The visa extension process, however, gets more annoying year on year. First off, SMOE required a new medical check reporting form this year without telling anyone. Even though I passed the TBPE drug test, the form I have used at my hospital for the last umpteen years was not accepted as it did not list the drugs I tested negative for individually. So, with two days notice, I had to go back to the hospital--fortunately, my doctor simply transferred the info onto the new form, and I didn't need to pay to get re-tested as many others did.
A few years ago, Immi started requiring E-2 visa applicants to provide a copy of their rental agreement (I guess to prove we're not sleeping in the park or something), and this year we had to have an additional official document from the school verifying that this is indeed the place we live. Last year, we had to bring in a copy of our prior year's tax document to prove we've paid our taxes. NB, in Korea, employers are responsible for paying and reporting income taxes. Even though SMOE did not put it on the list, I made sure to get a copy from my school business office. I also had my passport, ARC (Alien registration Card), 60,000 W, my class timetable, application form, school business license, original of contract, plus copy of contract, etc.
That's ten documents, compared to five just a few years ago. But this wasn't enough! The Immigration Officer at booth #2, 3rd Floor, Seoul Southern Immigration Office, Omokyo, also wanted my income tax papers through July 2019, so I had to call my school and get them to go through even more unnecessary work to pull that up and fax it in. Still, I got it all done and, as I said, am legal for another year.
2) I mentioned in a previous post that the weather has been brutal, with temps in the 90s and humidity in the 90s as well--and 장마 jangma has returned, the monsoon. It's been much worse this year than I remember it being in the past--I am already tired when I wake up. So I finally had to do something about it, and went off to E-Mart and bought one of these:
And it has been a game-changer--I am actually sitting here at the computer NOT covered in a fine sheen of sweat! BEST 99,000 W I've spent in ages!
3) Week Two of The Bean's English camp starts tomorrow and ends Friday. After that, I have two days of desk-warming then off to Cambodia for 10 days of vacation--it'll be hot and humid there, as well, but there will be inducements like cheap beer and ocean waves!
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