Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rayjoy]

All right, it appears I need to make the 8 hour trek to Chicago in the next week or so for this 5 minute interview everyone is raving about. What exactly do I bring?

The consulate website is terrible! Literally, the font all runs together (tried it on two computers) and also, it insists that we still need form 129, which people seem to be debunking as unnecessary.

SO... if you have actually gone to the Chicago consulate for an interview, what did you bring for paperwork? How many passport photos (I've seen suggestions for 2 or 3)? Was it your original diploma? Do they take checks for $45? Credit cards? What items need actual notarizations and Apostilles?

If you haven't actually gone to the CHICAGO consulate, please refrain from "helping." I've looked at enough websites to realize each consulate is different and I'd love to hear from someone who actually went to Chicago and not someone just repeating what this site or that site says.

Please/Thanks!

(oh yes and calling also seems to be non-informative. Every question we asked was answered "What is your confirmation number?")

[Ut videam]

Went to the Chicago consulate back in February.

Besides my passport (duh) and my visa application, they also wanted a sealed set of transcripts and the "Consul's Checklist for E-2 Applicant" form (though, like the visa application itself, they'll have blank copies of that form available at the consulate). 2 passport photos if I recall correctly. Paid the visa fee by postal money order (I don't think they take credit cards or personal checks).

Original diploma was still in Korea, so obviously didn't need that. I had an extra apostilled copy of my background check (don't ask), but they didn't need that either.

[rayjoy]

I just got off the phone with a more helpful consulate employee.

She said since I am with EPIK I don't need to interview in person (seriously???).

She said to just mail the following:
passport
passport photos
visa application
contracts
notice of appointment
$45
and either a COPY of my transcripts or a COPY of my diploma

She said definitely no background check and no original diploma.

No visa issuance number required.

So since I'm not expected to leave for ROK til August 20th, I'm going to chance mailing these things out and if it fails I will head down when I can.

I'd still like to hear others' experiences. I'm pretty weary that they said I don't need to come in person when just about everyone else seemed to need to.

[dtown]

I asked the lady repeatedly if I needed to bring anything to the interview. She said 'no'. I brought shit anyways and it turned out I needed it.

Bring everything on the list of documents on the website. If you don't have something with you, just mail it to them later.