Korean Job Discussion Forums

hagwonnewbie · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Asia

I was wondering if anyone had been to the embassy in Chicago.

Could you briefly comment on your experience there?

beison · Joined: 28 Feb 2010

It was pretty smooth for me. Got in, got out, and went to Korea. The woman at the front desk was kind of snippy, but everyone else was great.

Hope that helps Smile

hagwonnewbie · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Asia

How long did you have to wait between applying at the embassy and finally receiving your visa?

I'm hearing one week.

That surprised me because I always had next day visa issuance when I did my visa runs abroad.

beison · Joined: 28 Feb 2010

Hmmm... Well I can't completely remember, but I don't think it was a whole week. Wish I had more details for you, sorry mate.

DeMayonnaise · Joined: 02 Nov 2008

Guys, quick lesson in civics.

Embassies are ONLY in a country's capital.

What you want is the Korean consulate in Chicago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3rhQc666Sg

beison · Joined: 28 Feb 2010

Pshhhhh We all knew we were talking about the consulate, and not the embassy ^__^

movybuf · Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Location: Mokdong

I haven't been there in a few years, but I did my visa paperwork there probably three times(i think?). It was always quick and easy. I would always park my car on the street and put on my emergency flashers on and be back to my car before anything happened. Each time I had to visit, there was never more than three people waiting to do anything. I think the processing time was probably about 5-6 days.

shostahoosier · Joined: 14 Apr 2009

LOL - dont put on blinkers now...the city of Chicago is broke and will ticket, boot and tow your car in under 30 minutes if they can (I saw it several times in my own neighborhood).

The consulate is (technically) in NBC tower. When I went there it was pretty slow and the woman didnt say more then 2 words to me. I was in and out. I dropped off my passport on Tuesday and got it on Friday I think.

hagwonnewbie · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Asia

You picked it up on Friday, or you received it in the mail that Friday?

notinKS · Joined: 11 Jul 2010

I had my interview on a Tuesday morning and picked up it at promptly 4:30 on Thursday afternoon. The guy that interviewed me asked me what I knew about Korea...I told him that I'd heard about "bbali bbali" and he didn't stop laughing for a good two minutes.

Anyway, it was a very easy and pleasant experience. Fantastic views of the river on one side and the lake on the other side.

hagwonnewbie · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Asia

They said three days, but it actually took 4 days even though I came early on Monday. Some of the people there don't even speak English at all. I'm not kidding.

Parking runs about 15 dollars the first 20 minutes and about a dollar for every 20 minutes after that. Luckily for me, I know people and didn't incur any expenses while I was in town.

alljokingaside · Joined: 17 Feb 2010

If you wanna avoid parking, you can get your parking validated by eating at a nearby restaurant (eg the TGIF east of Michigan Ave. and Erie Ave.) and walk down to the NBC building (it's roughly a 10 min walk. Head south on Michigan Ave [the main street] until you get to Illinois St. Make a left, head toward the end of the cul-de-sac. The building is right there.) I used to work at a clinic in the area and this was one way to find the patients "cheap" parking.
It might not save much, but you do get a meal out of it.

Alternatively, the CTA is another option.