Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Toon Army]

has anyone applied for the F4 visa IN Korea? How long does the process normally take?

[suki]

For ethnic Koreans applying for F4's I have recently documented my process here:

http://gyopo.wordpress.com/

Was a piece of cake - as long as you come prepared with all your documents ready. Still have to update the download links for the forms, though (sorry) Had my Visa in 3 days. Also, no transcript is required. That's between you and your employer.

This is geared towards adoptees like myself, however. If you want the F4, it is my understanding it is best to renounce your citizenship no matter what. Too often it turns out if you have U.S. citizenship, you may still have Korean citizenship and not know it.

Ethnic Koreans will be eligible for dual citizenship soon. It was just announced last week that this will be going before the National Assembly in 2009. Military service will still be required for males, but we don't know yet in what capacity - I know the adoptees have been fighting against having to serve as regular army troops and are in favor of support positions.

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2899210

The assumption is that all those F4's who were forced to renounce their citizenship will be allowed to participate in the dual citizenship application...Because the F4 was so generous, the only benefit I can see to the dual citizenship is the ability to accrue retirement benefits, the ability to vote, and being able to obtain a Korean passport.

[Toon Army]

I think you applied for your F4 in the US right (or I maybe misread)? I`m after info about applying in Korea specifically.

Just need to know how long it takes Korean immigration to do this....and if you need to go to any specific office in Seoul (or will any do)?

[suki]

I was just replying to the F4 issue in general, and sharing the latest about dual citizenship. I did apply in the U.S. and have zero idea how the process works in Korea.

My luck I would have forgotten to bring some document with me and then would be screwed. Why wait? Sure did make my employment documents easier.

[suki]

G.O.A.L. Korea's website has this post about obtaining a first time F-4 Visa.

http://www.goal.or.kr/eng/?slms=room&lsms=1&sl=6&ls=1

These instructions are for obtaining it from IN KOREA, but are complicated by the additional documents required of adoptees, so take that into account.
It was last updated March of last year, and it says it takes 2-4 days to process.

[sh917]

I'm trying to get an F4 visa as well but I can't get hold of my family registry in Korea. The person from the Korean embassy told me that I can bring in my birth certificate with a letter from a lawyer stating in Korean that I am the daughter of *insert parents names' in Korean here* and have the lawyer sign it.

I haven't done this yet but I was wondering if anyone else had to go through this process. I'm still trying to find an attorney who can do this for me.

[suki]

Have you asked your parents for all of your adoption paperwork?

I ask because I didn't know I had my Hojuk - even when I went and asked for my paperwork from the adoption agency. My parents had all the original papers my entire life and I never knew it. I didn't get them until they died, and I am sure they had no idea what a Hojuk was either. So there it was in my possession all along.

Have you asked the adoption agency?

The adoption agency did have a copy of the Hojuk, and they had it notorized and sent to me. Them keeping a copy is standard practice.

[sh917]

oh, I wasn't adopted..but there is no one in Korea who can get my family's registry for me so I didn't know what to do in that case.

[suki]

If you are on the registry, you are not adopted, and you are in Korea, then you should be able to obtain a copy of your family registry yourself.

If your family doesn't have an official copy, then I would ask them what city the registry is held, so you can find out how to obtain a copy. Maybe it might require an in person trip?

Are you male or female? You do realize (at present) you must relinquish your Korean citizenship to obtain the F4, and to not do so and stay living in Korea means fulfilling your armed services duty if male...

kind of freaky proposition for someone foreign raised.

[sh917]

hey suki! thanks for your help!

I'm a female and I'm still in the U.S. right now. I live in Virginia so I've been going back and forth to the Korean embassy in D.C. It's quite frustrating because although I'm Korean I'm not very good at speaking Korean so there's been a couple of misunderstandings and such.

I assume it would be easier if I just applied for the F4 visa once I get to Korea, that way I can request the necessary documents myself, but I'm told that since I'm going to Korea with a one-way plane ticket I need to have a visa before I leave the U.S.

Do you know if I there's any way around this issue?

[suki]

I'd probably just enter on an E-2 and then try for my F-4 before my contract was up.

But that's just me, as I don't know of a way around the Hojuk thing.

[ueo119]

[nyla54]

Does anyone know what documents are needed AFTER ARRIVING IN KOREA for those teaching English in a public school with a F-4 visa?

Is there anything else besides the ARC? I heard you had to get a health exam and submit a form; however, I heard all English teachers have to do this, F-4 visa or not.

[suki]

Of course you want to apply for your F-4 Visa before your E-2 has expired. But do it as late as possible, because the F-4 must be renewed every 2 years, and you don't want to waste Visa time. And, you do not have to get this OK'd with your employer, because that's the beauty of the F-4. It is totally independent of employers.

All English teachers have to take a health exam to make sure you aren't some heroin addict and that you are fit enough, etc.

You will have to apply for your ARC, like everyone else. I can't remember what's required for that - I guess google it. You should have in your possession everything you need- all your originals, right? Just do the research and make copies.

I do know you need several little 3x4 cm passport photos of yourself. You'll need these from time to time, so get quite a few and keep them handy. There are photo booths in some of the subways for this.

[reveuse261]

do the copies of the naturalization papers, adoption certificates, etc. need to be notarized copies? or are regular copies ok?