Korean Job Discussion Forums

[reactionary]

It's not happening for them in 2008, and it may not even happen in 2009:

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/Interview/2007/11/15/58/0901000000AEN20071114006600315F.HTML

[Pyongshin Sangja]

Ha. You just made my day. Thanks.

[Milwaukiedave]

That's disappointing to say the least, but not too surprising. We were hoping there would be a visa waiver for next summer so my wife could visit the US.

I've heard stories on here where the US Embassy has screwed up visas for spouses, which worries me if we have all our travel plans set. Can anyone tell us about how long before our trip we should apply for the visa?

[reactionary]

Sorry to hear that Milwaukeedave - I have to admit I felt a tinge of glee in light of all the hoops being presented for E2 visas.

Believe it or not, the Seoul embassy has been fairly helpful when I've sent them e-mails - you might want to give them a try.

[sojourner1]

I don't understand why th US is being so anal with an ally who allows tourist visas upon arrival. Is it an unfair police state or what?

The US is not holding up it's end of being cooperative with reciprocal international relations. I am surprised it is not any more difficult for Americans to travel abroad than it is with how many US allies allow tourist visas upon arrival while the US does not. They could allow tourist visa upon on arrival and detain and deny entry to those who are wanted or carrying contraband such as laundered money, cocaine, meth, and things to build weapons.

I found my entries into the US to be the most nerve racking part of my travels with very strict and thorough checks, customs agents interviews on what I were doing abroad with negative and judgmental scrutiny, and the long queues. Even before 9/11, it was the same crapola tense setting.

I entered many other countries with no such discomforts and inconveniences.

[davai!]

[lastat06513]

Again....my letter-writing campaign worked.....

Never underestimate a vet with inside knowledge of Korea who also know a group of disgruntle ESL teachers who were vets and connections with the American Legion and the VFW.

Lastat: 3
Korea: who cares......

[davai!]

http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200606/200606080030.html

Korean Prostitutes Threaten Visa Waiver

The U.S. Consul General to Seoul says Korean prostitutes who stay illegally in the U.S. are a major psychological barrier to a visa waiver for Korean visitors there.

Michael Kirby told reporters Thursday it does not help Korea�s efforts for a visa waiver if Korean women are uncovered every time there is a prostitution bust in the U.S. Kirby said apart from decreasing the percentage of visa refusals, Korea must also cooperate in a system of joint law enforcement and ensure that Americans have a good impression of Koreans.

It was the first time a U.S. Embassy official has tied Korean prostitutes to the visa waiver. This suggests Korea must deal with the problem even if it does manage to bring down its visa rejection rate to the required level of 3 percent.

Kirby said on one occasion last year 100 Korean women were arrested on prostitution charges in a single day in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Korean women were also held in Connecticut, New York and Huston this year, he said, with Korean women forming a bigger part of the prostitution problem in the U.S, than those of any other nationality during the last one to two years.

The consul said many of the women are smuggled into the U.S. via Canada or Mexico, and some of them enter the country on forged visas. Korean women pay between US$15,000 and 20,000 to traffickers and often see no option except prostitution to pay them off, he added.

Korea and the U.S. discussed the issue when the Foreign Ministry�s Director of Consular Affairs Bureau Lee Joon-gyu was in the U.S. recently.

[lastat06513]

But you know, Korea was also citing their recent assistance in Iraq and Afghanistan and the recently signed FTA as reasons to allow Korea to enter the VWP. And some prominent Democrats were willing to "turn the other cheek" in regards to the disproportionate number of Korean nationals residing in the US, even under suspicious circumstances like prostitution. One of the reasons for the abrupt turn-about is the prostitution and VT.

Part of the deal to keep Korean troops in Iraq for another year was that the US would reconsider Korea for the VWP, which will not happen, at least for this year........

But when you have alot 90 people writing letters and I meet with Rosa Delauro and Joe Lieberman (both who come around here often during election season, especially for their "special interest" candidates), talking to them about stuff like this and showing copies of articles from Chosun Ilbo and even Dave's itself, it can have even a minor impact (I won't claim total victory as my last message implied....)

I am just so happy to be apart of political history, no matter how insignificant it my contribution or the issue.

[lastat06513]

I just feel like Christmas came early for me.....OMFG!!!
I am on cloud-nine

[Optimus Prime]

Korea tightening visa regulations on us. Think this goes un-noticed by diplomats?

So, we tighten regs. Tit-for-tat.

Look for Canada, Australia, etc. to get tougher on Koreans trying to visit our home countries.

Koreans think they live in a vacuum, but news of things that happen here regarding foreigners gets out.

[in_seoul_2003]

[highlander_76]

What about the high amount of illegal immigration to the States via tourist visas by Koreans? I heard of it more than a few times among my Korean friends in the U.S. Maybe the U.S. is worried about getting even more illegal immigrants from Korea.

[nautilus]

[whatever]

Exactly.