Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kojangee]

So here is my problem in a nutshell:

I do not yet have my E-2 visa, and I have a previous E-2 visa which expired in August.

But Immigration is all in a huff that I have been back and forth in and out of Korea so many times.

I mean, so what?

I like it here!

Korea claims to want to be "open" to foreigners. Yet they refuse to give me an E-2 solely because I have entered and came back so many times?

Give me a break!

Korea? You don't want my money and goodwill?

What gives? Has anyone heard of or experienced this?

[Skarp]

Strange and worrying problem.

Exactly how much in and out have you done?


And are there any other factors that might apply to your problem? Bad endings to contracts etc...

Also have you contacted EFL-LAW?

Skarp

[Derrek]

Obviously, they think you have been coming and going, doing privates and then renewing your visa. How many times have you come and gone?

I hate to say it, but I'd come to the same conclusion.

Met an italian guy who is teaching here illegally. He has to leave and come back every 2 months. Met him in the airport. I wonder how many times he'll be able to do that before they won't let him back in?

We all know Korea is weird. Their own selfishness with money (hagwon industry/gov't) only keeps the country down, and behind the rest of the world.

So where does it stand now? Did this happen when you went to apply for an E-2? Did they keep your passport?

[kojangee]

Well I have been in and out a total of four times over a two year period. Had oen E2 but left in August of 2002 after 6 months.

[schwa]

I'd like to offer some solace or advice -- the idea of arbitrary refusal by the immigration guys is unsettling -- but something about your story doesnt add up. How is it your previous E2 'expired' aftter 6 months?

[Holyjoe]

[simon77047]

I had an E2 visa from December 2001 until its expiration December 2002. I completed my contract and left Korea on good terms with references. I came back to Korea in March 2003. I wasn't able to get another E2 visa. No explanation given. I then began doing privates on my 30 day tourist visa. I renewed monthly until I went to Japan to buy a 90 day tourist visa. When I went to pick up my passport, much to my surprise, they had given me a 5 year, multiple entry, C3 visa. Is life great, or what?

[Son Deureo!]

Congratulations! What's a C3 visa, anyway?

[rapier]

Kojangee; thats a bit worrying. I assume you finished your last E2 contract rather than quit, and you're now on a tourist visa?
I've just cancelled my current E2 visa today after only using 6 months of it. (I only had a temporary contract). My new boss is due to send me to osaka for a new E2 in the next 2 weeks. I hope and pray i don't encounter your sort of hitch. I'll be going for my 3rd E2 within the space of only !6 months. If there's any problems, i have a copy of my previous contract to show that i only signed a temporary contract, and to date have never broken or run from a contract.
If it all goes wrong, i'm scr**wed. However I am being sponsored by a new school now rather than entering on a tourist visa, so I have hope...

[kojangee]

[captain kirk]

Inchon has that reputation too. I heard it was because it's a port, so much coming and going and potential illicit goings on with the traffic, that immigration is 'tough'. I applied for an E-2 and they wanted to know what I had been doing in Korea for the four months previous on a tourist visa for a Canadian (Canadians get six months on entry). I told the boss who relayed. Then they wanted a letter by me. I wrote it. Then they wanted me to write it out (not typed) in handwriting. Then they said they were thinking about calling me down to the office for an 'interview'. But I was at a three month Buddhist retreat for three months. They talked to the abbot of the temple. I didn't leave the temple and grounds for three months. I was surprised at how long their nose was, Inchon immigration.
Does Daegu immigration have a similiar reputation? Maybe because it's a provincial capitol, and very red-tapey? I'm planning on applying for an E-2 at Daegu next, so I'm interested. Sorry to hear about the obstruction.

[Walter Mitty]

I'm assuming they're giving you a hard time due to all the Korean stamp and visa in your passport, right?

Simple solution - get a new passport.

Now, if your passport number is flagged, you're stuck. But if it's just a visual inspection by somebody at immigration that should solve the problem pretty easily.

[RedRob]

[simon77047]

OK. A C3 visa is a 60 month, multiple entry visa. A C3 visa holder is not permitted to work for profit. A C3 visa holder is granted entry into Korea for the purposes of promoting cultural exchange, contributing to the Korean society, study, etc., and more information can be found at one of the Korean government web sites. I wish I could be more specific as in providing a link, but I honestly can't remember where I ended up on the web when I had the same question and found myself looking for an answer. But, I did find an answer. I just can't remember where. lol, and of course the Hites I have consummed tonight add to the confusion. I think I began with Google, visa, korean, etc..... and went from there. Good luck, I know it's there somewhere.

[kojangee]