Korean Job Discussion Forums

[depth]

hi all,

if any of the forum experts could please advise about the F2-99 visa for those who have worked at the same company for 5 continuous years....

-are there any other pre-requisites needed to be eligible for the F2-99 visa..or just need to have 5 continuous years of employment?

-how long is it valid for and is it renewable?

-is multi entry possible on F2-99 visa?

-can my filipina wife get a F3 spouse visa based on my F2-99 visa whether i am currently employed or not?

thanks for any answers

[Welshguy]

Got my F2-99 in January.

Below are the current requirements.

1) 5 years on an E2 Visa. You can have had more than 1 employer during this period as long as you haven't left the country on a Visa run. I.e. transfered your E2 Visa to a new employer in Korea by means of a release letter.

2) You need a Korean to sponsor you (Preferably someone in a higher standing. Doctor, dentist, lawyer, manager of company. Normal employee could be used, but you know how status in country works!)

3) You need to write a letter in English and then get it translated into Korean. Topic "What I have done for Korea in the past and what I will do for Korea in the future." Not that difficult. Just butter it up with good facts and waffle. It must be 4 A4 pages long.

4) Any additional certificates or qualifications that you may have. Tesol certificate or Master's would be great.

5) Take a Korean with you for the application. Just in case they throw a curve ball in your direction.

6) Korean language is not a requirement, (see point 5 above.)

7) Immigration cannot make a decision on this Visa. It will get sent to the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) who will decide.

You cannot have left Korea for longer than 3 months during the 5 year period. If you have, the 5 year period will be extended.

Your wife will get an F1 Visa, not an F3.

Valid for between 2 - 3 years. Depends how long your Korean Sponsor gives you.

[ttompatz]

and to add to the above:

Yes, you can leave and return once you get it.
(all registered foreigners (have an ARC) have the ability to travel and return without need of a re-entry permit).

Yes, you wife (and any kids when they come) can have a dependent family visa with re-entry privileges.

The visa is NOT a given and can be declined.

.

[Welshguy]

ttompatz is 100% correct.

Processing time once you have submitted all the paperwork will be between 5 to 6 weeks.

Immigration have no authorization to issue this Visa. The Ministry of Justice will decide whether or not you qualify.

[Wad]

Can someone explain what are the benefits in having an F2-99?

[crossmr]

[depth]

thank you for all the replies and advice. it really is appreciated.

am looking at the F2 to be able to take better advantage of part time job offers (not all part time jobs are willing to hire E2)

can i please ask...

-how easy is it to renew the F2-99 visa? Is it just a matter of going to immi and paying the fee or do i have to go thru all the above hoops to be eligible to renew (ie find a sponser, write the 4 page essay again etc)

-can you renew as many times as u want or is there a max number of times set?

-If you receive an F2-99 visa, is it ok to be unemployed and living in korea during the term of the F2-99 visa? i guess that its not gonna work in my favor though if try to renew the F2-99 again after spending the last F2-99 term unemployed.

*nb-as a foreigner not married to a korean+dont speak korean+and dont earn the required minimum income, im pretty sure i wont be eligible to apply for F5 (after reading this forum)...that's why i would be looking to renew the F2-99 on a continuing basis

thank you for any answers

[Welshguy]

Since I have only had the F2-99 Visa for 3 months, I cannot answer those questions.

I suggest when you apply for the Visa, ask then.

[Zyzyfer]

It's refreshing to see somebody actually got the thing. I still think it's largely a pipe dream, though. That whole "higher standing" sponsor bit sounds intimidating, since the Korean acquaintance of mine with the best standing would be my old boss at a very small media company lol

And the 5 continuous years on the same (and is it E-2 only?) visa is not thrilling to see listed. Never mind that I've been here 9 1/2 years, I changed jobs! Tsk tsk.

Anyway, I imagine when applying for this, if you ask the immigration officer "Is it okay if I be a bum in Korea on this visa?" it'll most likely be met with derision.

[crossmr]

[Zyzyfer]

[journal]

Hey welshguy,

Just wondering...could you let us know who sponsored you, or what their 'title' is?

And, once they give you their 'sponsorship,' are they finished? Do they have anything to do with the visa over the next 3 years?

I appreciate all the info you've given so far.

[Welshguy]

He is a Manager at LG with over 20 years experience.

You could, however, get a Public school teacher, doctor, dentist, lawyer, Manager, CEO, Professor or anyone else in higher standing to sponsor you. Like I said before, your Sponsor should have high credentials.

As long as they remain your Sponsor, they will be responsible for you. (Just as a Korean spouse is responsible for their wife or husband on an F2-1 Visa).

To extend your Visa for another 2-3 years, your Sponsor will have to sign the 신원보증서 document again.

[journal]

Thanks again Welshguy!

[masimito]

Hi!

Regarding the F2-99 visa, I just called 1345 and the operator told me that I won't find any information about it in hikorea.go.kr

He said that I have to go personally to the nearest immigration office to find out if I am eligible for this visa and that (somehow) I need to get a letter of recommendation from the Ministry of Justice. If I am eligible, they will give me all the information needed.

He also said that since I've been living in Korea for 13 years (first as a student and currently with E7 visa with the same employer for 8 years) I could apply for the point system, and will be more easy and less complicated than the F2-99 visa (what do you guys think?)

But I have checked the point system and since my income is not THAT much and my chonsae is lower that the required, I won't be getting enough points for the time being.

Just wanted to share my experience with you guys.

I will go this saturday to Mokdong and find out if I am eligible for this F2-99 visa.