Korean Job Discussion Forums

james_baldrey · Joined: 09 Dec 2004

I have to get to korea next week for my new job, but i am waiting for my immigration certificate before i take it to the korean embassy in london. The problem is that i need to get the visa in 1 day!! Is that possible? I really need to take it on monday and collect it on monday. Is this conceivable or do i need a miracle?

Any advice from experience would be most welcome!!

Cheer from a worried man!

kelly · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

You should have no problem doing it in one day, I did it in Dublin in one day, and again in Japan, you'll be fine get there as early as possible in the morning and you should be good.

keithinkorea · Joined: 17 Mar 2004

Not true Kelly.

In London at the Buckingham Gate place it officially takes 5 working days! The first time I went there they did it in a few hours as it was an 'emergency' and I asked them nicely in poor Korean to do it quick as my boss to bes business would fail without me getting their. The second time they said it would take ages and after my soon to be boss called them they did it in two. My first job I had to do the Japan visa run thing which was great as they flew me to Osaka business class! I love Champagne!

On my second trip to Buckingham gate I phoned them before and they said 'No WAY. It takes 5 working days' my current employer sent the 'blue letter' straight to them they got it on Monday and I got a call Tuesday telling me to come and get my Passport stamped. With Korean embassy visa things you never know. Be safe!

Get your future boss to call them and it can makes things happen a load quicker than the standard 5 day bs.Why the official line is 5 working days I don't know but it has never taken me that long. Be careful though as the official line is '5 working days'.

stalinsdad · Joined: 25 Jan 2003 Location: Jeonju

The previous person is correct with taking 5 days!!!!

I returned to the UK last March and had to get one.
They took my passport and I missed my romantic weekend in Paris.

At that point I screamed my head off.

It's bad enough dealing with crap immigration workers here in Korea without dealing with a jumped up tea girl back in blighty!!!

Good luck, you'll need it.

sid · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Location: Berkshire, England

Last time I went to the Embassy the young lady working there was extremely unhappy about being asked to produce a visa in four days. So you are right to be worried!

kelly · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

wow, five days thats ridiculous!Sorry for my mistake, I just figured that there couldn't be anywhere else that would be as slow as Ireland at doing something!! Wink

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

5 days???? It only took a day for me! Mine was an E-7 though and had a letter of invitation from the Ministry of Information. It was all written in korean. I wonder if there were some instructions there to tell them to process it in a day?!

Bunnymonster · Joined: 16 Mar 2004 Location: Tokyo

The Korean embassy in London were nothing but unhelpful in all of my dealings with them............

james_baldrey · Joined: 09 Dec 2004

Does anyone know what i need to take to the embassy? I am going tomorrow morning and i have some passport photos, a passport, a letter from the Immigration people in Korea and the money. Do i need anything else? Also, how much is it?

Thanks for the help guys!!

Toby · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Location: Wedded Bliss

Neil · Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Location: Tokyo

It's been a while since I got mine but I remember they wanted the fee to be paid in postal orders instead of cash, so you might want to bring some of those just in case.

Veronica · Joined: 29 Aug 2005

From experience, make sure you leave as long as possible, because they really aren't out to help you at all. The woman the other side of the hallway was very nice when we asked her about Korean restaurants though.

expat_boy · Joined: 13 Jan 2009

Im going to London with my visa issuance number to get the E2 next week,. Has anyone done it recently? any tips or advice or estimates on the time required as i am gong to be flying to Korea that evening!!!

creeper1 · Joined: 30 Jan 2007

So the exodus of people from recession/depression infested Britain has begun!

5 working days no doubt about it so it will take a week to get your visa.

I posted (by Royal Mail special delivery) my contract, payment, photocopy of basic disclosure and GEPIK invitational letter(maybe you've got a visa issuance number) all to the embassy. I then instructed them to hang on to passport until I picked it up a week later.

Call her up! She takes calls and speaks English! Hear what you need from the horse's mouth so to speak.

I agree with other posters that she won't be happy about being asked to hurry up with the application. Maybe you and your boss should exercise some patiance.

expat_boy · Joined: 13 Jan 2009

i was under the impression i could hand my documents in in the morning and collect teh visa in the afternoon. i did this for my visa a few years ago. if you go in person cant they do it faster?