Korean Job Discussion Forums

[gatorchick82]

I've accepted a job and sent my documents for the visa to my employer. I have confirmed my documents have been received. I e-mailed my employer to ask (for the 2nd time) when I should arrive in Korea. I got a reply that my visa number would be ready in 10 days. Does this mean come whenever I get my visa from the consulate or what? Should I e-mail them again for an exact date for arrival? I need to make my own airline reservations and want to do so soon. I'm a newbie, so any advice would be appreciated.

[SeoulShakin]

Ok - they are still waiting for your visa ISSUANCE number, which means immigration is still processing your application for the visa. This will take a bit of time, so BE PATIENT. When they get that number, one of two things will happen:

1) They will send you the number, and you send all your stuff to the nearest Korean consulate to your home, and they will give you the ACTUAL visa before you enter the country.

or

2) You will come to Korea, and take this visa number along with all your stuff on a visa run (likely to Japan), and you will get your ACTUAL visa there.

It is illegal to work before you get your visa. So, if option two is what they are doing, I would be cautious about teaching before you do a visa run.

Hope this helped. Be patient. It can take the 10 days they said, but 10 days isn't much in retrospect. Good luck with everything.