Korean Job Discussion Forums

E_athlete · Joined: 09 Jun 2009 Location: Korea sparkling

i just got my notice of appointment and contract. Contract says my employment starts on July 1st which is in 8 days. I have yet to go to my Korean consulate general to hand in my Visa application personally. Even if I do that tomorrow morning it will be June 29th or 30th when I get my visa. If I book in advance before my visa is done there is a danger that my visa wont be ready. Ideally I will have to wait until June 29th or 30th (or whenever the visa is ready) to book my flight to Korea.

What's the best way to handle this? It's obvious I need to wait for my visa then book a flight but where? I really don't want to spend more than 1200 CAD. I'm looking for the cheapest flights but I'm unsure if I should get a travel agent or just get online tickets (saves me $100 or a lot more). Can anyone recommend a good online website for tickets? My situation is desperate but I don't want to be scammed for flight tickets.

No, it's not a hagwon (if you were wondering).

tjmauermann · Joined: 21 Jan 2009 Location: Bundang

I went to the Korean Consulate paid my $45 and then was told to return the next day after 4. I walked in after 3pm and walked out a few minutes later with my E2 visa. Shouldn't be a hassle as long as you have all the paperwork.

E_athlete · Joined: 09 Jun 2009 Location: Korea sparkling

that's pretty unheard of where I come from, 5 days is the earliest. I'm actually going to tell them my situation but I doubt I'll get the visa the next day. Five business days is really all I'm hoping for. We'll see..

panchotino · Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Location: scotland for now.

same thing happened to me two years ago. i just kept the school informed of the issue and asked them to call the consulate to ask them to hurry things along. of course, they did no such thing but i let them know the problem was out of my hands.
flight wise, i called up and reserved one. they will hold it for 24 hours. then, call back and reserve it again and then finally pay for it.
also, i found going to the airlines direct the best bet. you should be getting it refunded anyways.

Chambertin · Joined: 07 Jun 2009 Location: Gunsan

The Korean Air website seems to have quite fair prices.

My suggestion is to go through a foreign travel agency.
For example, when I went to Japan I used IACE, I paid at least 400 USD less than my students even after I suggested they use this agency multiple times. ( me 800, next 1200, max 1950 )

If you have a local college with international students just check the fliers in teh ESL department, should be plenty of companies offering very cheap flights.

Havent botherd to look as my ticket is sent to me, or I would name them for you.

PatrickBateman · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:36 pm Post subject:

I told my consulate I needed it the same day. It took about 4 hours for the whole process.

Tobias · Joined: 02 Jun 2008

nyenglish · Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Location: the small peninsula

You worried about the flight reimbursement? I had the same situation and I arrived 10 days later than my contract date. I just got an email guarantee from them before I purchased my flight. "Email if this price it going to be okay, and I'll buy it."

If you're worried about the contract date, it is a little bit of a hassle, but you just change the dates upon arrival.

JAL was pretty cheap too...I went to Orbitz for a search, and then directly to the JAL site and saved the Orbitz fee.

kabrams · Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Location: your Dad's house

billietea · Joined: 03 May 2009 Location: South Korea

I got my visa with same day service. They will ask you on your application when you intend to start working in Korea...they will see a date really close to the day you are applying for the visa...they will want to get it done fast. Ask nicely if they can do it while you wait or while you go get some lunch. It worked for me. Everything is fluid in Korea. Don't worry about when you get here...just stay in contact with everyone, let them know what you are doing and get an email reply with their approval before you buy a ticket. Note that I didn't buy my ticket. Instead I had the recruiter do that and then the school paid the recruiter back. It is in your best interest to find a cheap ticket in case you don't like it in Korea and leave before your six months is up. If you leave before 6 months, most contracts have you paying back your airline ticket money. Good luck, it will all work out.