Korean Job Discussion Forums

[relaxed111]

Hi,

I have been trying to get my tourist visa to Ghana, as I am arriving there on Aug 6th. Or am I?

Okay, first of all I am a Canadian and have been working here 3 years, and I am coming back for a fourth year.

There is a application form at the Ghana Embassy website in Seoul. http://www.ghanaembassy.or.kr/

Download the application form, now this form has to be filled out in capital block letters. Oh, on the form you have to have two references from Ghana residence, one can be your hotel, another has to be a person. There is no answer to how can you do this, if you have never been there before, so how can you know someone there?

Around that problem, don't ask.

Now you need with these four copies (yes four copies), the following four passport photos, a certificate of deposit from your bank here in Korea (have to have over $5,000 US in your account). An international vaccination certificate for yellow fever (can get at Incheon Airport, low cost, but have to have at least 10 days before you leave for it to be effective). A copy of your flight scheduale cost is about 2,200,000 won for the ticket.

All done, sent it to them by courier, oops!!! You have to go in person! Not on their website.

Okay, I went last Friday when I get there in the morning, guess what? They only do visas on Mondays and Tuesdays. Oh, not on their website or even their times of business during the week. But, now I have to also have a photo copy of my alien registration card, and a letter of employment from my school (not on their website).

Okay, I get these two more documents and add to the pile. Now, a total of 8 pages for each of the 4 sets of the visa application. I take this to them yesterday, on Tuesday. Oops, now they want me to have 6 blank pages in my passport before they will accept my application.

So they tell me, go to my embassy and get pages added to my passport. So I do this yesterday. Oops, my wonderful government has stopped doing this two years ago, if I want new pages I have to get a new passport!! Even if I had the information for this and could do it at that moment, it takes 15 days to get, and get a Ghana visa, and a new Korean stamp for my passport.

So I call the receptionist at the Ghana Embassy she asks the guy, he says no he will not issue a tourist visa.

Am I happy...no. So last night I call the Ghana High Commission in Ottawa, there is no such rule about 6 blank pages in the passport, but they can not help me unless I send my passport to Canada, then it is sent to them, get the visa, send it to the Canadian address, then sent to me.

Next last night I call Accra, the foreign affairs department tells me no such rule. They tell me to get my hotel to make me a visitor visa for my arrival at the airport.

Hum...sounds interesting, but I do need something to make sure that they will let me on my flight here in Korea. Will call again to find out more to Accra tonight,

I did call the Ghana Emgassy here this morning, they know nothing of this visa for the hotel to use, or guess what? They will not change their mind.

^&*(%&*($8

[Tiger Beer]

Well...why Ghana? There are so many other African countries out there. I suppose you must have very specific reasons...but.

Anyways, that is a mess. Keep us informed on how it goes!

[R-Seoul]

OP, have you considered Jeju island? I hear it's lovely in August.

[Stormy]

[sojourner1]

What wankers. I would pass and go someplace with more a reasonable diplomatic mission as they are not about diplomacy; they're as corrupt as you can get. You might get kidnapped and never make it home if you did make it into their country. Africa is notorious for foreigner abductions and murders. Avoid those kinds of countries in central Africa who are corrupt, insanely bureaucratic, and even hostile. They'd probably find a reason to say you broke this law and that law as to not allow you free passage out of their country when you wanted to go home. They might let you go after taking all your belongings and draining any bank accounts with the cards you are carrying. Scams run rampant over there. It's a set up to get your US $! Don't do it nor go!

You need 6 blank pages in the passport? Last time I checked, it only requires one for a visa and then you can have extra pages added at US embassies.

[relaxed111]

You are right, I am going to check about this hotel business tonight for a visa. If not, already checked about Kenya, spoke with them, no problems.

One page form, done, two photos done, copy of flight to Kenya, getting that going tomorrow.

But, it is sad for me as I had heard that people were nice there, and some great beaches. But, I can scuba for sure in Kenya.

Sorry, I just had to let off some steam about their lack style.

[crazy tigger]

Look at Uganda and Tanzania, especially Zanzibar! PM me if you want more info

[Stormy]

[crazy tigger]

Is the only reason I went....

[relaxed111]

Cancelled the tickets (you have to have them to get the visa) I think now about 400,000 roughly in cancel fees. ^*&(^)%^$&$

Did get the tickets to Kenya today, and will get visa next week. Called them, no problems, but you do have to go yourself to their location with the one page visa application.

Ghana I hear your name on my (*)^%$%&^$&

[Fishead soup]

[VirginIslander]

I lived with a woman from Ghana for a year. There were lots of people from Ghana at my university because my political science professor brought them over to study. Also, I lived with two women from Kenya at the same time, kind of like a UN house with the another Nepali girl and a bunch of Indian graduate students.

I, too, would really like to go to Ghana and had the chance in university, but, didnt have the money. From my understanding, Ghana is much, much safer than Kenya, but its been five years since we all lived together.

[travel zen]

I've got friends from Ghana and it IS worth seeing. One of the best countries in Africa and hella safe with most amenities in the city.

The women have killer curves and much beauty. It's one of my destinations to go.

[relaxed111]

[Konglishman]