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rustbot82
Joined: 18 Jan 2011
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 Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 6:17 pm Post subject: Issues coming into Korea on a tourist visa? |
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Last year I came to Seoul without a job, and just lived here for a month on a tourist visa and shopped for a job. Then when I got hired in a hagwon my new boss paid for me to fly to Fukuoka, Japan and get a work visa from the Korean consulate there. It all worked out well.
I paid for a return ticket to the US that I never used. I bought it knowing that I might be wasting my money, because I feared I'd get stopped/hassled by the Korean immigration people without it. I recall reading something on their website about requiring a two-way ticket from tourists. However it really seemed like the people who stamped my passport and issued my visa didn't care. I don't they even looked at my ticket. But I know things have been changing...
I have been considering doing the same thing again next year, except I'd rather save my money and just buy a one-way ticket. I really liked being able to physically see where I'd be working and meet the people. It seemed a lot cooler than doing it online. I got to check out the neighborhood and get a feel for my boss.
Has anyone coming in on a tourist visit been stopped or denied entry into Korea because they didn't have a two-way ticket? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 7:10 pm Post subject: Re: Issues coming into Korea on a tourist visa? |
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| rustbot82 wrote: |
Last year I came to Seoul without a job, and just lived here for a month on a tourist visa and shopped for a job. Then when I got hired in a hagwon my new boss paid for me to fly to Fukuoka, Japan and get a work visa from the Korean consulate there. It all worked out well.
I paid for a return ticket to the US that I never used. I bought it knowing that I might be wasting my money, because I feared I'd get stopped/hassled by the Korean immigration people without it. I recall reading something on their website about requiring a two-way ticket from tourists. However it really seemed like the people who stamped my passport and issued my visa didn't care. I don't they even looked at my ticket. But I know things have been changing...
I have been considering doing the same thing again next year, except I'd rather save my money and just buy a one-way ticket. I really liked being able to physically see where I'd be working and meet the people. It seemed a lot cooler than doing it online. I got to check out the neighborhood and get a feel for my boss.
Has anyone coming in on a tourist visit been stopped or denied entry into Korea because they didn't have a two-way ticket? |
Stopped by immigration = no.
Stopped and refused boarding by the airline = yes.
You didn't have a problem before because the airline knew you had an exit ticket.
Just make sure you buy a refundable exit ticket and you will be fine. the airline won't blink and immigration won't care. Refund it when you get here. Korean air only charges 30k won for the service fee on a ticket refund.
NOT having a ticket could very well mean that you may be required by buy it at the airport before the check-in agent gives you a boarding pass.
2 choices:
a) take your chances at the airport (buy one if necessary)
b) buy a refundable ticket to Japan and cash it in when you get here (or use it for your visa run and get your boss to pay you back for it).
Onward passage and/or proof of funds ARE requirements for entry under the visa waiver programs.
A third option is to get a visa (rather than travel on a visa waiver) but that would cost more than the refund fee.
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