Korean Job Discussion Forums

wh9604 · Joined: 12 Apr 2008 Location: Suwon, S. Korea

Hello Everyone,

I currently work at a university in South Korea and have been informed that the Ministry of Justice in Korea is going to change rules related to E-2 visa. It will be officially announced soon but I got some information by contacting the immigration office, however I would like to know what other foreigners might know.

The following rules might applied to every E-2 visa holder in Korea when you renew your visa (or apply for it for the first time).
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1. Educational background check
You only need to bring your original diplomas to the immigration office to get a E-2 visa so far. However you will be required to submit their copies with Apostille from Sep. 1st this year. If you already submitted them when you applied for your visa, you don't have to do that but if not, you have to.

2. Criminal Background Check
From Jan 1st, 2011, every E-2 visa holder need to submit CBC issued by the federal government for visa renewal. The one issued by the local or state government is not valid anymore. If you didn't submit the federal one when you applied for your visa, you will be required to submit it from next year.

3. Medical Check-up
The new medical check-up will be introduced from Jan. 1st, 2011. Like CBC, it will be required to take a new one and submit it for visa renewal.
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QUESTION: If anyone has any specifics/further details to add to this post, can you please do so? Your comments will be greatly appreciated.

Ramen · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

I don't believe them. It's all BS. Razz

naturegirl321 · Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Location: Home sweet home

I heard the same thing today. I can't believe it, seems like they make it harder each year. Why can't they keep our paperwork on file?! I just hope that the embassies in Korea will be able to legalise degrees, if not, I'll have to leave Korea, because I have no one in Spain to do the legalisations for me.

Of course, they COULD change us to E1s, but my uni won't do that. They have less control if they do.

butter_opera · Joined: 07 Apr 2010

Where did you hear this?

Trip · Joined: 28 Dec 2008

Lolimahro · Joined: 19 May 2009

Yes, I would like an official source (like a newspaper or other press release, or a report by Immigration) before I believe all of this.

All I have been able to find information about is the new drug test in the Korea Times.

emilylovesyou · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Location: here

Senior · Joined: 31 Jan 2010

naturegirl321 · Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Location: Home sweet home

makemischief · Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Location: Traveling

hmmm.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Location: Home sweet home

Becastar · Joined: 09 May 2010 Location: Ulsan

Mr Wonderful is that you?

butter_opera · Joined: 07 Apr 2010

I got an email from a recruiter still trying to place me (though I am in Korea and working already) and it verified all that you said! This is ridiculous!

sulperman · Joined: 14 Oct 2008

Why on earth would you have to submit a new CBC for renewal!!??!! In case you went home during you vacation, committed a crime AND got caught doing it? I went to Vietnam, Taiwan and Malaysia this year for vacation...Should I get a CBC from those countries too?

Does this mean that if I have a valid visa obtained using a state CBC that I have to get a federal one on Jan 1st, or does it mean that I need one next year whenever I need to renew my visa?

oskinny1 · Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Location: Right behind you!

I can understand it. They are trying to give people time to get the FBI check. Every other country has to get a federal check, so why not Americans? If your first visa was a state or local check, now they want you to get a federal so they know you aren't just going to another state to get a clean check.