Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jjambonghead]

Ok, just got off the phone with the Korean Consulate and was told that I cannot get a F4 Visa because I was not put on my Family Registry (Ho Juk Deung Bon) after I was born in the United States.

Is this true?

My understanding was that ethnic Koreans with foreign nationalities could obtain the F4 Visa by showing proof of their parents renounced citizenship in Korea (birth certificates, parents passports, family register).

Am I stuck with getting an E-2 or anyway to get around this?

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

You are lucky you are not on your parents hoju! If you were, you'd end up serving 2 years and 2 months in the army like another gyopo discovered a month back.

[jjambonghead]

yeah, read the article about that. tough break.

well, I just called another consulate in the United States and they told me that if my Father became a U.S. Citizen before I was born, then I would be eligible for the F4 Visa, which is not the case because the Naturalization Office lost his original papers.

Oh well, guess I'll just go for the E2 Visa.

[CanKorea]

Hi, I have an F-4 and I was under the impression that it would've been easier if I HADN'T been on my father's ho juk. It made things alot more complicated.

What I needed to submit were my father's passport and citizenship papers. Also my passport and "large" birth certificate (meaning that it had my parents' names on it).

I also had long conversations with the consulate before I left (I'm from Canada) but it seems to be much easier to get an F-4 once you're in the country.

Hope some of this helps. If not, an E-2 isn't the end of the world or anything.

[Yaya]

[jjambonghead]

True, CanKorea, E-2 isn't the end of the world, but I would like the option of working at a 2nd hagwon or teaching privates available.

Did your father's passport and other doc's all have to be notarized? or did they accept photocopies?

Thanks for your help, (big shout out to Diane as well for helping me out with this issue =) )

[l'il kim]

According to a little blurb that appeared in the Korea Herald last month, the F4 is alive and well. The only change is that Russian and Chinese Koreans can now also get it, provided they work for a Korean-based company with revenues exceeding $500,000 a year.

In order to get the F4 processed, you need to have your documents notarized, either by an attorney or notary. If you can get this visa, GET IT, because it's a million times better than an E2. You won't be any hagwon's b*tch and can do as you please.

[Diane]

just to clear things up....all documents for an f4 visa do NOT have to be notarized. i was in seoul at the time of trying to get my visa and all my documents were back home in toronto. i got my bro to scan them and send them to me and it was fine.

[Diane]

just to clear things up....all documents for an f4 visa do NOT have to be notarized. i was in seoul at the time of trying to get my visa and all my documents were back home in toronto. i got my bro to scan them and send them to me and it was fine.

[CanKorea]

I've heard that an F-4 doesn't allow you to do privates legally. Apparently, it's never legal to teach privates.

Also, I should've checked this months ago but does an f-4 let you reenter? Is it multiple?

[l'il kim]

To clear a couple things up, the F4 DOES let you reenter the country at will - it's pretty much the equivalent of dual citizenship, except for voting and opening your own mobile phone account.

I personally had to have my documents notarized for the visa application, but then I was in Toronto at the time.

Oh, and apparently it never is legal to teach privates unless you pay tax on that income - however, as a superficial Korean, no one in the building, like the security guard ajasshi, will be the wiser. So don't sweat it.