Korean Job Discussion Forums

htk813 · Joined: 01 Aug 2007

What's the diff between F-4 and E-2? Any benefits that outway the other? US citizen here (Korean) and was wondering which one I can get. Thanks in advance for any advice.

cubanlord · Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Location: In Japan!

biggpoppa · Joined: 14 Jul 2007 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

You are eligible for an F4 if you were born in Korea yourself and have renounced your citizenship.
You have parents or grandparents of Korean decent who have renounced your citizenship.

E-2 only lets you teach as an ESL instructor.
F-4 can let you work in almost any sector, however, many still use it to teach english.

E-2 expires after 1 year and can be renewed with a new contract.
F-4 can be renewed every two years, and does not require you to be working.

I'm pretty sure all of that is correct, if not, I'm sure someone will correct me, but my gf is currently applying for one and this is everything she's been told.

I, on the other hand, am getting the basic E-2.

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

F4 has a few other benefits like being able to buy real estate.

Theoretically, an F4 should allow you to do everything a Korean can except vote and work "dangerous" jobs. Realistically, Koreans outside of immigration don't know the difference between an F visa and a E visa.

Pak Yu Man · Joined: 02 Jun 2005 Location: The Ida galaxy

F-4 also has some drawbacks. If you do something stupid (ie illegal) with an F visa you are tried as a Korean would be.

you will do jail time on an F visa. You ever seen the inside of a Korean prison? If you're going to switch, make sure you can handle the consequences of being a bad girl or boy.

mj roach · Joined: 16 Mar 2003

If you are male and considering applying for an F-4 visa .......
you might want to find out if you will be subject to mandatory military service.

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

just another day · Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 7:55 pm Post subject:

^ well, would u rather spend 6 months overseas in jail in canada, come back to korea with no one knowing? (from a native korean's viewpoint)

or would u rather spend the rest of your life in korea being known as a criminal?

ill take the first one. being a japanese collaborator is better than being a former criminal who spent time in jail in korea.

someone with an F-4 visa has absolutely NO excuse to commit ANY crime in Korea. the opportunities are open to do anything for an F-4.