Korean Job Discussion Forums

[BlaisePascal]

After much thought, I've decided to go for studying Korean in Korea. I mailed the application to Sogang yesterday. I hope to take the Level 1 class this summer.

I'm still not clear about visas, despite searching here and elsewhere. (I am a litle slow ) I can study in Korea this summer with a tourist visa, right? I do not intend to be working in addition to studying.

Also, does being a male gyopo between 18 and 35 () make a difference? My parents emigrated to the US and became US citizens before I was born. I was born in the US. I am 99% sure I do not appear in the family register in Korea.

And are toursit visas good for 5 years? If I do well at Sogang, my goal is to return every summer until I finish the program.


TIA,
BP

[RosyYng]

yes i would like someone to answer that too. i have a similar question.

i will be moving to seoul to start school in a university... (havent decided where) but i most likely will stay longer than a tourist.. you know school.. what kind of visa would i need?

[dharma bum]

my knowledge on this is limited, but i know what has been suggested by one language school. this may or may not apply to the op because he/she might be able to get a different visa because of his/her nationality, but for other foreigners, the school recommends starting out the first semester with a c-3 visa, which is a general purpose short-term visa that shouldn't be too hard to get (it allows a stay of 90 days (multiple visits) and is good for 5 years). after the first semester, students can apply for a d-4, which is a regular student visa and can last for quite a while. it requires more documentation though. i was told by one immigration official that it's not okay to study fulltime on a visa waiver tourist visa, but that may or may not be true. in any case, that's what i've heard. i'd be interested in hearing what other people know about this though.

[RosyYng]

ok C-3.. then after first semester, D-4... got it.

But what if within 5 yrs, i marry a korean? i would prob still be studying to finish whatever Im aiming for. But I am already in a relationship with my bf in seoul and most likely would marry within 5 yrs. ^_^..

[dharma bum]

if you get married, you'll most likely be able to get an f-2 and then you should be able to study without having to worry about the c-3s or d-4s (i don't think).

[OiGirl]

Rosy, do you plan to study Korean or something else?

[OiGirl]

So...has anyone ever gotten busted studying on a C-3?

[thebum]

[BlaisePascal]

[dharma bum]

Yes, that's what I was told. The c-3's a multiple-entry visa that expires 5 years after it is issued, so you could most likely get it once and use it for the span of time that you mentioned. This is just what I understand though, and I could be wrong.

Also, I'm curious as to why you wouldn't get an f-4 if you're a gyopo? I'm not sure how difficult they are to get, but f-4s are a lot more flexible and would seem like the better choice to me. Here's a link about that if you're interested: http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=25615. It's a little old, but it has been referred to recently so I'm assuming it's still correct for the most part.

[OiGirl]

A C-3 is good for five years.

[RosyYng]

[thebum]

[OiGirl]