Korean Job Discussion Forums

df1983 · Joined: 15 Aug 2009 Location: Pyongtaek, Korea

Does anyone know of an agency that can get a Chinese visa and speaks English? I have to get one quickly. I just found out I can't show up at the embassy to apply for one which is what I had planned.

ChrisHannah · Joined: 20 Jun 2008 Location: Daegu

I just managed to get a double entry working with a travel agency that doesn't speak any English. I had the woman call a friend on the phone for the essentials, but everything else was able to be communicated through awkward exchanges.

Just go with a larger agency and let them know what you need through a friend, or translated from online if necessary. You should be able to get it done, and with less worry that they are out to scam foreigners.

df1983 · Joined: 15 Aug 2009 Location: Pyongtaek, Korea

Which agency would I go through..... I've heard that there are a ton of travel agencies around the Chinese consulate. I have to get 1 day processing.

darkjedidave · Joined: 19 Aug 2009 Location: Shanghai/Seoul

Go to the Chinese Consulate (you can't go inside, of course) but there are a number of travel agents outside asking if you need a chinese visa, they take you to their nearby office, most speak decent english, and normal turnover is around 3 days

falldownstumble · Joined: 24 Mar 2007 Location: Seoul

Can anybody give some more details? I keep finding conflicting information. Do you think I will be able to get a visa in time to go to China on the 30th? I'm waiting to hear back from a travel agent, but I'm impatient!

runthegauntlet · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Location: the southlands.

got mine through soho travel.

sohotravel.co.kr

That should be enough time.

falldownstumble · Joined: 24 Mar 2007 Location: Seoul

Some of my coworkers are telling me they tried to go to China last year after the Oylmpics, and they couldn't because they didn't have at least 6 months left on their Korean E-2 visas. Does anybody know if this is still in effect? Seems like a ridiculous policy. They were Canadian, by the way.

prairiegirl81 · Joined: 07 Jan 2009

We're also going to China around that time and had no problem getting visas through Xanadu travel in Seoul. When you apply you have the option of getting an "emergency" visa (1-2 process) it just costs a lot more.

Concerning the 6 month rule - it's definitely true. If you don't have at least 6 months left on your Visa I think that you will have trouble travelling anywhere except home. This happened to a friend of mine who got all the way to the airport, luggage in hand and was denied entry onto her flight to Taiwan...

falldownstumble · Joined: 24 Mar 2007 Location: Seoul

Hm, last year I went to Thailand with only 2 months left on my visa. Where was your friend from?

prairiegirl81 · Joined: 07 Jan 2009

Oops! My mistake! I thought that you meant 6 months left on your passport not on your E-2. Sorry for any alarm caused, I think that traveling to China should be fine. (I intend on doing it....)

Sector7G · Joined: 24 May 2008

I just got mine last week through a travel agency. It took 7 days and cost 130k won. But I am guessing you have already found that out.

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

You can only get a Chinese visa by using a travel agent. There is a list of them on the Chinese embassy's website. I just went with the one closest to where I was staying in Seoul. It took a few days and was no problem.

curiousaboutkorea · Joined: 21 Jan 2009

Soho Travel in Hongdae. I think they charge a 15,000 won fee (on top of the visa fee paid to the consulate). It was 135,000 for an American (120,000 for consulate + 15,000 for the agency). Takes 5 business days; there might be express service. I think a double entry (6 month validity) is another 20,000. They did confirm with me that they do process double-entry visas.

falldownstumble · Joined: 24 Mar 2007 Location: Seoul

So I went to Soho travel, they said they will have the visa for me on Monday the 28th. They said they didn't know anything about that 6 months left on the E-2 business, so here's hoping it's fine. I had to pay 160,000 to get it processed a little faster, and I guess that also includes Soho's fee. Thanks for everyone's comments Razz

22tea77 · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Location: United States

I was hoping to get a multi entry, or at the very least, a double entry China Visa.

I was told by a large agency that the double entry is possible ONLY IF you have at least 6 months remaining on your ARC Card, but a Single Entry would be no problem.

Has anyone been able to get a multi or double entry visa with LESS THAN 6 months remaining on their ARC?

If so, which Agency??

Thanks for any help!