Korean Job Discussion Forums

caniff · Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Location: All over the map

Just wondering if there has been any movement on this. It was big in the news (here in Korea) about a year ago as a possibility, but then at this point it seems to have completely fallen off the radar screen.

I don't follow this issue closely, but I was recently thinking about some of my wife's family paying a visit to my mother/fatherland (they would be up for it, I'm sure), so I am curious.

Is it dependant on the ratification of the FTA agreement, I wonder? Or has it just stalled in Congress? Or did it die a slow death? I don't know.

I'm sure with all the thousands (hundreds?) of heads bobbing around this site from time to time, someone would have an idea.

Thanks a bundle.

SuperFly · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Location: In the doghouse

I haven't been following it either, but I did read somewhere that before the visa waiver program even begins, Koreans are going to have to do something about their passports..RFID chips maybe? I clearly remember someone posting a link to an article regarding the passport system and I vaguely recall something else that Korea had to change.

bluelake · Joined: 01 Dec 2005

My wife keeps talking about it being in place by next year, so that is when she wants to visit again. Still, I'll believe it when I see it.

Passions · Joined: 31 May 2006

Korea-US FTA is up in the air now, due to US elections.

Hopefully, this means the Visa waiver program is in jeopardy as well.

Temporary · Joined: 13 Jan 2008

Korea has a 3.5% rejection rate and inorder tp qualify you need less then 3%. There was an also deal made for the ROK soldiers for Iraq but to due to the FTA issues USA might have retaliated against SK for the beef and vehicle problems.

hogwonguy1979 · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: the racoon den

funny no mention about how much koreans are in to human trafficing and how that should be enough reason to deny this...

...along with their foreigner banking practices

Passions · Joined: 31 May 2006

Prostitution rates in major US cities would rise. Let's hope it doesn't pass.

PGF · Joined: 27 Nov 2006

July 2008 at the earliest......Probably mid 2009.

Korea has already started outfitting their visas with the RFID chips. I don't know if there are other factors for the waiver program, but a clerk at the embassy told me "July 2008 at the earliest......Probably mid 2009."

reactionary · Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Location: korreia

I posted on this awhile back. An interview with the US consulate said "not 2008, and maybe 2009, but don't hold your breath."

http://seoul.usembassy.gov/non-immigrant_visas.html

"Planning to travel to the U.S.A. in 2008?

While there is plenty of speculation about Korea joining the Visa Waiver Program next year, this is by no means a sure thing. Do not wait until late spring or summer, as the Embassy is often backed up for visa appointments at that time of year for as long as 6-8 weeks. We urge you strongly to apply during our slow season, October-November and January-April, when appointments are normally available within as little as 3 days. "

I like the pamphlet on that site - "Don't let fraud delay the Visa Waiver Program"

Leslie Cheswyck · Joined: 31 May 2003 Location: University of Western Chile

Will that alleviate any of this E-2 garbage over here? If not, then f*ck 'em.

Milwaukiedave · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Location: Goseong

I wouldn't wait for it, it could be a long while still before it happens. We are planning to go to the US this summer and my wife has to get a visa. We hope to go in August.

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

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

Though I would love to take my wife to USA in the future, I hope that it isn't approved.

boyne11 · Joined: 08 Jul 2007

I hope it gets approved.

I'll be back home turning in illegal Koreans.

lastat06513 · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:41 am Post subject:

~ High visa applicant rejection rate
~ High probability that US cities would be flooded with women overstaying their visa for "business" purposes.
~ High rate of achor babies being born in the US, who would flood the school systems in certain overpopulated cities
~ High rate of Koreans in general overstaying their visas to open businesses.
~ High number of people running from the law in Korea to hide in the US
~ High number of people running from the law in the US to hide in Korea
~ High number of gangsters coming to the US to distribute drugs manufactures in NK, not to mention the proliferation of counterfiet american money into the American economy

These are just some of the factors to consider when thinking about allowing Korea into the US VWP...

Weren't some of these factors also a problem with Brazil before they were taken off the list?

Also, why ratify an FTA treaty with a country that continually subsidizes its rice farms and automotive industry?