Korean Job Discussion Forums

[elemgarak]

On 9th Nov �06 I returned from Osaka, Japan on an economical Visa run. Before leaving I�d found a wealth of information on line regarding the run, but none of it seems to reflect just how easy it really is (plus some of it is getting quite old now). So the following is an account of my recommendations from start to finish.

Make sure you have the following:
1. Visa Confirmation Number,
2. Passport Photo,
3. Name and Address of Employer,
4. At least 150,000W (15,000Y) for expenses
E.G. Visa cost/Accommodation/Transport/Food etc

(You MUST exchange Won for Yen BEFORE YOU LEAVE)

To The Airport:

Getting to Incheon International Airport from Incheon or Seoul is easy by bus. The Airport Limousine buses regularly run along many of the main roads. Look around for blue bus stops with a picture of a plane at the top. They are labelled in English for the airport anyway.

From southern Incheon it cost me 6,500W and took just over an hour. From Seoul it is apparently up to 9,000W and can take up to two hours depending on traffic.

Incheon is an efficient airport. Check in procedure is quick, simple and self-explanatory. The flight lasts around 1 hour and 40 minutes.

At Kansai Airport:

Japanese immigration can take a long time � for me, over 45mins. Then proceed from there through the customs security check and into the arrival section.

Once through the arrival doors, walk ahead and the information desk and turn left just after it to go up the escalator (for the train into Osaka).

Turn right at the top and walk across the overpass towards the train ticket area. Go to the booth (on your left) and ask for a ticket to Namba station. The �Rapid� Express costs 1400Y taking 30 minutes, and the regular service costs 890Y and takes around 45mins.

With your ticket, walk through the passenger gates behind you and down the stairs to the train platforms below. (The blue line to Namba).

[There is NO great rush to get there on time. The consulate will accept applications after lunch (11:30 � 1:30). Don�t waste time, but a morning arrival gives you plenty of time]

In Namba Station:

Namba is really not THAT complicated. Follow the crowds off the train through the passanger gates (have ticket ready).

Follow the yellow signs (directly ahead) for �Midusuji and ShinsaibashiSuji� and the North Exit. This will take you past some shops, down an escalator or two, and out onto the street. Simple.

To The Embassy:

Once outside you can see the massive �ToHo� cinema in front of you, with a main road down its left side (heading away from the station) � this is Midusuji. This goes all the way to the embassy.

Walk to that road and proceed down the left-hand side. You will pass the Shin-Kabuki Theatre (a big, old building) and a Subway (sandwich shop), before walking under a large bridge.

Continue onwards past subway exit 25, and a McDonalds, and then over the river (you will see a large yellow fairground wheel on your right).

Continue for just 100 metres more and the Korean Consulate is on your left, with a large Korean flag outside and two sullen looking security guards. Easy wasn�t it?

Inside the Embassy:

Go up the steep, post-modern looking staircase, and once inside head for the read of the office. At the window at the far end there is a tray full of Visa forms. Fill one in!

Take a window service number from the machine (small & grey) set against the corner of the counters, near the entrance.

When your number comes up, see the staff at the window and give your Visa number, completed form, photo, and passport.

You will be told to go to another machine (white) opposite the entrance for a Visa ticket (you pay your 6,000Y into here for your Visa) � press the appropriate number (you will be told).

Return to the window for your �Visa Receipt� and you shall be told to return the next day (preferably in the morning when it is less busy).

The next day, take a number as before and at the same window give them your receipt. You shall have your approved visa and passport back within minutes.

[The Visa is activated on re-arrival into Korea, but must be approved at the Immigration Office in Seoul within 90 days. Speak to your director about this]

Accommodation:

If you were like me and on a budget, you will want the cheapest place to stay in Osaka. That is The Capsule Inn, on Asahi Plaza. Look it up yourselves, but you get what the name implies. A capsule containing a bed, light and TV for 2,700Y per night. Check out is at 10am and 500Y every hour is charged after that. Breakfast of salad, egg, toast and coffee is 400Y (but be quick and early).

From the embassy, turn left as you come out and walk 150 metres � up to Tomorrow Land department store on your left. Turn left here.

Follow this street of bohemian style clothes, jewellery and music stores for about 100m and you will reach the plaza. It has vending machines outside & a fountain.

Take your first left here.

20 metres on the right is The Capsule Inn (yellow sign). It sits beneath a large irregularly shaped tower block and opposite �King Kong� record store.

I hope this is some help to at least a handful of people out there. If you have any questions let me know. On the other side of Midusuji is Shinsaibashi Suji � this is a THE place to shop and is one long, sheltered row of shops.

For a good night out, check out Murphy�s Bar on the other side of ShinsaibashiSuji. Mine�s a Bulmers!

[u05emk2]

Hi. I'm doing the visa run to Osaka leaving on Saturday 9th December and returning Tuesday 12th (Got a couple of extra days so might as well use them). If anyone else is heading over that weekend then feel free to give me a shout if you fancy a visa run companion. Cheers.

[u05emk2]

Its Fukuoka now, same dates, changed at the last minute.

[Ed Provencher]

Hi all, I'm heading to Osaka on Monday December 18. PM me if you want to hook up in the evening.

[dimnd]

Hi ..anyone going on a visa run at this time?

[princess]

I'm going tomorrow Dec.27th and coming back on the 28th. Anyone want to meet up??? My boss paid for my flight and hotel, but the hotel is like 30 minutes from the consulate. I wish he'd just given me cash. I will be reimbursed for transportation costs but not food. Has anyone heard of Hotel Dai-Ichi by Osaka station??? I amy end up using some of my own money for a hotel closer to the consulate, even though my shcool spent 10,000 yen on a place for me. I'm not sure if Iwant to go all the way to the consulate at Namba station then go back to Namab station and take the train back to Osaka station and then back the next day to namba, then back to the airport. That seems annoying.

[youmepicnic]

Osaka survival guide


What do I need at the Korean Consulate?:

As of November 26th, 2006 I needed:

1) My Passport
2) Visa Confirmation Number
3) Address and phone number of your place of employment.
4) 2 Passport Photos
5) About 7000 yen for the visa stamp


There is also a machine in the consulate in case you have forgotten or misplaced your photos.

What time do I have to be there?

The sign reads that individuals have to be there to make their applications between 9:30 and 11:30 and they can be picked up the following day between 1:30 and 3:30.

Remember to take into account that the Korean Consulate will be closed for Japanese Holidays and most Korean holidays. It is best to check with them in advance.

HOW TO GET TO OSAKA

1)After passing immigration and customs you will need to find the Kansai International Trains which are located on the 2nd floor (Arrivals are on the first). Proceed up the stairs and turn right. Go out the doors and cross the bridge. Walk into the doors and look to the left. There will be a ticket booth on the wall. Go to the Red Ticket Booth.

2) Your destination is Namba Station and there are two trains you can take. The Rapid Express Train which costs 1400 yen and takes about 30 minutes making just a few stops. The other train is the regular express train that makes many more stops. It takes 45 minutes and costs 890 yen.

3) When you get to the Namba station, look straight ahead. There are stairs down that lead to the subway. Follow the signs to Exit 7. If you see an information booth stop and ask for an OSAKA CITY MAP> have then find Osaka Capsule Inn Namba. Have them point you in the right direction.


HOUSING
I opted for the Osaka Capsule Inn Namba. It has floors dedicated for Men and Women but you can't mix the sexes on a floor.



To get there:

1) Go to Exit #7 (the picture from the Namba station to the exit is above). The exit is back out of the main hub-bub and around a few corners. It�s a maze, but follow the signs. Continue walking straight until you hit the Sabi Shoe store and take your left. If you hit the Glamour Beauty School you have gone too far.



2)Continue walking until you get to the cute Love Motel shown here. Take a left and the Capsule Motel will be right there. Its on the left hand side. It has the fa�ade of a pyramid.



HOW TO GET TO THE CONSULATE

I prefer visual landmarks and not numbers especially in the Namba Station/Walk maze. So, I opted to get out of the maze and go to the street at Exit #10.



Once you get to street level take a left and head in the direction this picture is facing. You will pass the famous Shin-Kabuki Theatre on your left (where the banners are hanging in the photo). You may even be lucky enough to dodge a line-up of old women as they wait for tickets for an upcoming performance. The theatre is a shorter building with a wavy fa�ade, and it�s much older than the buildings around it.



.
Enjoy the approximately 300 meter walk. You will pass by a Subway Restaurant, Exit #25, and McDondald's before getting to the consulate.

When you get to the Consulate proceed up the stairs. Fill out the paperwork, get your pictures if necessary, and then take a number. She will direct you to get a payment stamp from the machine. On the run I took in 2005 and 2006 it cost 6000 yen (Canadian and English) or 5400 yen (American). Return back to the window (you don't need to take a number again) and submit it. You will receive a Visa Acceptance Receipt and your pick up time. Congrats.



Places to see:
Shin-sai-bashi walkway
Shopping, eating, etc.
There is a castle near but you have to take a different train� I didn�t do it.

Budget
Train to and from airport 28,000
Lodging 50,000
Breakfast Included
Lunch 16,000
Dinner 20,000
Snacks/water 12,000
Visa stamp 60,000-65,000
191,000- 200,000

From the consulate, cross the street at the nearest crosswalk. Look down each block until you see the giant crab, walk TOWARDS the crab. This is the walkway for shopping.

[Nemesis]

For solid info and custom maps to make your visit go smooth as, check this out:

http://www.planetasiazine.com/

That's my site, and it's a shameless plug. Oh well. That's the take.

Anyhoo, Osaka's a great town with awesome nightlife. Consider the 2-day wait for the visa a blessing.

It's not enough time for sightseeing, but if you like beer, hot chicks, and interesting gaijin, it'll do.

http://bikeclubosaka.com/

Good lads. Drop a message in their forums if you're up for some wholesome fun. You'll be pointed in the right direction for sure, and more than likely gain some (well-connected) company for your mini-adventure as well.

Oh yeah, one more link -- a foreigner-friendly dorm (pack some Rizla) that's walking distance from Namba. 2,000 yen (20,000 won) per night: http://www.oct.zaq.ne.jp/orange/lemontop.html (best to email at least a week in advance to confirm).

That's the give. Have fun!

[Edit] Updated info and links

[lukeinkorea]

I am reading here that it takes TWO days at quickest to get a visa in Japan. However, a friend of a friend who has done this many times and I guess as recently as a year ago said it can be done in one day.

So, can the visa run be done in one day still, or does it take two days?

Thanks so much - this will greatly help my travel planning/expenses.

[Demonicat]

Hey, anybody going on Thursday?

[seoulhiker]

I'll be going to Osaka from Wednesday, February 28 through Friday, March 2. If anyone wants a visa run companion, please pm me.

Thanks.

[semphoon]

Ill be going March 22nd. Join me...even if you dont have to do a visa run.

[semphoon]

Hello,

My friend is going on the visa run to Osaka on the 24th of May. This is a Korean holiday. Does the Korean embassy in Japan observe Korean and Japanese vacation days?

Cheers.

[rudiger]

i have the same question as above..... need to know

[Raeddie]

It takes two days to get the visa. Even if you drop of your passport in the morning. They will tell you to come back the next day.