Korean Job Discussion Forums

dtown · Joined: 06 Jun 2008

So I had my EPIK interview in Chicago today. Besides getting locked into the stairwell and having to walk down 27 flights of stairs with high heels on only to find that ALL doors were locked and having to be let back into the building on the English consulate floor by some Indian women...it went really well.

However, they were very against me getting an F4 visa. The person interviewing me really didn't know anything about it, but his secretary did. I really got the feeling that she just didn't want me to get it because she didn't really know how to process all the stuff? Or maybe I'm taking crazy pills. The only reason she could come up with to dissuade me was that I would have to relinquish my Korean citizenship. Has anybody else had this problem? If I give up my Korean citizenship now will I not be able to get dual citizenship when/if it becomes legal? Is there honestly any good reason to get an E2 instead of an F4 visa?

cruisemonkey · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:05 pm Post subject:

Youir post makes no sense.

If you're a Korean citizen, you don't a visa (E-2, F-4 or otherwise) to work in K-land.

dtown · Joined: 06 Jun 2008

I was born in Korea and my name is in the family register which technically makes me a Korean citizen. When applying for an F4 visa they ask that you give up this citizenship, or so I'm told. I don't really mind doing this, but I don't want it to hinder my ability to get dual citizenship if it ever becomes available.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:03 pm Post subject:

Ok, you can't have your cake and eat it too...

What I fail to see is how Korean citizenship could possibly be considered 'icing' on the proverbial cake.

jvalmer · Joined: 06 Jun 2003

If you're female, I see no reason to try to use your Korean citizenship to your advantage to get a job in Korea. To get the F-4, you'll lose your Korean citizenship.

kprrok · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Location: KC

If your name is on the family register, you are a Korean citizen and entitled to a Korean passport. You don't need any VISA to enter Korea.

I'm assuming you have a US passport and are a US citizen? Dual citizenship is allowed sometimes, but I think you can only have it for up to 2 years before you have to choose one or the other.

More details would really help us help you.

KPRROK

dtown · Joined: 06 Jun 2008

The Chicago Consulate told me that in order to get the F4 visa I would have to give up my Korean citizenship so they suggested that I get the E2 visa instead. This is the part I don't really understand because from what I always understood it wasn't 'real' citizenship anyways, it was just my name in the family register. I have never had a Korean passport and don't have an ID. I've also been told that the Korean government is considering allowing dual citizenship. I don't want to take my name off the family register now and not be allowed dual citizenship if the government allows it in a few years. I had planned on teaching as many privates as possible and thought this was harder to do with an E2? I guess I really don't mind getting an E2 it just seemed like people on these boards thought the F4 was better somehow?

blackjack · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: anyang

are you male or female?

cruisemonkey · Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 1:26 am Post subject:

blackjack · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: anyang

crsandus · Joined: 05 Oct 2004

What they want you to fill out is the Nationality Renunciation paperwork which is a pain in the ass. The process is supposed to take 2-3 months (Mine took 6 weeks). The family registry paperwork changed in 2008 so make sure you have the correct registry documents and a bunch of other crap. I was under the impression the generally only males did this to get out of the Korean military duty (like me).

I'm not sure what your general situation is but overall the E2 is inferior to the F4. I know having Korean citizenship may be nice and all but the F4 grants you lots of freedom.

dtown · Joined: 06 Jun 2008

dtown · Joined: 06 Jun 2008

dazzed · Joined: 26 May 2007

What passport do you hold now?

If you hold US passport than you're US citizen meaning you can apply for F4 visa. If you hold Korean passport but considered US resident than you're still technically considered Korean. If you stay out of US more than a year, You'll lose your residency in the US, unless you get special permission from the gov't. You can get it easily at the immigration for that.

To get an F4 visa, you'll need to go to Korean embassy or consulate to apply. You'll need a family member or relative still residing in korea to sponsor you.

dtown · Joined: 06 Jun 2008