Korean Job Discussion Forums

n3ptne · Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Location: Poh*A*ng City

My fiancee and I are going to take a vacation back to the US.

According to her it is very difficult for Koreans to get an American tourist visa, to the point where I should be worried about her being allowed into the country and canceling the entire vacation.

Any truth to this?

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

n3ptne · Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Location: Poh*A*ng City

She owns a house, a car, is a pharmacist and has assets including a prepaid ticket back to Korea two weeks after arrival.

behindtheveil · Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Location: Gimpo

Can't you get a visa in advance from the embassy? That might answer your question before you show up in the U.S.

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

You are asking the wrong people�you�she needs to ask and file with USCIS. You will not be involved and USCIS will not even talk to you�it�s her application.
A young, unmarried korean woman usually does not get a visa.
The decision is up to the adjudicating officer and you are at their whim. It all depends on how he/she feels when they are reviewing the application. They have to make a decision in a matter of minutes due to many applications. If she meets the criteria, her application will be move along for consideration.
The first thing they will look at is her ties to korea. Are the chances good that she will return? If she has her own apartment, a professional career and money, the chances are better for approval.
It�s a case by case. Each is different. She will need a police report as well. She should file as quickly as possible as it takes time.

Bailsibub · Joined: 22 Dec 2006

Hey Neptune,

I don't know where these people get their info....

Anyway, my fiance just got her visa no problem.

She went to a visa agency and they gave her advice and prepared her papers. It was relatively cheap, like 160,000.

She told them that we were going home and visiting my parents. Depending on your woman's situation, she may or may not want to tell the embassy that you are engaged. Otherwise, she will need to get a special 'fiance' visa. That's a pain, by the way. (you need a copy of the invitation...a reserved wedding hall, hotel, etc.)

She should add your parents address, their info, and yours to the paperwork.

I wouldn't worry about this too much. Have her go to a visa agency. They will give her the best advice. She should definitely be able to get her visa.

NeonRain · Joined: 30 Jan 2007

I was in a similar position except I am a fiancee of an American but I am not Korean. I think they looked at me more suspiciously at the embassy than any of the other applicants, since I have no ties to Korea except for my job.

As far as I understand it all depends on your ties to the country. The best she can do is go online to the embassy site, book an interview/application date (this is the waiting time, usually have to book about 3 weeks in advance) and then go and see what is said. It took them three days to send my passport (with visa) back to me. That part doesn't take long. From what you say she sounds like she has strong ties to Korea.

Good luck, the whole experience stressed me out majorly, especially since I love my home country and would have no reason to stay in the US illegally since I have a nice job over here. I understand what you guys are going through Smile