Korean Job Discussion Forums

rudolph123456 · Joined: 22 Jul 2010

I have a slight complication with getting my E-2 visa. The thing is that I'm a British citizen living in New Zealand, and therefore will be applying on a British passport. I've got a British criminal record check (to match my passport) as well as a New Zealand CRC too, just in case!

However, a recruiter has brought up an interesting point that I can't seem to find on the internet. He says that in order to obtain the visa I need to fly to Korea from the Country on my passport. So he reckons he would have to fly from NZ over to the UK and then the school will pay for a flight from London to Seoul.

He admits that it is a silly stipulation but it is what it is. Is he accurate? It's no big problem either way but I just want to know for sure before I start booking extra flights!!

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Smile

spicy · Joined: 25 Oct 2009 Location: Sinchon / Ewha / Hongdae

call your local korean embassy. they'll know what they can and can't do, although they were a bit wrong when I went to them for my visa. ended up working in my favor, but they told me the incorrect requirements a few times...

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

TheresaTheresa · Joined: 24 Feb 2010

morrisonhotel · Joined: 18 Jul 2009 Location: Gyeonggi-do

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

Oliver · Joined: 19 Apr 2008 Location: Seoul, Korea

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

plato's republic · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Location: Ancient Greece

This is something that interests me as well. If someone has had an E2 visa before and therefore does not need to have a consular interview, would they still have to apply for their E2 visa in their home country even if resident in a third country, i.e. not Korea or their country of birth?

I suppose the OP could go to Korea first and once the visa issuance number is ready then do a visa run to Osaka. However, if they need to have an interview beforehand then that wouldn't be a viable option.

DaffyD73 · Joined: 28 Nov 2007 Location: Planet Earth on the left

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

blonde researcher · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 9:08 pm Post subject:

The visa rule is as follows:

If you are going to any position that has a visa number issued from immigration, and this is your first time visa in Korea, then you MUST report to the Koren embassy in the country of your passport you applied in for an interview. Your
police check must definitely be done in the country of your passport you are using.

If you are going to any public school contract such as EPIK that gives you a NOA(notice of appointment) then you are exempt from the interview in your home country of passport. Instead you can apply to get your visa stamp in your passport at any Korean embassy at any country ( No interview required)
SO with your UK passport you can get the visa stamp and leave from NZ

YES-- some Korean consulates do have some flexibility on having you take an interview or not,or in what manner, especially if you are many miles away and it would cost a lot to get there wihin your own country.

If this is your second or more E2 visa in Korea then you can depart from any country you wish that has a Korean embassy or consulate that can put the stamp in your passport YOU DO NOT NEED TO RETURN TO YOUR HOME COUNTRY

Why not phone the Korean embassy in NZ directly and ask them if they will process your visa stamp so you can leave from NZ? Don't forget to tell them if you will have a NOA or a visa number. Then you will know for sure

timetramp · Joined: 29 Oct 2010

"If you are going to any public school contract such as EPIK that gives you a NOA(notice of appointment) then you are exempt from the interview in your home country of passport".

Blonde Researcher, are absolutely sure about this? There are soooo many posts on the internet that say one have to come back to your own country if it's your first e2 application...

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

Smudger · Joined: 26 Sep 2010

You CAN get a visa from a third country (or at least NZ) and not have to go home. I came to Korea from NZ as a Canadian with no problem on my first E2. I can't verify if this is still the case with new E2 procedures for 2011 so call the consulate to be sure.

Get your prospective school to have your degree verified by the Korean Council of University Education (KCUE). This allows you to avoid the consular interview and obtain a visa from a third country. I did this all through the consulate in Auckland.