Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mellow-d]

Thanks for the information! I went to a travel agent on Friday and he said that I can apply for my visa now and it will be good for travel in September. It's like if you ever want to travel to China, you better think about doing it early in your contract or you're screwed!

[iselynjenniep]

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/embassy/korea2.htm

[Mirabilis85]

I just found out about this change and needless to say Im fuming. There seems to be a glimmer of hope with Kangsan travel. Someone with less than 6 months on their arc mentioned on a board that theyre getting a visa with them. Im going to try tomorrow!

[timolein23]

any luck with kangsan travel? i think ive missed it by two days. cant believe it. My arc runs out on 11th january. just sent mine to a korean travel agency but they were doubtful. tempted to send my passport back to england and hope there is enough time or cancel.

[Mirabilis85]

The woman at the Seoul office said there should be no problem getting the visa, but I wont know for sure until Friday or next Monday. Apparently these new regulations only apply to Seoul area agencies, but not to those in Busan where Kangsan also has an office. Shes sending them off to be processed there. Hopefully its still a go for Shanghai and the Expo!

[vuniwai]

I sent my documents to Kangsan at Busan and they lodged my application yesterday. The people at the Busan office said that the 6 months ARC rule, at the moment, is only enforced at the Chinese consulate office in Seoul and the Busan office has not followed the rule just yet. Hopefully I will recieve my visa by the end of the week without any problem. I think if anybody needs a Chinese visa they should speak to travel agents in Busan. This seems to be the only viable option at the moment. I will let you know if I am successful with the visa once I have my passport back.

[WishfulDreamer]

I am/have been in the same difficult situation with trying to get a Chinese visa for this month. My ARC says I'm leaving at the end of Nov (4 months away), but I will be renewing my contract so, in fact, I'll be staying for longer than the required 6 months. However, the school doesn't sign new contracts until just before the old one ends.

The travel agency told me that if I got an 'official' letter from my school saying I'll be employed for longer than 6 months I'd be good. I finally got that from my unwilling employers and then the travel agent said it wasn't good enough. That option still wouldn't work. She said that my ARC NEEDED to say 6 months.

Many headaches later, I took my "official" letter from my school and my ARC and other documents directly to the Chinese embassy who were willing to accept it.

These new regulations are nuts and a headache for everyone.

Good luck to everyone who is still trying.

[Konglishman]

[Mirabilis85]

The moral of the story for those of us with less than 6 months:

Just visit Kangsan travel! (Seoul office near Gwanghwamun)

[classydame]

I used mychinavisa.com to get my visa and it was pretty fast. I think regular processing is about 4 days, but you can pay extra for same day service. I got my passport back less than 2 weeks after I shipped it out. If you try this, use the Korean express mail at the post office instead of Fedex. It was only about 20,000 won and took 4 days.

[sundizz]

I am thinking of going to China for a few days NYE's time. I emailed Zenith Travel about it. My ARC expires on Feb 30th, 2012 and I am an American citizen. They said they could do it for 260k if i get the certificate of alien registration from my local dong. Anyone know any travel agencies in Seoul that will do it for cheaper than 260k?

[iselynjenniep]

hanatour... email [email protected]
they charged me no fees (190,000 for visa)