Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mmstyle]

I've renewed one contract in Korea, but I was outside of Seoul, so the whole thing took 2 days. Now I am living in Seoul and my husband and I are leaving twice during the winter break, once for the last two weeks of our contract.

Can you leave Korea while you are having an E2 visa renewed? Last time I renewed, I was without my ARC for 2 days. But Seoul immi takes forever. Am I gonna be SOL if I try to do this too close to my travel dates?

Thanks for the info.
edited to add: every time I Have left and come back, they always look at my ARC card, but maybe the stamp in my passport is enough?

[tired of LA]

Do you mean extending your current visa for another year? When I extended and transfered my visa this year, it took ten minutes at immigration. I went in, gave them my paperwork, paid the fees and then was out the door. They didn't keep my passport or ARC card. All they did was write something on the back of my ARC and put in a re-entry stamp and change of workplace stamp. It doesn't take 2 days.

Also, just a reminder, that when you extend your visa, you will also need to get a rentry permit if you plan on leaving. Extending your visa doesn't extend your re-entry permit, even if you have a multiple entry visa.

[mmstyle]

I am renewing at the same place for another year. Will get another multiple entry visa/permit/stamp (have one now).

[mmstyle]

LA, I think you just answered my question. Sounds like what I did when I got an extension on my visa for 10 days. When I got my visa renewed for a second year of a contract, it was just that the school took it to immigration for us (so he probably just went home afterward-hence 2 days) as it could only be done while we were teaching.

Do you have to jump through all the same hoops again (medical tests and stuff?) We had a "checkup" when all the Korean staff did, I was never sure if it was part of the renewal process or just done because all of the rest of the staff were doing it too.

[tired of LA]

A medical isn't required if you already submitted on for your E-2 when you first got it. You don't need anything, just a new contract, business license from you school and money. At least thats all I can think of.