Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Himself]

Hello all! Long time reader, first time poster...

I worked in Korea about 3-4 years ago, and after getting my M.A. TESOL, I lined up another job there (this time at a university). I had bought tickets for myself and my new wife (married two weeks ago today) to leave for Korea in about a week and a half. I was just waiting to receive the all clear from the person in charge of immigration-style paperwork at the university to go to the consulate and get my work visa when I received a call from him telling me that my visa was rejected because of my "history" in Korea.

I immediately thought that my previous (hagwon) employer had blacklisted me or something, but no, that was not the case. According to Immigration, I never left Korea 3 years ago! I left by boat from Incheon port to go to China and travel through Asia, so I do have proof that I was outside of Korea when my work visa ended, but there was no one at the port who stamped my passport on the way out.

Has anyone else run into this? Am I barred from Korea forever? The person at the university is working on the problem, but I appreciate any counsel/advice/warnings from the community...

[laconic2]

Was anybody at the Chinese port to stamp you into China? Did you turn in your ARC before you left Korea the last time around? Your passport should pretty much tell the story where you have been for the last several years. Then again, you did manage to leave Korea without an exit stamp....

[Wangja]

FWIW a similar thing has happened to a Dutch chum of mine in USA. About 10 years ago, the airline check-in staff did not hand in his exit slip - the bottom part of the entry card - and according to immigration there he has never left the country. Each time he goes there, he spends about 2 hours in explanation, he has visited consulates the world over to rectify, but all to no avail. Immigration officials are a race apart.

[Pak Yu Man]

Immigration officers are idiots the world over.

[hellofaniceguy]

[cdninkorea]

I hate Immigration a little more with each and every passing day...

Sorry I can't offer any advice though.