Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cdninkorea]

I've been told that I can't go to Korea from Canada on a one way ticket unless I have a work visa. Does anyone know if this is true?

What about if I, as a Canadian, fly out of the US without a visa? Is that okay, or is the restriction on the Korean side?

If anyone knows about this, please provide your source so I can check it out for myself.

Thanks in advance.

[Satin]

Americans have 30 days without a visa. However, we have to show proof (ticket), that we are going to another destination by the last of the 30 days.
Check with your Consulate to see what the rules are for Canadians.

[kalkamagi]

it's the same for canadians and americans, even in the states. you can't enter korea on a tourist visa without an onward ticket. they just are very lax about checking in the states- i've flown out of sfo many times and no one has ever asked.

you might, as a canadian, even be more scrutinized.

its the same rule with (all? most? some in particular?) nationalities entering korea from all countries.

i don't have any official sites, but i do know one english guy (personally) who wasn't alowed to fly from the states to korea because he didn't have an onward ticket. he wound up having to spend an extra $1000 to exchange/repurchase tickets.

just get a refundable one-way ticket to china.

[RACETRAITOR]

Canadians get six months on a tourist visa in Korea. Before I was married I lived that way for a year. I had a refundable return ticket so I always had a way out. But actually they never checked. The only person who ever called me on not having a return ticket was an employee of Japan Airlines.

[aldershot]

flying back to korea from a south american trip via vancouver, i couldn't re-enter korea with my one-way ticket (that i'd purchased months and months ago). had to buy a ticket outta korea, set me back 1400$ for a refundable ticket (which was refunded). pain in the ass. get a refundable ticket outta korea like another poster said.

[RACETRAITOR]

[ttompatz]

[ella]

I'm American and I came to Seoul on a one-way ticket from LAX. They stamped my passport with a tourist visa for 30 days. A few days ago I renewed my tourist visa in Seoul for an additional 60 days. No questions and no problems anywhere along the line. When I travel, deal with immigration, change money, or do anything like that, I dress like a business executive, carry a briefcase, and make sure I have all my documents on hand and in order. You don't have to cop an attitude, just be calm, polite and patient. Stand and sit up straight. Throw in a few bows and "kamsa hamnidas." It can make all the difference.

[KumaraKitty]

Our friends were teaching here together last year. He extended his contract 3 months, she didn't. At the end of yheir year together, they took a trip to Australia for a week. When they returned to Korea, immigration would not let her into the country with him because she did not have a Visa. They made them buy a ticket online before they let her back in. They were both Canadian, and once she had a ticket, they gave her the 6 mth tourist Visa. She did get a refund on the ticket, but there was a $50 charge for the refund. It was just a big pain for the both of them, especially because she HAD a flight out a week later to Canada, but had left the ticket home in Korea rather than take it on their Australian trip!
I just flew home with my Husband on a one way ticket. The Immigration officer was very reluctant to allow me in without a ticket. Only my husband speaking to him and showing our wedding rings convinced him that I WAS married and would be getting my new visa soon! I did have my ticket to Bali for our honeymoon, just in case, but luckily it didn't come to that.
I would be extra careful, maybe book a cheap e-ticket before you travel and just get a refund when you get here safely. Read the fine print carefully first to check for cancellation charges, etc.

[dogshed]

On other post people have suggested that you buy a refundable ticket if they ask and then refunded it later.

Someone said they got away with saying the are going to buy a ferry ticket.

Some people on other posts say they buy a ferry ticket.

I say get a job and a visa before you leave. You'll have enough stuff to mess with once you get here. I choose an Epik job because I knew I would get a paycheck.

[okokok]

It's the airline that won't let you board if you don't have an onward ticket. Sometimes they ask (because the requirement pops up on the computer screen) and other times they are too busy or whatever. Some places (like Calgary) you don't even check in with a person anymore, you just self check-in with a computer, so if you're flying out of some place like this, there is no problem.
So, I guess I'd say don't buy one unless someone makes you before you get on your flight.

[Atassi]