Korean Job Discussion Forums

Leafs42084 · Joined: 31 May 2009

Hi everyone, hope someone has the answers to my questions

the whole different types of visas had me a little confused.

I know that for the majority of the people here, they would get the regular E2 visa, but mine is about the other types.

My nationality is Canadian, but my ethnicity is Korea. My mother and father are both korean. My mother resides in Canada, and my father in Korea. I was born and raised in Canada

I think under these conditions, I would be considered a gyopo, something I learned on this board recently. Would this qualify me for an F4 visa? But I should note that when I teach in korea, I will not be residing with my father.

I think based on the info, I would qualify for an F4, but I remember reading somewhere that its for those residing with family in korea or something. Am I misinformed about something?

do I apply for the F4 in my hometown? or do I do that in Korea after getting my E2 here. Also, is the wait time for both visa's the same? It seems like more of a hassle than the E2, are the benefits that great to go for the F4? I plan to only go to korea for 12 months to teach and thats it, back home after that

any help is greatly appreciated.

On a side note: I noticed that for a lot of job postings, it asks for nationality. Have they gotten nationality and ethnicity confused? cause I heard they prefer non asians, and figuring out your nationality doesnt really mean much. Saying youre Canadian could be one of a million backgrounds lol

thanks for the help!

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

polonius · Joined: 05 Jun 2004

A friend of mine has an F4 visa. His father is an American, always was. He met his wife in Korea when he was in the Airforce in the 70's. My friend's mother returned to the US in the early 70's and became an American citizen, and gave up her Korean citizenship. So, anyone whose parents were once Korean, but are now citizens of another country can still receive an F4.

Don't know if you can apply for your Visa in Toronto. (I assume Toronto because of your handle)

Leafs42084 · Joined: 31 May 2009

ahsieee · Joined: 03 Mar 2009 Location: Yongin, South Korea

It depends on what year you were born. I believe it's 98 that you can use your mother's information.
If you were born before that, you have to use your father's info, but I'm sure your father has to be a citizen of another country...
This site is has more information
http://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/InfoDetailR_en.pt

If you're in Korea, you can also call 1345- they speak English and they can answer all your questions.
If you have family here that can obtain a 호적 for you, such as your father, you can apply for this visa outside of Korea.
I'm on F4 and it's really simple to do it in Korea.
Check with your father to see if you're on the family registry- that's what the호적 is. If your name is on there, you don't need to have other documents. If your name isn't on it, then you'll need to provide documents to show that you are your father's child, like a birth certificate.

As for wait time on the F4, it's about a week. It took me a week to get mine after I submitted my documents. For the E2, it depends on how fast you get your paperwork to your employer. It should be within a week or two after you send it to them.. but it also depends on how fast your employer applies for it.

If you plan on being in Korea for only 12 months, you don't have to bother with the F4. Basically the F4 allows you to tutor legally without declaring it on your ARC, which you'll get once you get here (Korea). You're basically treated as a "Korean" person- get benefits, such as being able to get a nice touchscreen phone without having to pay $500 up front... small things.

If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me.