Korean Job Discussion Forums

Lexiloo555 · Joined: 24 Jul 2010 Location: Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

I went to the Suwon Immigration office today to apply for my ARC and the immigration officer told me that the Boston Korean Consulate messed up my Visa. From what I can understand (because no one could speak English there) the consulate (in Boston) marked my Visa as E-2-2 and in the box that says "type" it has a big M (meaning multiple entry)... However, the immigration official said that they made a mistake and marked the visa as an E-2-2 (which is a single entry visa) instead of a E-2-1.... I am so scared and confused as they confiscated my passport for 3 weeks and said (in broken English) that they would "fix it". I am now without a passport and unsure about my visa status. Please help me someone... should I call the US Embassy??? I am kind of freaking out a bit as I do not want my visa to be canceled!

BURNBURNRUBBER · Joined: 03 May 2010

if it's just your re-entry permissions, it's not a big deal. they will sort you out.
don't worry. i'm sure it's just a language thing that's freaking you out.
at worst, you will have to pay a little bit for permission to leave korea and come back without voiding your current visa(multiple entry). but if you don't plan on leaving and coming back before your contract expires, it doesn't even matter.

DaeguKid · Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Location: Daegu

don't worry. If the person at immigration says that they will fix it, they will fix it. It may seem dodgy and all with them having your passport and a mistake being made, but just be patient. It will work out.

Lexiloo555 · Joined: 24 Jul 2010 Location: Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

Thank you so much everyone! I know that I may be overreacting a bit, it is nice to have some reassurance, that's all. My Korean co-teacher was with me but she does not speak English very well at all. Just was a little scared that's all.

Wishmaster · Joined: 06 Feb 2003

Yeah, don't worry about it, Lexi. As an old timer here in Korea, I've had to deal with such things many times. They'll fix the error, no problem. No need to worry about it. You'll get your passport back in no time.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Side note: as long as the immigration office issued you a receipt for your passport you are fine. It should also have a date for pickup or delivery on it.

As to calling your embassy, there is nothing they can do as it is legally in the hands of the government of Korea (immigration) until the matter is resolved to the satisfaction of the government of Korea (as permitted by international law) and you would be told as much by your embassy.

bottom line - no panic. You weren't going anywhere next week anyway.

.

frankriccard · Joined: 05 Sep 2010

yikes!

bobbybigfoot · Joined: 05 May 2007 Location: Seoul

Geeze Louise. Take a pill and chillax. You'd think you were deep in Africa surrounded by cannibalistic tribes.

They'll sort things out and then give you your passport back.

Lexiloo555 · Joined: 24 Jul 2010 Location: Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

bobbybigfoot: I kind of wish that I was in Africa surrounded by cannibalistic tribes.... I cannot do anything without a passport here, that is why I was worried and also kind of pissed off about it... maybe it is you who needs to take a chill pill for your ego... I appriciate your .2 cents but Dave's is a forum for people to go and seek advice for things, not to be nasty to each other....

Thank you everyone else, I just cannot get paid, open a bank account or anything else of that sort due to this and am a bit frustrated as my co-teacher has no explanation for me and offers no help as her and I are having communication difficulties. I usually would have no problem with this, but I wanted to go to Busan or Jeju for Chesok and now I do not know what my options are because I cannot get a hotel room if I do not have a passport or can I?

NYC_Gal · Joined: 08 Dec 2009

You can get a hotel room with cash. Fear not. Have a good Chuseok and welcome to Korea!

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

eIn07912 · Joined: 06 Dec 2008 Location: seoul

Take a big breath and just mellow out a bit.

Despite what you've heard and what others claim, the Koreans aren't out to get you. The government offices aren't out to do you harm. If they said they'll fix it, they probably will.

You will still get paid, don't worry about that. As for not getting a phone or anything, just wait it out, it's no big deal. You can get a friend to get a phone in their name you just give them the money. If it's a prepaid phone, it doesn't matter whose name it's in.

Just chill man, they will get your passport back to you. And now you'll have a multiple reentry visa, much better than single.

vaticanhotline · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 6:06 pm Post subject: Re: Thank you.....

saram_ · Joined: 13 May 2008

Without trying to appear too trivial here just do not worry about it.

Get on with your other stuff like teaching, learning about the area you live in, adapting to Korean life etc..

You can live easily here without your passport/Visa etc. Your stuff is in immigration and they will sort it quickly. If they weren't going to sort it out quickly you would be back in the USA now with your passport in hand..

You will get your ARC card and Passport in a week or two and then you can open a bank account, get a phone etc.. I think opening a bank account and getting a phone is about all you need the passport for anyway...

Wherabouts are you living/staying right now? Many people can help you on here (not all posters are just rude)..

You will look back at these days with a big smile after a few weeks..

wiganer · Joined: 13 Jul 2010