Korean Job Discussion Forums

grant gerstners · Joined: 13 Jan 2010 Location: USA

The contract that came with my EPIK appointment says I start June 7th.

I sent my documents to the Korean Consulate General in Chicago Thursday (27th) by Express Mail, which guaranteed overnight delivery with tracking. It appears to have arrived today (Friday) before noon. I'm wondering if I should have called to ask if everything looked okay.

The pre-paid, self-addressed envelope I included is also Express Mail, and when I type in the tracking number on-line, there's no indication that they processed the paperwork today and sent it back. Not that I was expecting that they would.

With the 3 day memorial day weekend, they might not get to it until Tuesday, and the website says processing can take 2-3 days.

Meanwhile, my recruiter is suggesting I look into flights arriving into Incheon before noon on June 7th (Monday). That is of course assuming I dotted all my i's and crossed all my t's as far as the visa application and associated documents.

Does it really make sense to buy a ticket, not knowing if the Visa application will go through without a glitch?

I see I can book a flight leaving the US on Saturday the 5th, arriving late the 6th or very early the 7th.

bobbybigfoot · Joined: 05 May 2007 Location: Seoul

I did just this two years ago. Then my Visa was delayed because the admin girl at my school f*cked up. Cost me $100 in change fees, plus the fare was higher, an extra $50. Then the Embassy woman went into turtle mode and refused to process my Visa in time for me to make my flight. She gave me sh*t for booking it in advance. To prove what a w*nch she really is, she made me change my flight again. Another $100 fee.

So yeah, you can book in advance, but when the timetable changes, you are the one stuck paying the extra fees. You'll get the infamous "Please understand our situation" line...