Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kupon7]

I am a Korean-American that was born in the US. My parents immigrated here and are still permanent residents. Because of this I am not eligible for the F-4 visa right?

The reason I ask is that, I've called two consulates in San Francisco and Los Angeles and both tell me that I in fact am eligible. They even told me to send my parents' passport and green cards along with the other required documentation. This seems to conflict everything I've read about the F-4. This seems a little strange. I read in another post, that even though if they do issue the F-4 here, I would have to go to the immigration office in Korea and that I could get denied there even though everything was approved here.

I was just wondering what would happen to me and if I am in fact eligible. Thanks.

[the_beaver]

You're eligible.

For reasons unknown the concept of Korean is linked to genetics and not common sense.

[kupon7]

[jvalmer]

Not sure. Since your parents are still Korean citizens, in theory you are a citizen by default. However, if your not registered in Korea, they won't know about you and probably don't care much.

I'd say try getting the visa issuance sticker in your passport at the embassy in the US and try getting your card, with just your passport and show them the F4 sticker, at the local immigration office when in Korea. If they deny you, just re-enter, and you'll be stamped with tourist visa. If they do give you the card, you're good for 2 years, but if you stay longer and try renewing, they might deny you when you renew. Since they want to see all your paper work if you renew inside Korea.

[thiophene]

Mine is good for 3 years.

[Yaya]

[kupon7]

Thank you for all the replies. I thought I would give an update on my situation. I submitted the application two days ago and received my F-4 visa today. So far so good, but I still have to go to immigration and see what happens.

Something strange though, it says the period of time I'm allowed to stay is 2 years, but the final entry date is in 2011, which is 3 years from now. My guess is that means 2 years from the date I register with immigration? That's what thiophene might have meant when 3 years was mentioned.

[OiGirl]

Maybe you can stay for two years within those three?

Like my tourist visa was valid for five years, but I could only stay in Korea for three months at a time.

[maeil]

I really know very little about this, but if you're male you might want to check to make sure that you won't be drafted when you come here.

There was a revived thread from a few years ago in the general discussions forum recently. I don't remember all of the details but it seems to me that if your parents are still Korean citizens, you might want to make sure you aren't on the "list" that would get you forced into the army.

If you're female... well, have fun here.

My understanding of the 'final entry date' is that it is just that - the last day that you can enter the country. I believe that your two years here begin on the day you enter. So, technically, you could wait 3 years before ever coming to Korea and stay until 2013. At least, that's the way it worked with my multiple entry Chinese visa. The 'final entry date' was the 26th of August. I was allowed 30 days in the country. I entered on the 26th of August and stayed for 5 days.

[thiophene]