Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Oreovictim]

Okay, so I've been applying to a few schools. I have two different schools that want me to sign and start right away and just do a visa run when I get there. I told the recruiter that I'm pretty sure that I need to have an interview with the Korean Consulate as soon as I get my visa issuance number.

He told me that since I've taught before, I don't have to have an interview with the Korean consulate.(??) I'm fairly certain that he's talking out of his a$$ because 1. He just wants his $$. 2. The school just wants me over there ASAP because it's a pain to get new teachers.

So everyone needs to have an appointment with the Korean Consulate, right?

[roknroll]

2. E2 Visa Process and Application
- All new applicants must have an interview at a consulate
- In general, all applicants must submit the E2 visa application to the Korean embassy/ consulate in their home country.
- Any applicants who qualify within any of the conditions below can apply for an E2 visa at Korean embassy/ consulate of a third party country.
a. Applicants with a past history of an E1 visa (university professor), E2 visa (English instructor), E3 visa (academic research/ student visa), with no history of breaking Korean law
b. A member of the Korean University Education Union/ Community that verifies academic qualifications
Consulate interview
Your E2 visa will only be issued after a successful interview.
Applicants Requiring a Personal Interview
- In general, all applicants for an E2 visa require a personal interview.
Note: Applicants that qualify to submit an E2 visa application in a third party country may/ may not be required to have a personal interview.
※Any applicants who qualify within any of the conditions below can apply for an E2 visa at Korean embassy/ consulate of a third party country.
a. Applicants with a past history of an E1 visa (university professor), E2 visa (English instructor), E3 visa (academic research/ student visa), with no history of breaking Korean law
b. A member of the Korean University Education Union/ Community that verifies academic qualifications
Interview Questions and Process
- Personal interviews will be conducted using the interview questions listed below (Consul�s Checklist for E2 Applicant)
- If the Korean e\Embassy/ Consulate deems that the applicant lives an unreasonable distance to be physically present for a personal interview, a web cam interview via the internet will be substituted
If the interviewer at the Korean embassy/ consulate deems the applicant is not suited for an E2 visa, the issuance of a new E2 visa will be denied regardless of the applicants past history.

Shouldn't need one but there always seems to be the loopholes that allow them to demand one if they want.

[Oreovictim]

Thanks! Now all I have to do is find a job that will pay for the visa run. If they want me to come ASAP, they can pay for it.

[roknroll]

visa runs are paid for by the hakwons and schools.

[prairieboy]

The consulates don't know their faces from their asses when it comes to the new E-2 rules. Same applies to most immigration officers. You can ask a question to 10 different people and get 10 different responses to the question without ANY consistency among the various answers.

So, even though the new regs are that if you've held an E-2 visa previously you are exempt, the consulate you go to for your new E-2 visa will likely require you do go through the interview.

Even those who started the process just before December 15, 2007 ended up having to go through the interview when they should have been exempt.

Count on having to jump through each and every hoop and be pleasantly surprised if you get to skip one or two steps. Expect the worst and hope for the best until immigration fully understands the new regs and gets the consulates on board.

Cheers

[Ut videam]

[South Jeolla Blues]

Since I was an E-2 visa holder previously, I was able to get my visa in Japan. I went to the Korean Consulate in Fukuoka. There were no problems and there wasn't an interview. I just gave them my application, my passport, and forked over 5,400円 and that was that. My visa was ready the next morning.