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oogley
Joined: 25 Sep 2012
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Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 4:02 pm Post subject: Changing Your Status from a Tourist to an E2 Visa |
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Apologies if this topic has been covered elsewhere.
I seem to remember that if you came to Korea as a tourist, found a job, and needed to change your status to an E2 visa, you only had to leave Korea (say, go to Japan or China) for a short time. However, an acquaintance recently told me that this was no longer the case, that you actually had to go back to your country of origin to get an E2 visa. Can anyone clarify this for me?
If the former is true and you can go to Japan or China to change to an E2 visa, does anyone know how long this process typically takes?
Thanks in advance for the help! |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 7:03 pm Post subject: Re: Changing Your Status from a Tourist to an E2 Visa |
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oogley wrote: |
Apologies if this topic has been covered elsewhere.
I seem to remember that if you came to Korea as a tourist, found a job, and needed to change your status to an E2 visa, you only had to leave Korea (say, go to Japan or China) for a short time. However, an acquaintance recently told me that this was no longer the case, that you actually had to go back to your country of origin to get an E2 visa. Can anyone clarify this for me?
If the former is true and you can go to Japan or China to change to an E2 visa, does anyone know how long this process typically takes?
Thanks in advance for the help! |
If you are in as a tourist
AND
are qualified for an E2 (come from one of the "approved" 7 countries and have a degree from one of those same "7")
AND
have all the relevant documentation for a visa confirmation application with you (certified true copy of your degree with an apostille and national CBC from your home country with an apostille)...
then your employer can apply for a visa confirmation number.
AFTER he gets the the visa confirmation number from immigration and gives it to you then you can do a visa run to Japan, Guam, Thailand, the Philippines or Hong Kong.
The length of time to do a visa run varies from overnight processing in the case of Osaka/Fukuoka to 4 working days in Manila and up to 5 working days in Hong Kong or Tokyo.
You cannot get an E2 in mainland China unless you are legally resident there.
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oogley
Joined: 25 Sep 2012
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Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 11:02 am Post subject: |
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I thought doing a "visa run" was an option at one time but wasn't sure if that was still the case. Thanks for clarifying this, ttompatz. Also the estimated time each run can take is really helpful information. Appreciate it! |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 3:02 pm Post subject: |
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The "visa run" option for 1st time E2 applicants was discontinued for 2 years (2008-2010) and home country consular interviews were often required.
It changed again in Dec. 2010 to again allow "visa runs" for 1st time applicants.
Those with prior E2s have always had the option of a visa run.
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