Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dragonfly123]

Hey Everybody,

I know there have been many posts about immigration but things change. If anyone can help me out here, I'd realy appreciate it. Okay, here's my situation.

My contract expires soon and when it does I was planning to travel throughout Asia for a month and then RE-ENTER KOREA as a tourist (without a visa obviously as I am a Canadian citizen) so I can take my Seoul to CAnada flight back home paid for by my employer. No problem so far. Now, for some reason, my employer does not want me to travel after my visa. They want me to go directly home to Canada because they claim after talking to Immigration that I won't be allowed to re-enter Korea. But, as I already explained above that shouldn't be a problem. I told them not to worry about me re-entering and I think managed to convince them to give me the flight back home a few weeks after the expiration of my contract. I said I would even call immigration myself to confirm that I can re-enter Korea as a tourist. Well, when I called, the woman in immigration said it is not a sure thing, especially if you have overstayed your visa in the past. Then I remembered that my first year in Korea (three years ago) my rogue and delinquent boss intentionally cut short my visa by 14 days from the full year, essentially giving me a visa for 350 days instead of the norm 365 (he changed the "Period of Stay" which is on the back of your alien card). He never changed it back like he promised and when I left Korea that year they said I overstayed my visa for 14 days (even though I was only in Korea for one year exactly). When I changed jobs and got a new visa, the woman in the consulate reminded me of my "bad history." Now, I am worried that I might not be able to enter/re-enter Korea as a tourist because of that one-time overstay of 14 days.

My question: Would I be denied entry/re-entry in Korea because of overstaying past my visa? Does it matter it happened in my previous contract? Is there any way I can get rid of this "bad history" (as it was due to a negligent and malicious behaviour from my previous Korean employer? Am I being overly cautious and worrying about nothing?

Well, sorry for being verbose but the consequences are high. IF I am denied re-entry to Korea then I will have to pay for my own flight home, find a way to get my stuff back home and have to change my money now at the crappy exchange rates. All those who can give sound advice, you are really helping me out. Thanks in advance.

[ttompatz]

no worry - worst case: you never enter korea - you remain as a transit passenger (chances of this are just about 0).

Best case - welcome back (stamp).

Probably case = same as best case. AS long as you meet the requirements for visa free entry (onward passage (ticket home) and funds for your stay).

.

[salgichawa]

[I-am-me]

if you buy the ticket, just change the dates later. You will pay fee, but you can fly to Canada still. But then again, if you buy ticket and they reimburse you, its not their business when you fly as long as you leave korea by end of ARC date.

[fugitive chicken]

When you leave to go travelling, give up your ARC card to the airport and make sure you leave before your expiration date and you will be fine. If immigration has your card, then they have no problem!

[dragonfly123]

Thanks everyone for your response. I am grateful for your help!