Korean Job Discussion Forums

rickpidero · Joined: 03 Sep 2009

I've been hearing that you now must have 6 months left on your ARC to get a Chinese visa, as of like a week ago or two ago. Can anyone confirm this? Also, what is the reasoning? Is it the Korean gov or Chinese? Anyways around this?

Traversant · Joined: 14 Apr 2010 Location: Yongin

Yep, it's true. I called the Chinese embassy and they confirmed (although people in the travel forums are saying that if you're getting the visa in Busan you're fine??). Had to cancel my trip to Beijing.

Mirabilis85 · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul

Yes thats right. This new 6month ARC requirement only applies to Seoul area agencies and as of yet hasnt been applied to agencies in the Busan area. I was also about to cancel my trip when I gleaned that bit of info from the internet. Very Happy

Ginormousaurus · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Location: 700 Ft. Pulpit

Does anyone know the rationale behind this? Why should your employment status in one (foreign) country have any influence on a tourist visa in another foreign country?

Richard Krainium · Joined: 12 Jan 2006

Vimfuego · Joined: 10 Apr 2009

I went to Beijing in October and I only had to provide the agency with my passport, they cared not about my ARC. The ARC shouldn't have any influence at all. Imagine if you were only visiting ROK and wanted to apply for a Chinese visa whilst in Seoul, they wouldn't require an ARC.

Traversant · Joined: 14 Apr 2010 Location: Yongin

^ It was instated July 1 2010.

Ginormousaurus · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Location: 700 Ft. Pulpit

metalhead · Joined: 18 May 2010 Location: Toilet

Something is up for sure. Before it was simple to get a tourist visa for China from South Africa, now you need a personal letter of invitation from a Chinese person in China and a copy of their ID card, and they only give out two month visas whereas it was possible to get longer ones before.

My buddy is back in America now, I know he'll be applying for a tourist visa for China soon, will ask him if anything has changed on that side.

rickpidero · Joined: 03 Sep 2009

I actually heard it's instituted in Pusan now too. They apparently received the notice later than Seoul, classic bureaucracy. This is hear-say though, can anyone confirm?

So, the real question is- is there anything to do about it? Like send your passport to Japan?

I'm guessing tourist don't fallow the same rules, right?

And, is it the Chinese government or Korean. I feel like it would make more sense for the Koreans to do it, since (like was previously stated) they may want to curb runners. Flying to Beijing is by far the cheapest ticket out of this country.

It just doesn't make sense for the Chinese. Wouldn't they want the tourist, why would they care about Korea?

samd · Joined: 03 Jan 2007

In the thread in the travel forum, someone said that it doesn't apply if you have held a Chinese Visa within the last two years. Can anybody verify this?

partymop · Joined: 24 Jun 2009

ya, i called the chinese embassy and they confirmed that

rickpidero · Joined: 03 Sep 2009

louiloui · Joined: 14 Oct 2008

This is not a new thing, and I think it may depend on the person handling the visa. I had to cancel my trip to the Beijing Olympics in '08 because I didn't have 6 months left on my E-2. Also, I think this may be an American only issue, so if you're not American you may not have to deal with this.

DeMayonnaise · Joined: 02 Nov 2008