Korean Job Discussion Forums

[atyourcommand]

Okay, I've tried to research pretty thoroughly about this, and have been getting conflicting information. Does anyone know for sure whether or not the face-to-face interview is mandatory for each E2 candidate or is just the ones that are deemed "sketchy"? I've heard both sides. Any information would be great because this is going to be one of the deciding factors about whether I will be seeking employment in Korea.

Thanks!

[kprrok]

Call the consulate closest to you that would be issuing the VISA. They are the ones who will make the decision, not a bunch of whiteys already in Korea who have no idea how the consulate will decide to interpret whatever rules there may or may not be.

KPRROK

[anyangoldboy]

[demaratus]

The Toronto and Vancouver Consulates both claim it is mandatory.

They have told me this over the telephone and it explicitly says so on their websites.

http://can-vancouver.mofat.go.kr/eng/am/can-vancouver/visiting/visacategories/index.jsp#e2

[jblue13]

Chicago didn't even ask me any information other than which "visa type" I was getting....so there it is mandatory...no offer of a webcam or phone interview option either

[jazblanc77]

[Draz]

[atyourcommand]

*laugh* I'm not "trying to hide" anything. I live in a different province from the nearest Koream embassy, almost a 12-hour train ride at the least. Though I like the finanical "package" of teaching in Korea, I would rather teach in a country that has less red-tape to get through. Thanks for the conspiracy-theory addition to the thread though. Quite amusing.

I have called the embassy but have received a few different answers depending on who I got on the phone. There was a bit of a language barrier between the embassy and myself, though, so it might have been a lack of understanding either on my part or the embassy's.

[paquebot]

If you encountered language difficulties it might be worth calling back at a different time (or a couple of different times) to see if you have better luck. I seem to recall someone on facebook mentioning how they were able to set up a webcam interview with their nearest consulate in Canada. That sounds like it's worth asking about!

Best of luck!

[Curious_george]

I just called the Chicago Consulate this afternoon. The face-to-face interview is mandatory. I even mentioned that I was a previous E-2 holder.

I'm friggin' 6.5 hours from Chicago!! Sucks to be me at the moment.

[Ut videam]

[Curious_george]

[mehmeh]

Just got back from Chi-town...

All applicants to the Chicago consulate have to schedule an interview with the consular, regardless of prior experience in Korea. Also, interviews are only offered on Wednesday and Friday and the time slots fill up fast. It takes two business days to process your application so if you go up on Friday, don't expect anything in the mail until Wednesday at the earliest.

I nearly got myself in a bind because this information is nowhere to be found on the website so be warned. The interview only takes 5 min. so if you're coming from far away make a weekend out of it lest you feel like a fool for going so far to do so little.

[tommo123456789]

I got my passport stamped at the beginning of January at the Houston office with no interview.. I did it express mail through the post office. They did call me because I sent in a wrong form. I mailed the correct one back, and 3 days later, I got my stamped passport. So I guess it depends on the Consulate... Or maybe it was because I got the Visa Confirmation # prior to December 15..

[billkorea]

Does anyone know if the Atlanta consulate requires an in-person interview? Also, is it posssible to send the application to a consulate that doesn't require an interview,such as Houston?