Korean Job Discussion Forums

s.mackesey · Joined: 21 Jan 2010

Hi all,

This is probably a common question, but I've been searching Dave's and other sites for a few hours and haven't found the answer... I imagine this new thread will be useful to others in the same situation.

My E2 visa expires at the beginning of May 2010. As my girlfriend's contract does not expire until late July 2010, I would like to stay until then. I am aware that one can get a "Temporary Extension of Visa" over the Internet as long as you have a plane ticket out, but that's only a 30-day extension. I need to stay longer.

The US State Department tells me that US Citizens are ordinarily allowed to stay in Korea for 90 days without a Visa:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1018.html

Does this mean that I can simply leave Korea, re-enter without a visa (my E2 being expired), and stay for 90 days? Or does my recent one-year stay in Korea somehow change my status so that I don't get that 90-day visa-free stay? If so, could I get a 'tourist' visa or some such document in Japan and then return?

Please advise or link me to other threads where these questions are answered. Your help will be much appreciated. Smile

NSMatt · Joined: 29 Dec 2008 Location: London

Troglodyte · Joined: 06 Dec 2009

I don't know about the legality of doing a run to Japan after the E2 visa, but i DO know that a lot of people do it. A lot of people (a minority but still LOTS) go to Japan every 3 months for a new entry stamp several times in a row.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

English Matt · Joined: 12 Oct 2008

One possibility would be to take a quick break in a country like Japan or Thailand or China, or wherever for a couple of weeks and then come back to Korea. If you can show an onward flight to the US and sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay then there should be no worry. You could try raising the issue with immi. and seeing where they would stand on you coming back to Korea for a few weeks after a couple of weeks out of the country......it'll certainly look less like you are staying to maintain some private students if you break up your stay in Korea rather than applying to stay on for a couple of months past your visa expiration (it'd certainly looks less fishy to immigration I would imagine).

EDIT: What Ttompatz said Smile

s.mackesey · Joined: 21 Jan 2010

Wow, thanks everyone for the prompt replies! My question is fully answered. Thanks in particular to ttompatz for the direct response to my question. That was exactly what I wanted to know.

seoulsucker · Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 8:24 am Post subject:

Yup...onward flight upon reentry is the key here. As long as you have that the rest should fall into place rather nicely.

birdflower · Joined: 18 Jan 2007 Location: Australia

s.mackesey · Joined: 21 Jan 2010

My situation has gotten slightly more complicated.

I now know that I can leave when my visa expires, come back (with an onward flight ticket within 90 days), and get another 90 days in Korea. However, I've recently learned I may need to get the 30-day "Temporary Extension of Visa", since my visa expires before my job contract. I only need a few days of the extension, and I would like to leave Korea immediately after my job ends.

My new question is:
If I leave and return to Korea during the period of the temporary extension (therefore returning before my visa has officially expired), will I get the 90 day stay (i.e. a new passport stamp)? Or do I have to reenter after the extension of visa has expired? I'll probably go to Japan for a week or so, and I'd prefer to move into my new post-job Korean housing after my Japan trip (to avoid paying for an extra week of rent).

Anyone know the answer to this?

miljeong · Joined: 07 Mar 2010 Location: Bundang

There is nothing that a trip to immigration cannot handle...*sarcasm*

If you got immigration 2 months before your visa is expired, and tell them that your school contract expires on such and such date and that your visa expires before that, they will alter the records and write the new expiration date right on the back of your alien registration card in marker (so sophisticated, huh?). That's also how they do address changes.

I know for a fact that the 30 day thing is JUST POLICY. I once got an extension for 6 MONTHS because of some B.S. with paperwork still being waited on. Statelessness is AWESOME.

Skippy · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Daejeon

You are in a classic situation with the E2 Visa and the ending date. First off the date that is on your ARC card is the date you have to leave! No extra day or two.

Now as you seem to have found out you can get an extension which is easy which can be done at your local immi office and I think on the Internet. BUT this extension does not allow you to WORK!. The extension is mainly for people who need a day or a week extra in Korea because well they bought a ticket that leaves later from what is on your ARC card or somebody just needs a week to finish somne tings. DO NOT tell the immi office that you will be working during that extension. Just get the extension and work- it will be illegal but it will be overlooked. Immi will not likely check up on you during that time. Now if you want to work legally you can resign a new contract but that is a completely different process and cost about 50000 won. I am not sure but I do think immi will look strange if you sign a new contract for three days! I am pretty sure if you resign you would have to resign for another year or maybe six months. Do not quote me on that!

As to leaving and coming back thru Japan I do not even think you need an onward ticket. My advice is at least have proof that you have money in which you can prove your ability to leave. So leave before your ARC card expires go to Japan for a day or couple then come back. No problem! If the officer asks say you are staying with your girlfriend and wasting time till she finished.

Good Luck