Korean Job Discussion Forums

[tareze]

I get a newsletter from the US Embassy, so I thought I should share
the bit about Visas. And, Ooooo, look at the part about the 'incorrect information'...


_____________________________________
VISA RULES FOR FOREIGN INSTRUCTORS
-------------------------------------
The Korean Ministry of Justice announced that as of December 15, 2007,
foreigners will have to submit medical and criminal background checks
when applying for a visa to become a foreign language teacher in South
Korea. The U.S. Embassy cannot provide a background check or
fingerprinting service, and we cannot notarize, certify, or verify the
authenticity of background checks or diplomas.

As we understand the new requirements, E-2 visa applicants who are
U.S. citizens can obtain the necessary criminal background check
either by submitting their fingerprints to the FBI or by applying for
a local police check where they last resided in the U.S. Procedures
for obtaining criminal background checks in the U.S. are explained on
our website at http://www.asktheconsul.org/E2ec07.htm. Local police
stations in the Republic of Korea are able to take fingerprints that
can be sent to the FBI for a background check. U.S. Embassies are,
unfortunately, prohibited from taking fingerprints for these purposes.


Regrettably, the Korea Immigration Service (KIS) has placed incorrect
information on its website concerning services U.S. embassies can and
cannot perform. As of this writing the "New Release: Mandatory
Requirements of Criminal Background Check and Health Certificate" on
the KIS website contains incorrect information about the length of
time it can take to get a criminal records check in the U.S. and also
states erroneously that the U.S. Embassy can notarize or certify
background checks. We have asked that the incorrect information be
removed from the KIS website and we regret any inconvenience or
misunderstanding that has resulted from their explanation of our
services.

As we receive updated information on the Korean visa requirements, we
will post it on our website. The U.S. Embassy website will also
continue to be the best source of information about the services that
we are able to provide under U.S. law and regulation. If you have
further questions, we suggest that you contact the office responsible
for the new requirements, the Korea Immigration Service, Border
Control Division, at 500-9116, 500-9117, or 500-9118, or consult their
website at http://seoul.immigration.go.kr/HP/IMM80/index.do or the
Ministry of Justice website (in Korean only) at
http://moj.korea.kr/moj/jsp/moj1_branch.jsp?_action=news_view&_property=p_sec_1&_id=155250149.

[icnelly]

Re-post it in this thread:

The "United Statesian" Criminal Check thread

There's another thread on this currently, but the info is pertinent to the US CBC thread.

[Poemer]

any reason why the "ask the consul" link above comes up as non-existent? Does it work for other people?

[Snowkr]

Thank you, Tareze, for posting that.

It's very helpful.

[cangel]

I sent 2 emails to Ask the Consul and received zero replies. This is not out of the ordinary for consulates. Consul personnel are about the laziest workers I have ever encountered. I'm glad they finally got around to putting something out.

[bassexpander]

You're several days late:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=109404

[blade]

[Snowkr]

This info was really helpful.

I'm just wondering if any Americans out there have actually been able to get this apostille on their criminal background check in the U.S. and then sent it to immigration here and had it accepted.

In my state, we have to get a notary stamp on our CRC application before we can even get the background check done. So it seems that a local notary stamp and apostille must appear on the form.

[chaz47]

Bumping this one hoping that somebody can clarify about notarization/apostilation of an online CBC check?