Korean Job Discussion Forums

Zyzyfer · Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 2:02 am Post subject: How Long After Visa Expiration...

do you have to get the heck outta Dodge?

My visa expires on February 24th, but my boss is telling me that I can't collect on pension until after my contract finishes, which is ironically on the 25th. There's no problem with me working beyond my time, since I'm on vacation, but it'd be a hell of a lot more convenient for me to clear out my stuff here in Korea if I could stay on a bit longer. I've heard that you get a bit of time after your visa expires to get yourself in gear and go, but I keep getting conflicting stories. I've already got one little black mark from an incident last year, and I don't want to burn any bridges on the way out, but there's essentially no way I can leave by the 24th.

Do I have a grace period to pack and go, or should I be heading to the immigration office to settle up with them folks on a one-month visa?

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

I've heard 2 weeks is the grace period before they start piling on the fines. Not sure though.....

Skippy · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Daejeon

Get your ass to the Immigration department and ask for an extension. Just ask for a couple of days - maybe a week or two. They should give it to you no problem. All you have to do is give just cause. "Sorry Man I'd like to leave but my plane leaves two days after the visa ends". If you get your ARC extended. You can not work during that time.

Ghostinthemachine · Joined: 22 Jun 2003

Skippy is right...if you stay as much as one day past your visa without getting a prior extension you will be fined 100,000 won and it goes up from there. It happened to a teacher working with me who was one day over... Bring proof that you will be leaving by a certain date (a plane ticket would be ideal but I used a fax from the travel agency).

Do not let them know if you are working during the extension period!

Zyzyfer · Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 4:57 pm Post subject:

I went to the visa office the other day and got a 10-day extension, no charge. There's definitely not a grace period for overstaying one's visa.

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

I'm quite sure he is correct. I have even heard of someone getting a warning from immigration for leaving on the same day the visa expires. They expect you out before that date.

Yesterday · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 12:31 am Post subject: Definately do it IMMEDIATELY

My last visa expired on 2004-02-26 - I went to Seoul Immigration on 2004-02-16 and by 2004-02-24 I had my NEW certificate issued for another year teaching.

I then tried to exit Incheon airport on 2004-02-27 at 09:00 (remember my visa finished on 2004-02-26... (the day before) I was refused exit and dragged away and would have missed my flight (if I hadn't screamed and shouted) all because of having OVERSTAYED 9 hours!

I wasn't fined - but I did have to run to make it onto the plane just as they were securing the doors for take-off - so beware... if your visa says (THAT) expiration date... then unless you have applied for an extension... then (THAT) is the date you have to exit the airport.....