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Chuggiya55
Joined: 19 May 2008
Location: Canada
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 Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 6:37 pm Post subject: Must both spouses be present to apply for F2 Visa? |
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I'm a Canadian who had planned to come to Korea with my Korean wife (currently living with me in Canada) in June, but I've just found out that I need to have surgery. This means that I'll probably have to stay behind.
I will be able to make the trip in December, but my wife won't be able to come (she'll be back in Canada). Does anyone know if I would be able to get an F2 visa on my own--just show our marriage certificate and maybe some other id, etc? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 7:36 pm Post subject: |
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on an F2, your wife is your sponsor. If she is not here, how do you expect her to sponsor you and be responsible for you?
It won't happen.
You'll get a 6 month, B2 stamp on arrival at the airport. If you want to work you will need to A: bring your wife or B: get a work visa. |
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Faunaki
Joined: 15 Jun 2007
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| Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 7:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Both have to go and the offices are not open on Saturday so you will have to go during the weekday. |
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Chuggiya55
Joined: 19 May 2008
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 8:00 pm Post subject: |
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on an F2, your wife is your sponsor. If she is not here, how do you expect her to sponsor you and be responsible for you?
It won't happen.
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Hmmm.... Did I say that I "expected her to sponsor" me? Funny...I don't seem to recall saying anything like that.
Anyway, aside from that, thanks for the heads up on something that hadn't dawned on me. It's been a few years since I went through the visa application process--and that was only for the C3--so I didn't realize all that it entails. What you point out makes perfect sense, though, so again I say thank you for making things clear. |
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tob55
Joined: 29 Apr 2007
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| Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 8:11 pm Post subject: Plain and Simple |
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The plain facts about the F2-1 is that the spouse IS the sponsor. It is a spousal residence visa which is the step in line with becoming your own visa holder in Korea which is the F5-9. The F2 requires that both parties are present at the time the application is made. The spouse may be able to pick it up, but I kind of doubt it since immigration directly told me I had to come back in 10 days after they processed my F2-1. When I received my F5-9 it was special delivered to me and my wife was able to sign for it, but only because they know her well enough at our local Post Office that they didn't need me to show up to get it.
As ttompatz said, if you want the Visa, you can get it after you come, but doubtful that you can get it done when your spouse is not present. We (my wife and I) had to go from immigration to an office where my wife had a legal document drawn up at the same time (the same day) we applied, verifying that she would be responsible if I broke any Korean laws or got into financial trouble. It is a great burden on the Korean spouse, so it makes sense that both parties should be present so it is clear about the responsibilities both share in receiving the F2-1 visa.
Now, you have the facts from someone who went through the process. |
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Chuggiya55
Joined: 19 May 2008
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 9:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Faunaki wrote: |
| Both have to go and the offices are not open on Saturday so you will have to go during the weekday. |
Thank you! |
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Chuggiya55
Joined: 19 May 2008
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 9:26 pm Post subject: Re: Plain and Simple |
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| tob55 wrote: |
The plain facts about the F2-1 is that the spouse IS the sponsor. It is a spousal residence visa which is the step in line with becoming your own visa holder in Korea which is the F5-9. The F2 requires that both parties are present at the time the application is made. The spouse may be able to pick it up, but I kind of doubt it since immigration directly told me I had to come back in 10 days after they processed my F2-1. When I received my F5-9 it was special delivered to me and my wife was able to sign for it, but only because they know her well enough at our local Post Office that they didn't need me to show up to get it.
As ttompatz said, if you want the Visa, you can get it after you come, but doubtful that you can get it done when your spouse is not present. We (my wife and I) had to go from immigration to an office where my wife had a legal document drawn up at the same time (the same day) we applied, verifying that she would be responsible if I broke any Korean laws or got into financial trouble. It is a great burden on the Korean spouse, so it makes sense that both parties should be present so it is clear about the responsibilities both share in receiving the F2-1 visa.
Now, you have the facts from someone who went through the process. |
Thank you so much for this comprehensive response! I'll have to print it for future reference. I wasn't even aware of this F5-9 visa you mentioned. It sounds like something I may want to look into after I get back to Korea. |
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kprrok
Joined: 06 Apr 2004
Location: KC
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| Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 11:59 pm Post subject: Re: Plain and Simple |
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| Chuggiya55 wrote: |
| Thank you so much for this comprehensive response! I'll have to print it for future reference. I wasn't even aware of this F5-9 visa you mentioned. It sounds like something I may want to look into after I get back to Korea. |
You can't even apply for the F-5-9 until you've been in Korea for 2 years on an F-2-1. It's not total time on the VISA, but time in Korea on the VISA. I left for about 10 days during my VISA period and had that added to the time until I can apply for the F-5. Honestly, the extra 10 days won't kill me. Just means I apply in July instead of June.
You have to get the F-2-1 first, and to get that, your wife must be present. She has to sign the forms and answer questions from the immi officer when you apply. No Korean spouse, no VISA.
I have heard that you can apply for the F-2 overseas and that might be something you should look into.
KPRROK |
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Chuggiya55
Joined: 19 May 2008
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 12:10 am Post subject: Re: Plain and Simple |
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| kprrok wrote: |
| Chuggiya55 wrote: |
| Thank you so much for this comprehensive response! I'll have to print it for future reference. I wasn't even aware of this F5-9 visa you mentioned. It sounds like something I may want to look into after I get back to Korea. |
You can't even apply for the F-5-9 until you've been in Korea for 2 years on an F-2-1. It's not total time on the VISA, but time in Korea on the VISA. I left for about 10 days during my VISA period and had that added to the time until I can apply for the F-5. Honestly, the extra 10 days won't kill me. Just means I apply in July instead of June.
You have to get the F-2-1 first, and to get that, your wife must be present. She has to sign the forms and answer questions from the immi officer when you apply. No Korean spouse, no VISA.
I have heard that you can apply for the F-2 overseas and that might be something you should look into.
KPRROK |
Thank you! I will. |
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Faunaki
Joined: 15 Jun 2007
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| Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 5:53 am Post subject: |
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| Hey I went in today and was told that one person can go in. I think it's confusing so here's the number you can call: 1345 press 3 for English. or go to www.immigration.go.kr or www.hikorea.go.kr |
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Chuggiya55
Joined: 19 May 2008
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 7:16 am Post subject: |
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| Faunaki wrote: |
| Hey I went in today and was told that one person can go in. I think it's confusing so here's the number you can call: 1345 press 3 for English. or go to www.immigration.go.kr or www.hikorea.go.kr |
Wow! thank you for the update! I just checked out one of the URL's you gave and it certainly looks like they're trying to make visa processing more streamlined. I'll be checking further...
Thanks again! |
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