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nyla54
Joined: 17 Jun 2009
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 Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 12:45 am Post subject: E-2 vs F-4 Visa |
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I am a Korean-American, and qualify for the F-4 visa, which is definitely something I prefer over the E-2 as it gives provides me with more flexibility for work and travel.
Since I am in a huge hurry to get my documents in before my SMOE orientation, my recruiter recommended that I get my E-2 visa and switch to the F-4 once I'm in Korea. They said obtaining an E-2 is much quicker than a F-4.
Is it possible to switch visas once in Korea? Would you recommend this as well? |
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SFValley
Joined: 18 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:04 am Post subject: Re: E-2 vs F-4 Visa |
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| nyla54 wrote: |
I am a Korean-American, and qualify for the F-4 visa, which is definitely something I prefer over the E-2 as it gives provides me with more flexibility for work and travel.
Since I am in a huge hurry to get my documents in before my SMOE orientation, my recruiter recommended that I get my E-2 visa and switch to the F-4 once I'm in Korea. They said obtaining an E-2 is much quicker than a F-4.
Is it possible to switch visas once in Korea? Would you recommend this as well? |
I found obtaining an F4 infinitely quicker, easier and CHEAPER! The only document you need is a family registry pretty much and the application fee here in the States is $45.00. Compare that to having to get a CRC, getting that apostilled, etc. It just takes a couple of trips to your nearest Korean consulate.
I don't know about switching it. I know you can enter the country without a visa (I suppose that depends on which country you're coming from) and can obtain one there directly.
My recruiter tried to get me to do the E2 route but it was too much of a hassle for me personally compared to getting the F4. Also, you're able to have more vocationally opportunities with an F4 since you'd be tutoring privates (if that's something you want to do) legally. |
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nyla54
Joined: 17 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:11 am Post subject: Re: E-2 vs F-4 Visa |
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| SFValley wrote: |
| nyla54 wrote: |
I am a Korean-American, and qualify for the F-4 visa, which is definitely something I prefer over the E-2 as it gives provides me with more flexibility for work and travel.
Since I am in a huge hurry to get my documents in before my SMOE orientation, my recruiter recommended that I get my E-2 visa and switch to the F-4 once I'm in Korea. They said obtaining an E-2 is much quicker than a F-4.
Is it possible to switch visas once in Korea? Would you recommend this as well? |
I found obtaining an F4 infinitely quicker, easier and CHEAPER! The only document you need is a family registry pretty much and the application fee here in the States is $45.00. Compare that to having to get a CRC, getting that apostilled, etc. It just takes a couple of trips to your nearest Korean consulate.
I don't know about switching it. I know you can enter the country without a visa (I suppose that depends on which country you're coming from) and can obtain one there directly.
My recruiter tried to get me to do the E2 route but it was too much of a hassle for me personally compared to getting the F4. Also, you're able to have more vocationally opportunities with an F4 since you'd be tutoring privates (if that's something you want to do) legally. |
May I ask where you are working? Is it public or private?
Also, how long did it take to get the F-4? |
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RobLeeTeach
Joined: 20 May 2009
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:18 am Post subject: |
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| SFValley wrote: |
I found obtaining an F4 infinitely quicker, easier and CHEAPER! The only document you need is a family registry pretty much and the application fee here in the States is $45.00. Compare that to having to get a CRC, getting that apostilled, etc. It just takes a couple of trips to your nearest Korean consulate.
I don't know about switching it. I know you can enter the country without a visa (I suppose that depends on which country you're coming from) and can obtain one there directly.
My recruiter tried to get me to do the E2 route but it was too much of a hassle for me personally compared to getting the F4. Also, you're able to have more vocationally opportunities with an F4 since you'd be tutoring privates (if that's something you want to do) legally. |
You can switch from E-2 to F-4 when you get to Korea. My father and I talked to the consulate directly in Los Angeles.
Getting the F-4 visa was a pain in the ass for me while in the states. I was lucky to have my Uncle get my registry paperwork in Seoul sent to me.
I got my F-4 visa, but still had to do all the CRC and Apostilled documents regardless.
Before getting your F-4 visa IN Korea, make sure you're not obligated to serve in the military. Lucky again, for having my Uncle in Seoul to help me get my name off the registry otherwise I would have to serve if I tried to get my F-4. |
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RobLeeTeach
Joined: 20 May 2009
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:20 am Post subject: |
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| At the end of the day, after all the paperwork was in order, the F4 visa took me a day. Had to leave my passport at the consulate. Picked it up the next day. |
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SFValley
Joined: 18 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:46 am Post subject: |
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| RobLeeTeach wrote: |
| At the end of the day, after all the paperwork was in order, the F4 visa took me a day. Had to leave my passport at the consulate. Picked it up the next day. |
Same. Went to the consulate in LA in the morning and there was no line. Turned in application, documents and $45.00 US. Took all of 5-7 minutes and then returned the next day to pick up my passport with the visa on it.
I'll be at a Public School. |
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Johnwayne
Joined: 28 Jun 2007
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 6:21 am Post subject: Re: E-2 vs F-4 Visa |
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| SFValley wrote: |
| [\ Also, you're able to have more vocationally opportunities with an F4 since you'd be tutoring privates (if that's something you want to do) legally. |
Actually it is still illegal. It just falls under the realm of tax evasion rather than immigration violation.
To the OP: Your recruiter is lying. Getting an F4 is way easier than getting an E2. |
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djbeans
Joined: 15 Jul 2009
Location: US
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 7:14 am Post subject: |
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| RobLeeTeach wrote: |
You can switch from E-2 to F-4 when you get to Korea. My father and I talked to the consulate directly in Los Angeles.
Getting the F-4 visa was a pain in the ass for me while in the states. I was lucky to have my Uncle get my registry paperwork in Seoul sent to me.
I got my F-4 visa, but still had to do all the CRC and Apostilled documents regardless.
Before getting your F-4 visa IN Korea, make sure you're not obligated to serve in the military. Lucky again, for having my Uncle in Seoul to help me get my name off the registry otherwise I would have to serve if I tried to get my F-4. |
Thanks for the info! My dad and I were trying to figure out if I could switch from an E-2 to an F-4 once I get to Korea, and the San Francisco consulate didn't really know the answer. By the way...do you know how long it took your Uncle to get the family registry? Trying to see if my cousin can help us out to get my dad's family regsitry... |
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t1m1ty
Joined: 24 May 2009
Location: Bundang
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 1:46 pm Post subject: |
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| Are we allowed to get F4 visas instead of E2 visas if were going to Korea with SMOE? I was told only I am supposed to get the E2 |
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nyla54
Joined: 17 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 1:52 pm Post subject: |
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| t1m1ty wrote: |
| Are we allowed to get F4 visas instead of E2 visas if were going to Korea with SMOE? I was told only I am supposed to get the E2 |
According to the other posts and my recruiter, you can get the F-4 visa while working under SMOE. |
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