Korean Job Discussion Forums

Daniel1981 · Joined: 30 Dec 2009

I'm checking in on any updates around the F2-99 Visa that is granted for people in the country for more than 5 years.

My current plan is to gain this visa and I am checking for confirmation that it's not a mirage / pipe dream. That people are getting it based on the 5-year merit alone.

Is there a large financial requirement? 10 million won? 30 million?

Are people applying basically the day they've done 5 years on an E2 and then how long until the Visa is being granted?

Is there an interview requirement that should be prepared for?

Just trying to make sure there are no gotchas on this one as some other people earlier posted that immigration will never give F visa to people who are not married to Koreans, have Koreans in their family or go the points route.

semphoon · Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Location: Where Nowon is

I'm also very interested in this.

I think the only requirements are - 1, you have been on the same E2 visa for 5 years and 2, your income is 50% more than the average (not sure the exact number).

If im wrong, please correct me.

kardisa · Joined: 26 Jun 2009 Location: Masan

I'm also interested in obtaining this visa. I've tried contacting my local immi office, but could not reach someone who spoke enough English (and my Korean isn't good enough to deal with this type of topic). I'd love to hear from other people who have this visa or who know more about the requirements.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

tick the boxes:
5 years in Korea on the SAME, uninterrupted status of sojourn.
ability to communicate in Korean (interview with the immigration officer)
have demonstrated a positive benefit to Korean society

subject to approval by the minister of justice (MOJ)

I failed twice to obtain this visa (no positive benefit to Korean society - I was just a teacher and not a world cup soccer coach or Superbowl MVP).

.

dethe · Joined: 01 May 2005 Location: Anyang

Revieved the visa this summer. You need a high lvl sponser that is the most important thing. Welseguy is a good guy to go to for information about this topic. He helped me out greatly.

tiger fancini · Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Location: Testicles for Eyes

The previous thread on this (with info from Welshguy) mentions no requirements about Korean language ability or income.

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=203125&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30

We need to hear from someone who got this recently (as in this year), because I will be hitting 5 years soon and have a pretty tasty sponsor lined up. Just trying to think of how to make an impressive essay about what I've done for Korea, and hoping these are the only requirements.

fustiancorduroy · Joined: 12 Jan 2007

ontheway · Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 6:55 am Post subject:

Interesting topic. I've heard there is something similar after 10 years on the same visa, but easier. Is that true? It might be worth waiting for if it is.

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:53 am Post subject:

ttom is dead on here.

The requirements he listed are the correct ones.

Korean language ability is a requirement.

tiger fancini · Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Location: Testicles for Eyes

dethe · Joined: 01 May 2005 Location: Anyang

You do need a sponsor(the higher on the social ladder the better), had to have handed in a FBI check, Degree both apostolized in the past or when you apply. They can ask for many random things such as bank book, housing contract, work contract.....ect. It is up to the officer. The letter needs to be 3 to four pages of why you want the visa. Like Korea is my home, How much i love Korea. Best to make it about how great Korea is. It also needs to be translated to Korean.

I recieved mine in July of last year. Took me 3 weeks. Now I have heard it is taking up to 5 months or more for some people.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

[quote="Daniel1981"]I'm checking in on any updates around the F2-99 Visa that is granted for people in the country for more than 5 years.

My current plan is to gain this visa and I am checking for confirmation that it's not a mirage / pipe dream. That people are getting it based on the 5-year merit alone.

Is there a large financial requirement? 10 million won? 30 million?

Are people applying basically the day they've done 5 years on an E2 and then how long until the Visa is being granted?

Is there an interview requirement that should be prepared for?

Just trying to make sure there are no gotchas on this one as some other people earlier posted that immigration will never give F visa to people who are not married to Koreans, have Koreans in their family or go the points route.[/quote

It's not just five years. It must be five years on the SAME E-2 visa (last I heard) unless it's changed.

dethe · Joined: 01 May 2005 Location: Anyang

If you go in they will tell you if you qualify or not by checking your dates of visa. Then they will tell you " Oh very hard to get this visa". But go for it anyways. Get any and every paper you can think of like bank book, rental contract, your essay sponsor paperwork(they should tell you what that is or Welchguy can give you the name of it.) Application (change of visa status paper work) I believe it is 50,000 plus 10,000. The 10 you give in cash as deposit for paperwork or ID card fee.

After that is done it is no longer a immigration issue. It goes to MOJ for a yes or no. Time frame for application approval has gotten a lot longer since I got mine so can't help you much there. Best advice is to over prepare that way you have all the paperwork on hand and don't have to make multiple trips.

Most important is your sponsor. Can't repeat this enough. The higher the sponsor the better. If you know someone who works in the government even better so.

tiger fancini · Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Location: Testicles for Eyes

dethe · Joined: 01 May 2005 Location: Anyang

They will have the name for the paper needed there. Also the essay should be in both English and Korean. I took both just in case.