Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jondepoer]

Hi folks,

I've searched the forums and come up with some stale information on this topic, so I think it's time for an update.

How long did your visa issuance number take from the time your documents landed in Korea, to getting the Visa Issuance Number emailed to you?

ie: Documents in Korea >>>?>>> Issuance Number

I'm booking my own ticket, and trying to make a safe estimate.

[marsavalanche]

Do NOT book your ticket unless you have the visa in your passport. Your OP sounds like you're trying to book your ticket in advance. Biggest rookie mistake in the book.

[jondepoer]

Whoops. I meant to add another option for less than 5 days, and now it won't let me. If your number took less than 5, please post how long it took.

My situation is a little more complicated viz. flights. I'm in Thailand, and "rebooking" a previous flight. The airline needs a date before they will let me rebook, and I don't want to wait until the last minute in case economy class is filled up on the day I'm flying. So I'm booking based on an extremely generous estimate.

[ttompatz]

Depending on the immigration office concerned it can take from 4-7 working days to get the visa confirmation number AFTER it lands on the desk at immigration.

Your documents may sit on a few other desks AFTER it arrives in Korea and before it ever gets to immigration (from you to your recruiter to the school to immigration).

Even AFTER you get the visa confirmation number you still need to get the visa (add another 2-5 working days).

Do NOT book your tickets until you have a visa IN YOUR PASSPORT or you may be back here (as many have been before you) with a thread titled, "HELP - FLIGHT IS TOMORROW and I don't have my visa yet. WHAT CAN I DO?"

.

[jondepoer]

Well, ttompatz has spoken.

Ok, you've convinced me. I was going to leave about a 16 day window between 'documents in Korea' and flight, but I guess I'll take my chances with the airline and wait for visa confirmation.

Thanks again for your many helpful suggestions along the way. I never thought I'd have this many questions about my visa the THIRD time around!

[brauggi]

I was told 15 business days. It's been 15 business days. I still don't have it, but there's that whole holiday thing now.

[blm]

Can I vote for longer. After waiting about 16 days I checked with recruiter what's happening.

Was told waiting on priniciples personal information which we should have today before going to immigration (so not really immigrations delay but let a man vent) so will have to wait another 2 weeks.

Bad first impression given the cost and time I put into getting my documents ready. Strongly suspect that the excuse is bs though and that someone was just sitting on the documents.

[DonMegawatt]

My school received my documents on Jan. 31st and took them to immigration on Feb. 1st, however, then there was Lunar New Year. I'm still waiting.

[Triple007]

They took them to immigration the day before Lunar New Year. I got the number a week later.

[teaster]

Can anyone offer any recent accounts of how long it took for them to receive their visa issuance number?

[Porksta]

It takes about a week. As has been said before, it then takes a few days to get your visa from the embassy.

[pignolia]

Mine took 2 1/2 weeks from the time my school submitted the paperwork but Lunar New Year was right in the middle of that.