FAQ (ARC, extending visa, severance, etc., etc.) UPDATED August 28, 2014

It's not that the entitlement has changed! That stays the same.

But, because my school now only has 28 days during the summer for vacation and I have two summer camps to do there aren't enought days for me to take my allowance!
I can of course carry these remaining days over to the winter - providing there's enough time then.

A 11 day break is no where near enough time to do what I wanted to do on my hols. Also, the flights are already coming up as 670K for August!

So, before everyone starts calling their coordinators - the allowance hasn't changed for Gunpo at least!

It's going to be a school-by-school decision.  The 3 week camp thing only happened because some people had no camp, bragged to all their friends, who then complained.  It's just a guideline, one that has to be re-examined now that vacation times will be shorter.  If your school is forcing you to break up your vacation time that's their decision and you should talk to them. 

Frankly, I find the whole thing ridiculous.  Koreans keep complaining that they want more qualified teachers here but they keep scaling back the benefits.  Why would qualified teachers choose to make considerably less money (that doesn't even keep up with annual inflation) in Korea while only getting a week here and there for vacation, when a lot of other Asian countries are actually upping their benefit packages?  I like my job, but if my school tells me I can only have a week in the summer I will not be renewing my contract.  Koreans can't even go three days without eating kimchi, but they expect us to live overseas without time to visit our families for years on end.  Ok, that last sentence was harsh but the point remains. 

The right answer is "I can't do camp then, as I will be on holiday."

You have to be forceful (not pushy) and insist on your entitlements. If you don't, you will lose them.

As I said, I will take my 2 week renewal and my 8 days' vacation consecutively in the summer.  This means I am not here to do camp at all. I feel bad about that, but either I'm entitled to the vacation or I'm not. If I'm not, then why is it in the contract?

The problem is Lotteworld is that us that are under the Gunpo contract have to do 1 week camp for our schools and also a 1 week camp for Gunpo province - which is held at an English centre in Boryeong.
If we refuse to do the Gunpo camp we lose half a months pay and are also made to come into school and desk warm for 2 weeks - also losing our holiday entitlement.

I mentioned the fewer days to my coteacher and was told to take 3 days before the camp and the remaining days after camp - not very fair when I intended on getting out of Korea for my vacation!

the only major change that I've noted so far in my contract is this:

current contract: at the school's option, they can add up all my tardy minutes and subtract from vacation.
I'm to work 8 hours, arriving half an hour before first class. (however I am expected on a set schedule).

New Contract: They WILL add up all the tardy minutes and subtract from vacation.
I'm to work a set schedule.

The problem is Lotteworld is that us that are under the Gunpo contract have to do 1 week camp for our schools and also a 1 week camp for Gunpo province - which is held at an English centre in Boryeong.
If we refuse to do the Gunpo camp we lose half a months pay and are also made to come into school and desk warm for 2 weeks - also losing our holiday entitlement.

I mentioned the fewer days to my coteacher and was told to take 3 days before the camp and the remaining days after camp - not very fair when I intended on getting out of Korea for my vacation!

Daejeon has had city-wide camps since winter '09 and the first one was announced last minute, forcing many teachers cancel their tickets.

There's usually not enough time for us to take our entire vacation in the summer (especially if you're renewing and getting the extra 2 weeks) if we have to do these city/province-wide camps. You will NOT lose your vacation days, but just in case, keep track of the numbers of vacation days you have to bank so you don't lose any. If you ever run into any problems, we could always e-mail your coordinator; if you don't know his/her e-mail, then I'd e-mail the main EPIK Coordinator (see the  sticky in the contract thread) for help.

Davey - we have nothing to do with EPIK!

The penalties for not doing the Gunpo camp are set by Gunpo City Hall and are; loss of pay for half a month and forced 2 week desk warming time - thus not having the time to take holidays.

Taking my full summer allowance was never before a problem (2 weeks). This is my 4th year contract. This problem has now come about due to the shortened summer break as the Korean teachers no longer work saturdays.

Davey - we have nothing to do with EPIK!

The penalties for not doing the Gunpo camp are set by Gunpo City Hall and are; loss of pay for half a month and forced 2 week desk warming time - thus not having the time to take holidays.

Taking my full summer allowance was never before a problem (2 weeks). This is my 4th year contract. This problem has now come about due to the shortened summer break as the Korean teachers no longer work saturdays.

Don't you have a coordinator?

At any rate, having to bank vacation days is a common problem for us, but I hope things work out for you nonetheless. I'm sure your contract allows you to forward your vacation days (it's explicitly stated in my contract) --if not, then you may have a problem.

Yes, this wasn't a problem a few years ago, but clearly market conditions have changed (e.g., supply of teachers has increased dramatically).

Yes, I can carry the days over to the winter hols - providing there's also enough time then?!

I had this sweet little trip planned to Sumatra that took in the jungle, volcano and beautiful islands - now I don't have enough time to do the whole trip! So, I'm rather peeved to say the least!!

We have a co-ordinator but I don't think it will make much difference.

Anyway Davey - cheers for the replies!

I applied for my ARC today and they said that it would take four weeks. Is there a way to get a temporary card? I didn't even think to ask until I saw this thread. Do I need to go back to Daegu or is there a way that I can call the immigration office and speak with someone who knows English?

Call the English hotline 1345 and they'll be able to talk to you, but I doubt they can speed anything up. The ARC number is like a social security number so they take it seriously.

I am actually curious about how easy it is to change your address on an ARC because I will be moving, and my address thats going on my ARC will be an old one. Does anyone have experience doing that and how easy or difficult it is? I've heard differing stories on this.

When should we expect to be told when the school holidays are? my school has no clue when their term is ending.

The school will have the whole years schedule done now right up until next March. This will have been arranged in time for the start of the new semester 2nd March.

A few of my friends don't get their years schedule and aren't told about camps until the last minute. The schedule is definitely done tho! Hassle your coteacher for it. I know exactly when all holidays are right up until Feb 2013, it's only fair we are given this at the start of each year!!!

So if I quit after the first 6 months, there is no penalty. How do they count this though. Say my contract is from August 25, if I tell them my last day will be February 26, will that work? Or do they count it from the day that I tell them to quit (i.e the 60 days notice or what have you.)

Already thinking ahead to next year, and will be resigning in August, but want to leave for something else right at the beginning of March. Hoping to avoid having to pay anything back.

Hi there. I have been in SK nearly 2 weeks now and will be collecting my medical tomorrow and then on to immigration. how long should I expect before I get my ARC? I have heard 2 weeks up to 4 weeks? Is there a payment at immigration? Thanks

"Hi there. I have been in SK nearly 2 weeks now and will be collecting my medical tomorrow and then on to immigration. how long should I expect before I get my ARC? I have heard 2 weeks up to 4 weeks? Is there a payment at immigration? Thanks"

2-4 weeks.  There isn't much more precision than that (and something you'll get use to here).  Mine actually only took 2 weeks to get.  Last year the ARC fee was about 30,000 won.  Oh, and it's generally a good idea to keep your passport and some passport photos with you all the time for the first month your here.  My co-teachers just expected me to have these things all the time...and would look at me like I was stupid for not having them.

I have seen something called a bridge visa mentioned on this site but haven't seen any details about it.  the I understood it you acn get a lokoing for work visa but it only lasts for one month.  Is this bridge visa something new that lasts longer?   I was hoping to work a winter camp in the philipines between jobs but didn't want to re-do the visa nonsense.

I've been attempting to apply for a Temporary extension of stay for departure of registered foreigners on the HiKorea Korean National Immigration website and I keep getting this message

"Exceptional cases happened.
Send to e-mail address shown below after copying [Contents in detail].
e-mail : hikorea@hikorea.go.kr
Contents in detail
[LAF_NAV_001] The action-name(CvlapplError_en.pt) is not found."

I run into a similar problem if I try and make an a reservation.
Has any one else run into this problem lately, or have any idea what it means and how it would be best to proceed?
 

I've been attempting to apply for a Temporary extension of stay for departure of registered foreigners on the HiKorea Korean National Immigration website and I keep getting this message

"Exceptional cases happened.
Send to e-mail address shown below after copying [Contents in detail].
e-mail : hikorea@hikorea.go.kr
Contents in detail
[LAF_NAV_001] The action-name(CvlapplError_en.pt) is not found."

I run into a similar problem if I try and make an a reservation.
Has any one else run into this problem lately, or have any idea what it means and how it would be best to proceed?

How to proceed: You should copy this part "[LAF_NAV_001] The action-name(CvlapplError_en.pt) is not found.", paste it into an email message and send it to hikorea@hikorea.go.kr

No need to thank me.

(I was going to add that you could call 1345 and ask for help, but that seemed a little facetious).

Yeah, obviously. I did that, of course, and I didn't receive a reply. Also that phone number is only good for finding out where immigration office locations are btw.

I'm looking for practical information on how to apply for a visa extension online.
I was also hoping to find out wether or not other people were encountering this problem with the hikorea website as well.