Korean Job Discussion Forums

[pianowill]

My recruiter has just e-mailed me a visa number. She asked me to bring it to the nearest Consulate to get a work visa. Is a Consulate the same place I took my background check and notarized degree? As in...my state capitol?

This site only lists 11 cities in the U.S. with Consulates - http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/government/embassies/south_korea.htm#�Embassies and Consulates

Do I have to go to one of these cities? I'm far from all.

[Chambertin]

Yes.

If you work for a private school you must go in person. Sucks for many.
If you have an official notice of appointment from a public school then you can mail in the documents per the instructions on the consulate website.
(edit: if you have the confrimation number then you dont work public, that info is for others who may read this later.)

TIP: Do not just go to the closest one. It is possible that the closest one is not your regional consulate and they could be having a bad day and tell you to go to the one for your region. Your choice.

A consulate is like a branch office to the Embassy.
The president of the company is in the headquarters like the Ambassador in the Embassy, but there are many regional offices and satellite branches for that company, like there are consulates for the Embassy.

[polonius]

I am gathering that you live in Kansas. If that is the case, then you need to go to the consulate in Chicago. Last I heard, they weren't doing webcam interviews. However, that could have changed. I know that some consulates do permit webcam interviews. Best to call that consulate to find out their specifics.

[smoggy]

The Los Angeles Consulate will do phone interviews. They requested that I keep my cell phone on so they could contact me anytime.

[pianowill]

The nearest Consulate (Chicago) says this on their website:

(i) If you have a the Confirmation of Visa Issuance Number
1) Valid passport and 1 copy of its personal data page
2) Completed visa application (with confirmation of visa issuance number from Korean Ministry of Justice)
3) A passport picture (2x2, color) attached to application
4) Visa Fee : $45
* Money order only
- pay to : Korean Consulate General
- Cash accepted in person
5) Self-addressed, pre-paid envelope for return of the passport by mail
6) visa interview is required completed form (Consuls check list)
* need to make an appointment for an interview and it takes 2-3 business days to complete the process of a visa application after the interview

(ii) For EPIK applicant
1) Valid Passport and 1 copy of its personal data page
2) Completed visa application
3) A passport picture (2x2, color) attached to application
4) Visa Fee : $45
* Money order only
- pay to : Korean Consulate General
- Cash accepted in person
5) Notice of Appointment
6) Employment Contract
7) Self-addressed, pre-paid envelope for return of the passport by mail
* Visa interview is waved for EPIK applicants

The contract I submitted says this at the top, "2009 CONTRACT FOR GYEONGGI ENGLISH PROGRAM IN KOREA (GEPIK) "

Does that mean I am an EPIK applicant? So if I also have Confirmation of Visa Issuance Number, which category am I in? Do I need to do the interview? This woman on the phone at the Chicago Consulate said I didn't.

Later on the page, it says, "Regardless of visa status, the following two documents are needed.
1) Valid Passport
2) Completed Visa Application form with one photo attached"

Then it lists the E-2 requirements:
"Certificate of academic degree
Employment contract
Document regarding establishment of school or organization
Letter of personal reference notarized
Criminal Record (Attached Apostille)
Applicants Health Statement
Transcript Certified"

So which list do I follow? Do I include everything from all three lists?

[the oak llama]

I would get somebody from the consulate on the phone to answer these questions for you. You are in the GEPIK program, which is different from EPIK, but they may treat you similarly.

On the consulate's website, it will tell you which states are in its jurisdiction. Make sure the consulate you are talking to is the right one. For instance, I'm from PA. I had to go through the NY consulate because the NY consulate handles PA, NJ, NY.

http://www.asia-pacific-connections.com/korean_diplomatic_offices.html

^looks like Chicago is the right consulate for you.

Tell them you are in the GEPIK program and you have your visa number and ask them:

1. Do I need to interview in person?

If NO then you can send your application, docs, passport, money order in the mail and have them mail your stuff back to you.

2. What documents do I need to send you to get my visa?

I say this because my consulate's website neglected to mention that I needed to include a copy of my diploma and a transcript with my application and passport.

Go by what a human being tells you over the phone. All consulates are different and their website might not be completely correct.

Also, I would recommend just paying the 25 dollars (max) it would cost you for 2 day air UPS there and back just to make sure you get your visa in your hand as quick as possible.

Good luck.

[romano812]

I made the school route my Korea flight with a layover in a city with a consulate. I told them my interview and visa would have to be issued at that time and I would catch the connecting flight to Korea. There was no problem. 8 hour layover, had my interview, got my visa and headed on over.

[pianowill]

I'll keep trying to get a human on the phone, but it's been difficult. The first time I called, I got to a person very quickly. They told me to go to the website for the information I wanted. I went to the website and there's all sorts of conflicting information. So I called back, was on hold for 15 minutes, finally talked to a person who "transferred" me. I was on hold for another 5 minutes until I was connected to a voicemail. I left a message and they never called back. *sigh*

[dragon777]

Embassy=1 highest
High commission=2nd highest
Consulate=3rd highest
Honoury consulate=4th highest

plus the rest...of the b/s....