Korean Job Discussion Forums

austinfd · Joined: 14 May 2006

Hey all..

What do you think about this: I am currently on an E-2 visa, that would be revoked if I were to give notice and leave my current job at mid-contract. I'm thinking about doing this, but I would like to come right back and study Korean for a few months (on a tourist visa). Do you think it would be a problem to leave with my E-2 canceled, head to Japan and turn around the next day back to Seoul, hoping to get in on a tourist visa??

lastat06513 · Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 1:03 pm Post subject:

That is exactly what will happen.
Once you finish (or leave) your current contract and leave Korea, the only way to return is on an entry stamp (the length of stay will depend on your nationality) or you can apply for a tourist visa stamp in your passport, which for Americans will allow them to come to Korea for 90-day stays for up to 5 years.

You can apply for a student visa if you intend on studying at a university, which is good because it will allow you to privately tutor students 100% legally....which is one of the perks of having a student visa.

austinfd · Joined: 14 May 2006

lastat06513 · Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 4:09 pm Post subject:

From what I know, all you need is a invitation letter from a university and other documentation to get a student visa and it takes almost the same amount of time as getting a work visa.

But I would have to agree with you, with the amount of time it might take to get a student visa might be alittle cumbersome...

Do you have a school in mind?

Alot of schools that have foreign students have a person who takes care of the visa formalities, go see them and see what they say about it.

If not, just go to Japan, pay the 45,000won for the C-3 visa, the good thing about it is good for up to 5 years, you can't beat it.

austinfd · Joined: 14 May 2006

I see...

So the C-3 is different than the standard 90 day tourist stamp?

lastat06513 · Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 4:24 pm Post subject:

a C-3 stamp IS for 90 days IF you're American.
From what I know, if you're Canadian, you get 6 months at the airport and if you're British or Australian, you get 90 days at the airport.

It just depends on your nationality.

austinfd · Joined: 14 May 2006

lastat06513 · Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 5:57 pm Post subject:

I learned about it from the immigration officer that told it to me when I thought about applying for a student visa to study Korean and said that I could do it as long as it doesn't interfere with school schedule.....

The only formality is that if I wanted to report it legit, I would have to report it to immigrations and all.......or just do it and keep my mouth shut and do it.....

maeil · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Location: Haebangchon

To get a D-4 student visa (temporary language study) you will also need to prove that you have at least 3 million won in the bank. If you can't, then you need a sponsor. Your bank can print out an official document showing how much you have that you turn in with your application.

The invitation letter from your university should show the dates of the class you're going to be taking. Your visa will be issued pretty much for those exact dates.

If you can't get the student visa in Japan, I'm pretty sure you can just go down to immi in Seoul with all of the documents and apply for a change in sojurn from your C-3 (or tourist stamp, depending on what country you're from.)

lastat06513 · Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 11:19 pm Post subject:

Maeil~~From the students I have talked to, you can still work on a student visa......
At least that was my understanding....