Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ABC KID]

I have just returned from a trip home. The trip started badly!

My wife, baby and I got to Incheon airport and made it as far as immigration control. The immigration officer inspected my baby's passport very carefully and started asking lots of questions (my baby was born last fall). Eventually none the wiser, I was sent to a room for naughty people...

They asked why my baby's birth had not been registered at the immigration office within thirty days (I had registered it at the embassy and my wife had registered it at some local Korean office). The answer to the question was simple really. Prior to the baby's birth, my wife had asked at the local immigration office whether it would be necessary to register the birth there. The answer was no!

Now I had to wait to find out how much I was going to get fined. I was really fearing the worst at this stage, having read suggestions on Dave's of 100,000 won per day for outstaying your visa. I had quickly calculated that I was looking at several million won. Thankfully it only turned out to be 100,000 won (100,000 won per day for outstaying your visa is totally wrong too by the way). I had to pay on the spot.

Some people might say that I should go back to the immigration office looking for blood but we've been once on other business since they gave the wrong info and there was no sign of the guy that gave the wrong information. Immigration control generally can not be beaten anyway.

This whole episode serves to confirm a commonly held belief on Dave's that if you want information from immigration in Korea, you should ask at least two different officers on two different days until you get the answer you want. It might also be useful to note the name of the person giving the information.

Anyway, just thought I'd share my experience. If it stops even one other person getting fined I have done a good deed.

[twg]

Immi couldn't find their ass with both hands and the help of a friend.

[expat2001]

What really bugs me is the fact , that korean immigration truly believes that in no way, could they have made a mistake.

[Young FRANKenstein]

[fusionbarnone]

I was supposed to have been fine 30k for overstaying two weeks according to my district immi who wouldn't extend my visa.

On the leaving day at Incheon, I was directed to the bad foreigner section, filled out forms, handed them in, was allowed to go. I was ready to pay but didn't have too it seems. Perhaps someone at the Incheon immi. got lucky the previous night.

I was really thankful.

[bassexpander]

Was there a few weeks ago. Was overcharged 30,000 won on a visa renewal stamp that I didn't need.

They refused to refund me the following week.

[The Hammer]

Korean immigration takes another bite!

[cdninkorea]

Why should you have to register a baby with Immigration? If the baby was born in Korea s/he isn't an immigrant...

[Mi Yum mi]

[CentralCali]

[marlow]

The baby has dual citizenship?

[Newbie]

Which passport did you show them when you came in? It was my understanding that if we show them our daughter's Korean passport that we wouldn't have any problems.

[that guy]

My wife and I have been trying to register our daughter with immigration for the last couple of weeks without any luck. They keep insisting that we give them a copy of a Canadian birth certificate even though she was born in Korea. The Canadian embassy found that quite funny.


We decided to cut immigration out of the deal and just leave under my daughter's Korean passport.

[ABC KID]

[rusty1983]

So is it a 30,000 or 100,000 for overstaying? Confusing country isnt it?

The annoying thing about this is we are only overstaying to help our school, who wont be bothered finsding this stuff out for us! Aaaagggghh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!