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sineface
Joined: 27 Feb 2006
Location: C'est magnifique
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 Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 5:06 am Post subject: visas visas everywhere and not a drop to drink |
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Well I have no idea what to do. Last time I came out, my visa was all ready before I left for Korea so all was fine. This time (different school) they want me over on a tourist visa, then go on a visa run the following weekend. Question 1....where/how do I get the tourist visa and how long does that take?
Question 2.... How on earth would immigration find out that I was there at the school for a week before the visa run? I know that everyone tells you not to do it, but is it really that dangerous? I don't believe the school or director to be dodgy at all (although, I know I know, one never can tell). Is it really the stupidest thing to do or not that big a deal? Is the consulate even open on a weekend or would it make sense for me to go on the monday after I arrive (on the thursay)? Dear lord all of this fuss. Help! |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:37 am Post subject: Re: visas visas everywhere and not a drop to drink |
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| sineface wrote: |
Well I have no idea what to do. Last time I came out, my visa was all ready before I left for Korea so all was fine. This time (different school) they want me over on a tourist visa, then go on a visa run the following weekend. Question 1....where/how do I get the tourist visa and how long does that take?
Question 2.... How on earth would immigration find out that I was there at the school for a week before the visa run? I know that everyone tells you not to do it, but is it really that dangerous? I don't believe the school or director to be dodgy at all (although, I know I know, one never can tell). Is it really the stupidest thing to do or not that big a deal? Is the consulate even open on a weekend or would it make sense for me to go on the monday after I arrive (on the thursay)? Dear lord all of this fuss. Help! |
If you are from a country that is allowed to obtain an E2 as an English teacher you do NOT need a tourist visa to enter Korea. You can enter on a visa waiver stamp. It is good for 30 days if you are American, 180 days if you are Canadian and 90 days for the others.
Americans can pay a fee and get a 90 day C3 tourist visa from any Korean consulate abroad instead of entering on the 30 day stamp.
Visa runs are NOT uncommon BUT they are usually done by people who get hired while they are in Korea. It adds about $750 to the cost of your recruitment. Make sure the hakwon is willing to cover ALL the costs and not just the airfare.
In is ALWAYS in your best interest to get your visa ahead of time. That way you have no worries.
The consulate are NOT open on the weekends and are NOT open on Korean or Japanese national holidays so you will have to miss 2 full days of work to do a visa run.
Last edited by ttompatz on Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:54 am; edited 1 time in total |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:45 am Post subject: |
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| OP- its not unheard of, but it's dangerous for you to be working at the school without a Visa. It's illegal. |
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sineface
Joined: 27 Feb 2006
Location: C'est magnifique
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| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 7:35 am Post subject: Re: visas visas everywhere and not a drop to drink |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
If you are from a country that is allowed to obtain an E2 as an English teacher you do NOT need a tourist visa to enter Korea. You can enter on a visa waiver stamp. It is good for 30 days if you are American, 180 days if you are Canadian and 90 days for the others. |
So, is that just stamped as you pass through immigration? Will they ask me how long I'm staying, and if so, what am I supposed to say? Sorry if this seems stupid but I've only done it once and I was all visa'up up that time. I expect to arrive on a Thursday, visit the school Friday, and she wants me to teach that week but I'm all about saying no until I get my visa, so have suggested I go that following Monday. That would be all above board, right? They can't do anything about it if I refuse to teach till they send me to Japan can they? (I'm British by the way)Eish. Thanks for all the help guys |
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Saxiif
Joined: 15 May 2003
Location: Seongnam
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| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 8:04 am Post subject: |
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| What they're asking is technically illegal but it SHOULDN'T be a problem. Basically the school wants to make sure that you aren't a complete *beep* up before signing you on. If they string you along, just get another job before your tourist visa is up. |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 8:22 am Post subject: |
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If they string you along, just get another job before your tourist visa is up.
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What if they refuse to pay you? You have no rights. Plus, they can't register you for health insurance or pension.
It's bad news to work without a Visa. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:28 am Post subject: Re: visas visas everywhere and not a drop to drink |
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| sineface wrote: |
| ttompatz wrote: |
If you are from a country that is allowed to obtain an E2 as an English teacher you do NOT need a tourist visa to enter Korea. You can enter on a visa waiver stamp. It is good for 30 days if you are American, 180 days if you are Canadian and 90 days for the others. |
So, is that just stamped as you pass through immigration? Will they ask me how long I'm staying, and if so, what am I supposed to say? Sorry if this seems stupid but I've only done it once and I was all visa'up up that time. I expect to arrive on a Thursday, visit the school Friday, and she wants me to teach that week but I'm all about saying no until I get my visa, so have suggested I go that following Monday. That would be all above board, right? They can't do anything about it if I refuse to teach till they send me to Japan can they? (I'm British by the way)Eish. Thanks for all the help guys |
The best way is to just refuse to get on a plane without a visa in your passport.
The reason most places want you on a plane first is they are hard pressed to find anyone and they want to make sure you don't back out or find a better deal and leave them stuck without a teacher before they can process your visa confirmation.
If you stick to your guns it only delays the start date by about 12 days and you are 100% legal and have no worry with immigration.
If you come on an entry stamp, you may get hassled at the airport for not having an exit ticket. It is usually the airlines that are the bother and not immigration.
All immigration will ask is that you put a contact address and phone number on the entry card. |
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