Korean Job Discussion Forums

[helly]

Did a search for questions on this but didn't find the answers I'm looking for.

How long can one stay in Korea after the expiration of visa. I have been told 14 days.

- Does anyone know if this is the case?
- Can anyone provide a phone number of someone who definitatively answer this question?
- Am I required to seek an extension or is this automatic? (read: Do I have to go to Mok-dong Immigration or can I sit in my cozy office?)

Thanks in advance for help

[Guest]

It depends on the nature of "expiration." If your visa expires based ONLY on the expiration date on the visa then you are technically required to leave the country the SAME DAY as expiration or you are overstaying your visa. You can prevent that by getting a 30 day extension to your visa, but you must do that BEFORE the expiration. If you are fired, quit, cancel your visa, etc then you have 14 days from the day that the paperwork actually is submitted to Immigration ... for technical purposes I think I am here illegally at the moment myself. I guess I'll find out soon.

[bucheon bum]

yeah, what he said. If you stay more than one day beyond your visa, you'll be fined. If it is your first violation, you won't be fined though, just have to sign a form that says you'll never do it again.

[helly]

Thanks for the replies. I'm getting so many different pieces of information. One from my administration manager says I must go to immigration and apply for an extension. Unfortunately, looks like I must do this.

[Quin]

I just got a 30 day extension myself, although going to immigration was a pain once I was there it was a quick process. All you have to do is fill in a form and the guy updates your card and the computer. All I took with me was my passport and my Alien card but he didn't want to see my passport. It took me about 5 minutes. No fees and no interrogation.

[helly]

I'm not worried about getting the extension, don't expect it to be trouble at all. Not happy that I actually HAVE to go to immigration.

Most unhappy because I received the little card a while back, called immigration and told them my story, they said, "no problem, you have to leave within 14 days." Asked if I needed an extension, they said "no."

So, now yesterday, they call my office adminstrative lady and say to her, "your foreign employee's visa expires soon and he hasn't applied for an extension. " She's the one who called before and was told that we didn't need to do anything.

Lessons learned:

Immigration will always tell you something different. Check all sources and do what will cause the least damage.

Being a foreigner has nothing to do with it. They can't get their story straight in Korean, either.

[kangnam mafioso]

i almost missed my flight leaving korea because my visa expired by one day. i figured one day wouldn't be a problem, but the airline wouldn't give me a boarding pass, had to go to a special immigration office and wait in line, got scolded out, etc. i didn't have to pay a fine because it was the first time, but the hassle was definitely unfortunate given that i was late getting to the airport.

[helly]

My god the immigration office is a MAD HOUSE!!! I guess its got something to do with the illegal foreign worker crackdown but I've never seen anything like yesterday. Simply chaos, standing-room only! Actually felt sorry for some of the workers there (the ones trying to be helpful, not the rude punks)