Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Trevor]

Okay, so I get a new job at a university in February. They tell me at IMMI that I don't even need to leave the country. All I have to do is pay $90 for an "extension of sojourn" and another $60 for a "transfer of employer" and I'm done.

Great, right?

So, I leave on the fourteenth of July for a ten day vacation in Thailand.

No problem.

I get back on the 24th and the IMMI official at customs tells me that my visa has expired.

I handily point out the extension stamp on the next page.

He says that doesn't count. he says I had to ask permission to re-enter the country before I left.

I handily point out the "M" for multiple entry on my original visa. All U.S. citizens have one.

He says that doesn't count because the visa has expired. He says the extension doesn't matter. "Isn't that just common sense" he asks?

I don't know what common sense means to him, but to me, common sense means that an "extension of sojourn" would mean an extension of all the original rights and priviliges of the original visa. At least, no one told me differently.

So they confiscate my alien card and tell me to go visit Busan IMMI. Meanwhile, they give me a 30 day visa and I can't teach until they get this straightened out.

WTF?

[Roch]

That's Korea for ya, eh.

I hope and pray that this gets resolved in your favour as soon as possible.

R

[Trevor]

I am correct that U.S. citizens are given multiple entry visas, yes? And I don't need to ask permission to reenter the country, yes?

If that is true, why does the IMMI official think it is intuitive that an extension would not include this privilege?

Does anyone have an extension on their original visa that they got without leaving the country?

[Trevor]

I am correct that U.S. citizens are given multiple entry visas, yes? And I don't need to ask permission to reenter the country, yes?

If that is true, why does IMMI official think it is intuitive that an extension would not include this privilege?

Does anyone have an extension on their original visa that they got without leaving the country?

[Bigs]

My understanding is (and those in the know - please correct me if I'm wrong) is that an extension of visa only applies if you are re-signing a contract with the company that owns the original visa. Hence you would need a new visa, not an extension, for a new job.

In any case, best of luck to you... I hope it turns out well.

[laconic2]

Ran across this:

http://plus.cnu.ac.kr/english/M05/EM05_04_04.jsp

[Trevor]

I also gave them $60 for a "transfer of employer" stamp. They knew I was signing a new contract.

[Trevor]

The United States is not listed there, however I am sure that most U.S. Citizens here will tell you they have an "M" on their visa.

[hellofaniceguy]

[Satin]

An extension of your visa is just that; HOWEVER, the multiple entry permit is not. Afraid you will have to pay the fee to get one added. Stupid, but true.

[Trevor]

Yes, and by your logic they don't have to be correct in order to still be correct.

Fascists have been operating under that ideology for millenia. You are in excellent company.

[Trevor]

Can you tell me the source of that information?

Thx.

[Satin]

Do a search on "multiple entry visa." Should be on page three, titled "visa extension."

[buster brown]

I have to side with Satin on this one. You're mistaking a work visa for an entry visa. In my passport the entry visa is called a "Re-Entry Permit." Looking at my original visa, I can see where you might have made the assumption that both were included with the extension. In your shoes, I would have probably done the same thing and been extremely frustrated by the resulting snafu. However, the re-entry permit is what the official was referring to. As usual in Asia, if you don't ask the *exact* question, like "Will this visa extension allow me to go out and re-enter Korea?" you won't get the information you need. Good luck getting things sorted out, hopefully someone will be able to help you.

[Tony_Balony]

Do Canadians have to pay extra for the multiple entry visa?