Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ninenine0]

Hi,

I'm in Seoul looking for a job on a 30-day tourist visa/visa waiver or whatever Americans get. My thirty days are up within the next two weeks, and although I hope to hear about a job in the next few days, it won't start before my visa is up.

I know from searching these forums that Americans have extended tourist visas to 90 days, but I have some questions that I haven't found answers to, and I'd appreciate any answers just to be prepared. If anyone's ever done it, is it easy? Do I need a plane or ferry ticket to assure them that I'm leaving? A note from a job (if I have one lined up by then)? Proof of sufficient funds or anything? Also, do you recommend that I tell them I'm waiting for a job to start or just that I want to see more of the country/continue visiting my friend?

The immigration Web site says somewhat ambiguous/confusing things about extensions of tourist visas, so I'm hoping for some info from people who have done this. I guess if it doesn't work out I'll just go to Fukuoka for a day, but I'd rather avoid that since I'll have to do it again a few weeks later.

Anyway thanks for any help.

[lastat06513]

You have to leave and come back into Korea to get another 30-days unless you have family there (IE, a Korean spouse) and then you can file for an emergency extention for another 2 weeks. But keep in mind that the immigration officer dealing with your case will be the one who judges it to be an emergency or not.
But it might behoove you to get a C-3 visa. It will allow you come and go from Korea for 90 days and it is good for up to 5 years. I am not saying you should extend your job search that long, but it might help you to have enough time to look for a decent job instead of taking something that just pops up and you might regret it later

[LexusNexus]

[ninenine0]

[ninenine0]

I just thought I'd update this in case anyone is ever wondering about/searching for this issue in the future... I went today and got my 30-day American visa waiver thing extended at the main immigration office. It was incredibly easy. Basically I got there at 8:45 a.m., they started calling people at 9 a.m., I was called at 9:10 a.m., and I left at 9:30 a.m.

Anyway I just wanted anybody who's looking for this information in the future to know that it is possible for an American to extend a tourist visa, it's really easy, they don't seem to care much. You just fill out the form in the room on the main floor, get the currency stamps (30,000 won) from the basement, and all you need is your passport besides that. You just give the form, the stamps, and the passport to the civil servant. On the form they have a space for why you need to stay... I just put the truth (waiting to go on a visa run for E-2) and there were no problems.

The only thing is I think you have to do it 3+ days before your stay expires, so don't wait till the very last minute (I almost did).

[ttompatz]

[OiGirl]