Job Discussion Forums

askiptochina · Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 488 Location: Beijing

I have 2 more months on a student visa. I don't need to continue and have found a school. So, I would like to go to Korea and get my work visa there.

Is this possible or do I have to go to Hong Kong? I WANT to go to Korea to do this, so don't try to convince me it is better to go to Hong Kong. Just please tell me if you know for certain that I can or can't do it in Korea.

How long does it take to get this done? One night? It took me 4 days for a student visa, so I suspect work visa may take longer.

Mister Al · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 840 Location: In there

You need all the correct paperwork and the Letter of Invitaion from the employer must state that you are to apply for the Z visa in Seoul (I presume that's where the CE is). If the Letter does not have this then you'll need to go to your home country or HK and the letter for there must state HK as well. Still it might be worthwhile finding out from the CE in Korea first.

askiptochina · Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 488 Location: Beijing

Thanks, I will let them know about this.

I do plan on going to the Chinese Embassy in Korea. A friend has my electric guitar there, and I planned on going there to either visit or in this case both visit and do the visa stuff.

If it doesn't say Hong Kong or Seoul, what do they do?

Mister Al · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 840 Location: In there

Probably refuse you and tell you to apply in your home country.

askiptochina · Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 488 Location: Beijing

Thanks again. I just got conflicting stories from another recruiter who I think is just lying to me.

She wants me to take a university job in September, but my visa expires in June. Her reply was that I should go to Hong Kong (or Seoul as we have discussed) and wait 3 months for the processing.

The other school that I originally posted about says I can get the documents much sooner and be able to teach near the end of May.

How long does this normally take before you can go to the Chinese Consulate? Does it take them a 1 week or more to get the invitation letter and forms ready?

Teatime of Soul · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 905

Your invitation letter does not specify a city, only a country in which you must do the processing.

It is absolutely untrue you need to return home.

The important thing is to get it into the brain of the FAO that your letter of invitation must specify Korea. If he or she forgets, or doesn't check, then you'll get the old "must return home story"