Korean Job Discussion Forums

pest2 · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada

I believed I had a multiple entry E2 visa because I asked my English speaking Korean liason to get me one when I started this year (the immigration people in my province dont speak English so the liason was translating.) My visa is not a piece of paper glued into my passport like I had before. Its a stamp with a bunch of Korean writing -- some I can understand and some I cant. When I got it, there was no reason to believe it wasnt a multiple entry visa.

I went back to America for a family event for 1 week. When I went through immigration on the way out, the guy just looked at my passport and stamped it. Didnt ask any questions. Just stamped it and said thankyou. He looked hungover and/or sick.

When I came back to Korea and went through immigration, they asked where my re-entry permit was. I said, "I have a multiple entry visa and I still have my ID card." To make a long story short, it turns out my visa was only single entry and the effect was that my E2 got cancelled, my ID card confiscated, and I got issued a 30 day tourist visa.

So, are the immi officers required to take the ID card if you leave without a re-entry permit on a single entry visa? Are they required to ask if you intend to return when you leave on a single entry visa?

I am thinking that now that I'm on a tourist visa, I need to get a new E2 ASAP. I work for the public schools so its not like I have to leave Korea (thank God).. But I shouldnt work until I get a visa. At all. Right?

polonius · Joined: 05 Jun 2004

If you are Canadian, and have an E2 visa, then you only have the visa you were granted and need to get a re-entry visa either at the immigration at the airport or immigration at your local district. Immi at the airport only give single re-entry, while immi in your district will allow you multiple re-entry. Single=30,000 multiple=50,0000 won.

If you are American, and are on your first contract, WITHOUT EXTENSION you are granted multilple re-entry. For Americans, everytime they start a new contract at a new school, they get a new multi pass. If they re-new, then they need to get a re-entry.

I am not certain with other nationalities.

So it sounds like you are an American, and therefore, you have a multipass...

But these are the conditions that apply. If you were unjustly treated, go to immigratiom and try to get it cleared up. I am only speaking from what I have whitnessed with my teachers, American, and Canadian.

Bottom line is it depends if you are American or Canadian. You went to the States, yet you claim to be in Canada, so it is slightly confusing. Canadians do not automatically get re-entry visas, whereas Americans do.

pest2 · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada

polonius · Joined: 05 Jun 2004

If you are American, then you SHOULD have a multiple re-entry visa on your original work visa.

If you lost your working visa, that just downright sucks. I have had teachers working for me, who were American, did NOT get their ARC card, left for a vacation, and came back no problem. Sounds like you got hooped.

take your info to the immigration office, and get it clarified. The worst they can say is that you are are now on a visitors visa, BUT... you should, in reality not have lost your E2 visa, at least from the information that I have been given. Check it out. I am sure that others will agree with me, and if not, I would be curious to know the results, as it affects many of my teachers.

amberflannery · Joined: 25 Oct 2006

i'm an american and on my first contract- but my visa says S. does this mean i need a reentry?

azzwell · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 5:35 am Post subject: ll

if you have an S on your visa it means single entry, NOT multiple

jellobean · Joined: 14 Mar 2006

You got an immi officer having a bad day..... I mistakenly did the same thing the first time I had an extension, but the guy just told me to be sure I got it next time.... I leave Korea a lot so maybe that's why he was nice to me...

amberflannery · Joined: 25 Oct 2006

so is it better to get a multi entry or get a single at the airport? i'm going to china next month so trying to figure out a plan of action Smile

azzwell · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 5:45 am Post subject: dsfad

get a multiple at immi before you go or at the airport. That way if you decide to leave k-land again during your contract you can save yourself a little bit of money and hassle.

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

You may be able to do it on-line...but since you say that your E-2 was cancelled, you should notify your employer IMMEDIATELY and let them know EXACTLY what happened! They should be able to work out something with immigration.

http://www.immigration.go.kr/indeximmeng.html

valkyrian2 · Mod Team Joined: 15 May 2007

Ummm... this was an 2 month old post from last April...

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

True, but the single/multiple entry visa question is perennial, especially for people new to Korea and going on their first out-of-country vacation.

lowpo · Joined: 01 Mar 2007

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

You were VERY lucky! Sometimes the airline agent will tell you that you need a multiple entry permit and direct you, but cases like this are few and far between. Best to check your re-entry permit now. If you have to leave in an emergency situation (death/illness at home), it's one less thing that you have to worry about.

jellobean · Joined: 14 Mar 2006

Last time I went (about 6 months ago) they weren't selling multiples at the airport.... Wish I had known because that meant I had to go buy another the next time...