Korean Job Discussion Forums

[freeridden]

OK, so I've read through these boards about getting the F-2 visa. My better half just called immigration and the lady on the phone said that we need 30 million won in order to get the F-2 visa.

I've seen a few people say that this is bogus. So what's the deal? For the people that didn't have to give proof of this, can you tell me which immigration office you went to.

What's the scoop on this?

[Who's Your Daddy?]

Busan immi asked to see some financial assets info. They didn't specify any amount but I exceeded 30M. For most things it seems that Seoul people get it more by the book than Busan.

[Feah]

I got an F-2 about 2 months ago.
They didn't ask for a penny (well...apart from the 5,000won or something paperwork costs).

I've also heard that some immigration offices do ask money.

I went to Suwon office, they asked for no money nor to prove my balance. In the office itself, on the wall, they have posted up what documents are required, proof of 30 million wasn't listed.

So I repeat, go to Suwon Office, make sure you go early though, that place is ram PACKED!

[billyjudd]

It just depends on the immi office.

[SMOE NSET]

I just picked mine up from the Suwon immigration office on Monday. I did not have to show proof of 30 million.

However, my wife and I both showed proof of employment. Another poster said in another thread that the rule is most likely for the non-English speaking countries.

A side note that I don't want to happen to anyone else. Check to make sure where your wife/husband is registered. My wife is registered at the Suwon office. We planned on doing the F2 paperwork at another office only to be told when we arrived that we had to do it at the office she was registered.

Suwon is really busy and I highly recommend setting an appointment. They were booked full two weeks in advance. They filled up fast or maybe it was just me. When I went there though, it was empty.

[Dazed and Confused]

Korean immigration officials when you apply for the F2 or F5 visas seem to tell you whatever they feel like regardless of what the actual law says. When I applied for my F5 the officer told me "You won't get it because you don't speak Korean well enough". That's pure and utter BS because I got my F5 anyway. However, they did wonder why after so many years of marriage we didn't have children. When the officer asked I replied "That's highly inappropriate to ask". He began stuttering and quickly corrected himself and apologized.
You can download a copy of the laws regarding an F2 visa. They are available in English the last time I heard.

[Devil's Harvest]

Bring your proof of employment (copy of contract) and a copy of your lease. This will prove you have a source of income and a place to live. Likely your yearly income (based on the contract) and your apartment key money will total more than 30 million, and should satisfy 95% of immigration officers.

The 30 million won in assets is for Koreans importing brides from SE Asia and for immigrants from non-English speaking countries. Immi wants to be sure the Korean husbands are able to support their newly-purchased wives before they give the wives F-2 visas.

[freeridden]

I'm definitely not poor, but I'm about 10 million shy of the "30 million" marker or whatever your call it. And no, I don't have a contract. I finished my last contract in August, moved to Thailand to do the CELTA and a Young Learners teaching course, and then came back on a tourist visa and just got married.

[Who's Your Daddy?]

At the Busan office when applying for my F2 I asked if I could go straight to F5 because I meet the requirements (on the website). The officer looked at me like I was trying to pull some scam.

Busan definitely required me show them my contract, but also my house purchase agreement. They don't want you.

[Drew10]

We didn't even take any financial records other than the lease for our apartment. We went to the Suwon office and i agree it was packed.

An interesting thing my wife said after we left...The officer told her they usually send investigators to people's homes to check and see if their marraige is real, but since we took our kids with us they weren't going to bother us.

I doubt anyone on here with an F2 has been investigated but i found it kinda funny.

[crossmr]

[PEIGUY]

interesting. I've heard both ways ( going to be applying for my F2 soon) i've heard both ways in terms of the 30 million..

[Jeonmunka]

Settling in the US with -30k is easy. Korea expects the other type of saving mentality. Hang in there Freeridden, it won't be long.

[bigtexas]

when it comes to the money issue for the f2, this is how I see it...

their thinking...

1. Most korean women wont marry you unless you have money (or at leat some). So, no money in the bank looks suspicious.

2. Can you support your family adequately in Korea (hence....money)

3. If you have done a halfway decent job during your time here, you would have saved something.....knowing that you were to be married.

its odd, but I understand them. Its just a tactic to see if you are a halfway decent, responsible human being....

Got the f5 last month and almost at the vip status in the bank....my f5 was easier to get than the previous f2's (and the f2s were pretty easy). They looked at the bank account and my son and stamped in 15 minutes.....

my advice = work as much as you can, because here in korea its all about image. People judge you based on how much money you have. It sucks, but ya got to get used to it. I can be a good thing if you take advantage of it (but if I was back home, this is not the behavior I would practice...fyi)

[jrwhite82]

When I got my F2 they accepted my employment contract as evidence of financial stability.

From what I researched and heard from other F2 friends:

The 30,000,000 requirement is hit or miss depending on the immigration official. It is in the law but a lot of them don't ask for it. If you are from any country that is higher than Korea in GDP then your chances of being asked for proof of 30,000,000 is much lower. If you come from China, India, Africa, etc. they will most likely ask you.

In the US you have to prove that you are able to support your wife and yourself at a level that exceeds the poverty line by a certain % to get a Permanent Resident card (green card). However, your parents can cosign with you as collateral.

Does anyone know if K-in-laws can sign on as collateral here? I didn't need to take my investigation that far.