I was forwarded some questions about E-2 visa regulations that I, too, am curious about. Are teachers who are renewing their visas required to redo their drug and AIDS tests? What about teachers in the same program---such as EPIK or the Jeollanam-do Office of Education---who are staying on for an extra year but changing schools? Or, what about teachers who completed a contract---and submitted all the required paperwork and documents last time---and are trying to sign a new one with an entirely different school? Are you a teacher who has been forced to redo these tests when renewing your contract? By whom? Also, are teachers on E-2 visas now here on two-year contracts? I recall back in January E-2 visas were valid for up to two years.
If you wouldn't mind sharing, please do, or if you would feel comfortable emailing me, you can do so at the address on the right. Thanks.
13 comments:
Well, so far, counting the test I had in South Africa before coming here, one AIDS test every year (and I'm still at the same school under GEPIK) adds up to 3, same for the drugs, oh, and TB!
I suppose they don't know what I get up to on my vacations at home, and since Africa (and South Africa) is a hot-bed of AIDS infection they better check up on me - after all, I could be seducing Korean men left, right and center!
I have a question that might partially answer this: For those of you in the public or private schools, are you required (I think the word "forced" is a bit biased here) to get an annual physical?
If you are, that would likely include an HIV test, and possibly a drug test as well (I'm much less certain of that). And if that is the case, I would imagine that a check for someone continuing to stay in Korea would not be necessary.
Of course, that would necessitate policymakers being "globally" aware of NHIC policy and not just Immigration policy. Sometimes they communicate that effectively and sometimes they don't. But Immigration would probably not want the headache of having to repeat such cumbersome paperwork year after year, especially if it were redundant.
I have taught at public schools for the last three years and have had a mandatory physical each time. I'm not sure what exactly comprises drug and AIDS tests, but each time I've had my blood and urine checked. Conceivably they could use those samples to test for whatever they want.
However, all public school teachers (foreign and Korean) must have these mandatory exams. Last year, though, it was specifically for the visa renewal. I know because I had to specify that, though the test wasn't unusual, from what I remember.
I stayed with the same school and I have an E-2 Visa. I did not have to do the aids test nor the FBI background check, because I did all of that last year.
I was worried at immigration because everything went too easy. After last years insanity of what was a legal background check and what wasn't . It was nice to be in and out in under 1 hour an legal until June 2010.
I am going through the process of renewing my contract with the same public school and they have not approached me about any drug or AIDS testing. My co-teacher talked to the local immigration office and it seems that all they need is a new contract.
I was required to submit a new HIV, TB and drug test results to get my new contract in Daegu. I had to get a physical when I signed my first public school contract, but I haven't been asked since.
I've been told I don't need the test results to extend my visa, but we'll see what happens come August.
I work in a public school. My POE required all NETs who wanted to renew their contracts to take a health test (including HIV/AIDS & TBPE).
No tests = no contract offer.
My POE also 'offered' a health check 4 months into my contract (after I'd gotten my E2), which I presume included HIV/AIDS & TBPE, but I said no and didn't hear anything else about it.
I work at a uni, and in the last 4 years, I have only had one drug/HIV test and that was last year when the Immigration regs went into effect.
I do have a bi-annual physical, but that's a requirement for employment with my uni (foreign and Korean), and does not include a drug/HIV test, just standard stuff like TB, vision, and hearing.
I am renewing with the same uni for a fourth contract, and I need neither a drug test nor an HIV test to renew according to my particular Immigration office (Daejeon). YMMV.
My understanding is that you don't need one to extend your contract in the exact same position, but you do if your position changes at all. I had to get another when I changed branches within the same company, but my friend didn't when she resigned within the same branch.
Am searching for a new job at the moment. As far as every ad on Dave's goes, we still need all the checks. Whether this is essentially legal or not, it is the right of any employer. Just ask anyone in the mining industry.
It sucks. But until this plague of new "recession arrivals" are able to go back home, there's probably not much anyone will be able to do about it.
The official word from the immigration office (call them yourselves 1345):
ONLY ONE AIDS/DRUGS TEST IS REQUIRED.
Teacher Leo - why do you keep getting retested? And did you have to do an AIDS test 3 years ago?? In 2006?? That's before they were required? Who made you do them?
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also . . .
HEALTH CHECKS THAT REQUIRE BLOOD TESTS AND URINE TESTS DO NOT NECESSARILY MEAN YOU ARE BEING TESTED FOR AIDS/DRUGS.
Yes, everyone does health tests that require blood work for National Insurance. No, these do not involve AIDS tests or drug tests.
KOREAN TEACHERS DO HEALTH CHECKS, BUT THEY DON'T DO AIDS/DRUGS TESTS.
Check it out for yourselves. Talk with the doctors. Call up the Ministry of Health and/or the Ministry of Education.
Health checks don't necessarily mean AIDS/DRUGS tests. Even E-2s still around from before the AIDS/DRUGS tests were introduced know this. We have always been health checked, but the AIDS/DRUGS testing is new.
JSK - the AIDS test had to be done in SA as well as a TB test, according to what my agent was told as part of the thing that SA has such high rates in both these diseases.
And since I insist on seeing the results of the tests done every year at visa renewal time, I know they tested for AIDS and TB every time.
Hey, since I also know what my status is I have no problems with it, and its a free physical workup every year so I know what my health is like.
What I object to is the idea that someone will be deported if they do test positive for AIDS/HIV even though this is now a perfectly managable, and unless you have an exchange of blood or other intimate fluids taking place, not a readily communicable disease.
I came before the changes of visa requirements, so when I swapped employers and jobs I had the health check.
Now I am renewing at the same job and heard I don't need health or background checks.
E-2
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