they can lodge applications on-line or use services such as an administrative office and attorney.
○ If a holders of H-2 visa needs to visit the immigration office, they may make a reservation beforehand at www.hikroea.go.kr.
○ The new measure aimed at providing more convenient services for foreigners and reducing congestion at immigration offices will be implemented in the Seoul, Incheon, and Suwon immigration offices and the Sejongro branch office as a pilot program.
【information】
What is HuNet KOREA?
◦ HuNet KOREA is a global network of human resources that bridges between the best and the brightest in the world and companies in Korea. (www.visa.go.kr)
◦ If you become a member of HuNet KOREA, you can enjoy a new concept of service for global recruitment of excellence.
Aiming for a high of 17 degrees Celsius today. Not too bad for the end of February! Might melt away my hopes for one more board trip.
Want a better position? Make a video will ya… http://www.asknow.ca/roktalk/?p=74
We haven’t gotten to the point of requiring yet, but we’re close! With the increased competitiveness in the market for teaching in Korea, we are looking at ways to make our teachers stand out. One of the biggest suggestions I have for anyone applying is to make a 30-60 second introduction video. Why? School directors are busy people. They only want to interview candidates that they are really sure about. However, many applicants get glossed over when all that the school sees is the resume and photo.
So, if there is a 30-60 second clip available and all the school has to do is click on a link, then you have a window of opportunity to sell yourself directly to the decision-maker. Basically, you become a person. Before that, you are just another name that doesn’t really mean much to them (regardless of what we tell them about you). However, once you are live on video, you have the chance to create an impression in the director’s mind and your likelihood of getting an interview request increases.
Also, you show that you are more dedicated than other applicants because you’ve taken an extra step that they haven’t. Thus, you have set yourself apart from the competition.
So, borrow a camera or an iPhone and just upload something to Youtube and then send it along to us. You can use Windows Movie Maker or iMovie to do minor edits.
So, give it a shot and send us the link and we’ll use it with your application.
Somehow ended up throwing snowballs at Brant’s window last night with Kevin. I think it was a good night! Stacey might not agree this morn.