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big_fella1
Joined: 08 Dec 2005
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 Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2011 11:56 pm Post subject: |
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| naturegirl321 wrote: |
| journal wrote: |
| I hate to ask a stupid question...but just to clarify: You mean a break from the visa itself, right? I've had the same visa for nearly five years now, but have taken a number of vacations. |
I don't think it's a stupid question. Let's say that you leave for 3 months a year. Still on the same visa, but just go on vacation. I would think that that time wouldn't count, but I would hope it did! |
Looking to change from an F2 to an F5 myself and I have been told that any time out of Korea doesn't count when calculating stay periods so if you have been abroad for 1 month in the last 2 years then you need to wait until 2 years and 1 month to apply for your status change. |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 18 Jul 2006
Location: Home sweet home
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| Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 12:38 am Post subject: |
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| Well, darn. That stinks. |
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beans & rice
Joined: 12 May 2011
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| Posted: Tue May 17, 2011 1:12 am Post subject: |
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for anyone interested in the Social Integration Program, it seems the next language level test for it is offered nationwide on June 25th. I was told you have to apply on the hikorea website - Korea Immigration and Integration Program ( http://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/CvlapplInfoPageR_en.pt?locale=en&cvlapplTitleNm=true ) between the 1st and 15th of June and then once you've applied contact the local center for the test location.
I also called the local immigration office and asked about the language requirement for the f2 point system visa and they told me that with a certificate of completion of the Social Integration Program it will count as an intermediate level ( 15 points ) for the Korean language ability points. I was told that the language level test for the Social Integration Program is all multiple choice and there is no essay portion. I also heard it is easier than the TOPIK exam. If you get more than 70 points on the test you only have to take one of the 100 hour language classes and if you get more than 90 points then you don't need to take any language courses before taking the 50 hour culture class. After taking the classes you have to pass an assessment exam before receiving your completion certificate.
so ideally, if you study hard and get more than 90 points on your test, you're only a 50 hour course and assessment test away from 25 points towards your f2 visa (10 points for the course, 15 for Korean language ability)
The only rub is that these courses don't seem to be offered on the weekends in many places ( I have yet to find one that does, if you know of one that offers courses on the weekend let me know ) The only ones local to me are on friday mornings, and I only found a couple in seoul that are offered past 5pm (none I could get there in time for after work ) there are numbers listed on the kiip site (in the korean section) to call and find out about centers and their schedules, I had my korean friend help me find that information. So unless your workplace is cool with shuffling around your schedule to let you attend, it could be an issue, but if anyone finds a place that offers weekend classes, it could be a possibility for many people to attend, since transportation in korea is so great. |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 18 Jul 2006
Location: Home sweet home
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| Posted: Tue May 17, 2011 1:56 am Post subject: |
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I'd also like to know about weekend courses. I work until late. I don't start until noon or later, but I don't think I could do any morning classes becuase it doesn't seem like there are any offered near me.
Thanks for the info. Though if I can't find a weekend course, then I won't be going. I heard that there was a weekend course in Shingil or Mokdong. or maybe it was Guro? I don't remember, all I know is it was Sundays, for 8 hours. Yep, 8 hours. |
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beans & rice
Joined: 12 May 2011
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| Posted: Tue May 17, 2011 6:40 am Post subject: |
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| naturegirl321 wrote: |
| I heard that there was a weekend course in Shingil or Mokdong. or maybe it was Guro? I don't remember, all I know is it was Sundays, for 8 hours. Yep, 8 hours. |
I'll try and give a call and see if I can find out about it, if it doesn't start terribly early and I can catch a bus or get there somehow I might give it a try. I've taken two hour classes, four seems doable, but 8 might be a stretch. If there are decent breaks throughout, and depending on the instructor and format of the class, it might not be as bad as it sounds.
I'm looking for a new job come fall so depending on my schedule and how cool the new employer is about it, I might be able to work something out during the week possibly, but if not I definitely want to know all my options.
maybe closer to the end of next month we can start a new thread and list the centers we call and list what their schedules are, since there isn't a convenient chart anywhere, for the language and culture classes. till then keep your ear to the ground and let me know if you hear about any other weekend or evening classes. |
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nick70100
Joined: 09 Sep 2005
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| Posted: Tue May 17, 2011 6:55 am Post subject: |
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| beans & rice wrote: |
for anyone interested in the Social Integration Program, it seems the next language level test for it is offered nationwide on June 25th. I was told you have to apply on the hikorea website - Korea Immigration and Integration Program ( http://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/CvlapplInfoPageR_en.pt?locale=en&cvlapplTitleNm=true ) between the 1st and 15th of June and then once you've applied contact the local center for the test location.
I also called the local immigration office and asked about the language requirement for the f2 point system visa and they told me that with a certificate of completion of the Social Integration Program it will count as an intermediate level ( 15 points ) for the Korean language ability points. I was told that the language level test for the Social Integration Program is all multiple choice and there is no essay portion. I also heard it is easier than the TOPIK exam. If you get more than 70 points on the test you only have to take one of the 100 hour language classes and if you get more than 90 points then you don't need to take any language courses before taking the 50 hour culture class. After taking the classes you have to pass an assessment exam before receiving your completion certificate.
so ideally, if you study hard and get more than 90 points on your test, you're only a 50 hour course and assessment test away from 25 points towards your f2 visa (10 points for the course, 15 for Korean language ability)
The only rub is that these courses don't seem to be offered on the weekends in many places ( I have yet to find one that does, if you know of one that offers courses on the weekend let me know ) The only ones local to me are on friday mornings, and I only found a couple in seoul that are offered past 5pm (none I could get there in time for after work ) there are numbers listed on the kiip site (in the korean section) to call and find out about centers and their schedules, I had my korean friend help me find that information. So unless your workplace is cool with shuffling around your schedule to let you attend, it could be an issue, but if anyone finds a place that offers weekend classes, it could be a possibility for many people to attend, since transportation in korea is so great. |
There's another thread where I posted a lot of information about the program here...
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=205395
I can answer some of your other questions here. About locations and times, that was the biggest question I had before the program started, but I didn't really get any useful answers. The problem is that not all of the locations offer all of the levels, and even if they do plan on offering a level they will cancel it if they don't get enough students to register for it. So it's kind of pointless to even ask until after you take the placement test and find out which level you're in, then you can start narrowing it down. In my case I got enough points on the test to go to level 4. I originally signed up in one location in Guro. I told them my work schedule and asked when the classes would be. They told me the exact schedule hadn't been decided yet but also told me not to worry since I'm not the only person who works. The day before the registration deadline they called me back and told me that I was the only person to register for level 4 so they told me to go to the University of Foreign studies (over an hour away, completely opposite side of Seoul) They were offering the class for 6 hours on Saturdays, maybe closer to 8 hours including breaks. I hesitantly agreed because it didn't seem like I had any other options. I did a bit more calling around and found one more class 3 nights a week from 6:30-8:30 and slightly closer to home and luckily they let me change over to that one even though it was a few days after the supposed deadline.
Another issue is that the level 3 and level 4 classes aren't offered as much as the others. People married to Koreans (the majority of people who take this course) get to skip these levels. So while you might see a list of over 20 locations on the website or the paper that immigration hands out after the test, in reality if you test into level 3 or 4 there will be only a small handful of those locations available to you.
So, I hate to give you bad news, especially since I was asking the exact same questions you were a few months ago, but you probably won't get any clear answers out of anyone until the last minute. |
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beans & rice
Joined: 12 May 2011
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| Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 7:25 pm Post subject: |
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| nick70100 wrote: |
| So, I hate to give you bad news, especially since I was asking the exact same questions you were a few months ago, but you probably won't get any clear answers out of anyone until the last minute. |
No worries, thanks for the heads up. I found this thread through searching and for some reason didn't see the newer one you pointed me to, but I'm glad to know some of this from someone who has been in my position. I guess I'll just wait till the exam and then call around like crazy. Since I'm in Daejeon and it seems there's only one center here, I'll most likely be commuting and doing the classes on the weekends if its possible. |
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nick70100
Joined: 09 Sep 2005
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| Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 7:58 pm Post subject: |
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| beans & rice wrote: |
| nick70100 wrote: |
| So, I hate to give you bad news, especially since I was asking the exact same questions you were a few months ago, but you probably won't get any clear answers out of anyone until the last minute. |
No worries, thanks for the heads up. I found this thread through searching and for some reason didn't see the newer one you pointed me to, but I'm glad to know some of this from someone who has been in my position. I guess I'll just wait till the exam and then call around like crazy. Since I'm in Daejeon and it seems there's only one center here, I'll most likely be commuting and doing the classes on the weekends if its possible. |
One more thing to consider. If you live in Daejeon you might not be able to take a class in Seoul. According to one of the users in this thread immigration won't allow you to take a course outside of your area.
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=196858&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
| Lolimahro wrote: |
| I called the Seoul office today and was informed that since I am in the "jurisdiction" of Incheon, I simply can't take a course in Seoul. |
Who knows if they've chang | | |
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