Korean Job Discussion Forums

falco · Joined: 26 Nov 2005

Anyone know what the penalty would likely be for overstaying on tourist visa? Mine expired on the 4/7. Just bloody well forgot about it.

Troglodyte · Joined: 06 Dec 2009

I'm not sure but I think it might be about 100,000 Won per day. Not sure where I heard that though. If you call immigration they would probably tell you. In any case, it's probably best to do a visa run ASAP before the fine gets too big.

If you've been here for a long time on tourist visas, making visa runs to nearby countries every 3 months, then it may raise some red flags. That would probably affect you more when you returned though, not so much on departure.

Mountain Mama · Joined: 20 Feb 2010 Location: South Korea

I know of a guy that recently overstayed his visa-free period. At the airport they said that he had to pay a fine before they'd let him leave. He was 6 days over and supposed to pay 600,000 Won, but the let him off with 200,000 Won and a warning.

On a side note, it did NOT make any problems when he returned (the next day). He said they didn't even ask him any questions when he came back. Just stamped his passport and waived him through.

Hokie21 · Joined: 01 Mar 2011

Yes it starts at 100,000 a day.

luckylady · Joined: 30 Jan 2012 Location: u.s. of occupied territories

you can go to your local kimmi office and explain the situation and beg for pity/mercy so maybe they won't fine you but you will definitely have a letter put in your file - I know - a mix up had me overstaying an E2 several years ago by 2 weeks - I was stopped when I tried to leave - long story short, just a letter, no fine but it's in there (my file) forever.

if you try and deal with it at the airport you could come up against airport personnel who might raise a stink - since they always check your pp before issuing a boarding pass - it's just likely to be more trouble than its worth.

since you know, and asked, the safer bet is to go to a kimmi office first.

(and yes, I went on to have many more Korean visas no problem)

falco · Joined: 26 Nov 2005

postscript: Got through immigration at the airport without any questions or drama or anything. Still cant quite believe it. Went straight up to the counter and and stated point blank that I had overstayed my visa. The guy dealing with me just smiled, stamped my passport and waved me on my way. Same when I went through customs. The Gods must have been with me methinks.....lol.

Mountain Mama · Joined: 20 Feb 2010 Location: South Korea

There are a lot of people on this forum who don't know what they're talking about and like to make it sound the end of world if you make a minor transgression with immigration. They're usually the same people who think you'll get arrested for quitting a job early.

falco · Joined: 26 Nov 2005

Overstaying a visa CAN create many problems. As many others have pointed out, in their dealings with Korean govt officials, it usually boils down to whether or not the person who is across the counter is having a bad day or not. As I said, I think I was just lucky. If I do it again, I doubt I would have the same good fortune. Smile

luckylady · Joined: 30 Jan 2012 Location: u.s. of occupied territories

I'm just curious what airline did you fly and what happened when you showed them your pp?

maybe you got off light since it is a tourist visa.

Zyzyfer · Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:22 pm Post subject:

Yeah sounds like you lucked out!

falco · Joined: 26 Nov 2005

Flew Korean air both there and back. I stated upfront when I went to the Immi counter at the airport that I'd overstayed and the clerk there just gave me a kindof smirky smile, then stamped my passport. I was expecting to recieve a lengthy fine a the least! No idea at all why I got off so light.