Korean Job Discussion Forums

[I-am-me]

wow...how did people stay with the same employer or 5 or 10 years? I been here 7 and max with one employer was 4 yrs.

[dethe]

It doesn't have to be same employer, just must remain on the same visa.

[Welshguy]

[artunltd]

I just got a sponsor for my F2-99 visa. Can some one tell me how long it takes to process this with the MOJ? I have heard anywhere from 3-6 weeks.
Also, when you apply do you have to surrender your ARC to Immi when you apply? I want to go back to the states on the 22nd of Dec. and don't know if there is enough time to do before I leave. Can I leave and come back to Korea without my ARC card?
Thanks in advance

[Welshguy]

[tkdjenn]

Got my F2-99 in January.

Below are the current requirements.

1) 5 years on an E2 Visa. You can have had more than 1 employer during this period as long as you haven't left the country on a Visa run. I.e. transfered your E2 Visa to a new employer in Korea by means of a release letter.

2) You need a Korean to sponsor you (Preferably someone in a higher standing. Doctor, dentist, lawyer, manager of company. Normal employee could be used, but you know how status in country works!)

3) You need to write a letter in English and then get it translated into Korean. Topic "What I have done for Korea in the past and what I will do for Korea in the future." Not that difficult. Just butter it up with good facts and waffle. It must be 4 A4 pages long.

4) Any additional certificates or qualifications that you may have. Tesol certificate or Master's would be great.

5) Take a Korean with you for the application. Just in case they throw a curve ball in your direction.

6) Korean language is not a requirement, (see point 5 above.)

7) Immigration cannot make a decision on this Visa. It will get sent to the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) who will decide.


I just went to immigration yesterday to see about getting the F2-99, and this is what I was told

- The MOJ will decided, but you have to have a certificate from him for something outstanding you have done. After that, he will choose weather or not he will accept you for the visa.

Not once did they mention about having to have a sponsor, any documents, or the like.

Then they asked me, "Are you planning on immigrating to Korea?" I'm like, "Yes"

His reponse was, "You can marry a Korean"

Maybe it is easier for a guy to get the F2-99 than a woman?

[naturegirl321]

[raewon]

tkdjenn wrote:

[pacificman]

I just got back from immi (Mokdong) trying to apply for the F2-99 visa. I want to write this now, while it's fresh in my mind, and hopefully the fact that I'm still thoroughly pissed won't show through in my post.

As I'm a business owner on a D-8 the rules seemed a little different than for E-series: 7 years instead of 5, and no clear rule about "same visa type". Without giving all the boring details, I was borderline on this requirement. However, I was highly confident that my overall package showing my career, company, money invested, import/export record, etc., once reviewed by MOJ, would have a chance at approval. After all, this is supposed to be a "special" visa. I prepared a 100+ page application in 30-some sections, properly indexed, with consise summaries. Basically all information needed for F2-99 along with the kinds of company information normally presented at D-8 renewal.

At first, the office barely glanced at the book, looked at my ARC, and started talking about language requirements. I showed my "level 2" KIIP placement score from the February test, and also tried to confirm my understanding that language was not a requirement for F2-99. Then I got the surprising information - "that was before the big regulation changes in April". Just my luck - I spent three months preparing my package (I have a real job, too), and the rules change during that time!

She told me that F2-99 now requires TOPIK level 2. But, in the only good news I received today, I was told that my level 2 KIIP score would count as TOPIK level 2. Wow, that really surprised me, but I kept my mouth shut.

However, after lots and lots of discussions with my business partner and one staff member who helped me prepare the package, it just wasn't to be. The kicker seems that these F2-99 visa packages are no longer passed up to the MOJ for review and decsion, and I felt this was the only possible chance I would have at being approved. She told us they are now decided on-the-spot there at immigration. And based on my experience today, the rules are firm and inflexible. Making me wonder if there is anything "special" about the F2-99 anymore. Had I known that, i wouldn't have even bothered to apply, knowing how strict the immigration officers about the rules (I mean, the rules of the day).

I didn't get a chance to ask if these April changes impacted other F2 resident visas - I think they might. She went over some of my other options (which I'll be eligible for in a year), and it looks like a few things have changed since I began studying these resident visa rules back in the Winter. I'll go over that information in more detail after I've calmed down in a few days.

Ah, to add insult to injury... when it was clear that I was not going to get the F2-99, I asked if they could at least take action on my D-8 visa and renew it early (I have 6 months left, but the official rule says it can only be renewed 2 months ahead of time). Frankly, I think it the renewals could have been handled there at that desk, she would have done it. But, she told us we had to go across to the investor desk. There, the fellow just flat out refused. It must be done within 2 months, no exceptions.

Overall, a bad day at immigration. But then again, every time I go to immigration it's a bad day, so I guess I can't complain too much.

[naturegirl321]

Wow, that really stinks. I was really hopeful that I could get my F2-7, but I doubt it. I don't have a contract since kimmi took that. The money I make isn't in my contract because it's overtime. And the points for volunteering and overseas experience are vague, seemingly on purpose.

I can't believe they turned you down so fast after all that hard work you put in. espeically with the 100 page app.

Changes? TOPIK 2? Anything else they want now? And now it's just up to some guy at immi who can approve or deny you on a whim? Lovely.

What are your other options?

[Son Deureo!]

[pacificman]

Well, to be fair, and I've had overnight to sleep on it and calm down, the situation really isn't different than any other visa. So in that sense, nothing's changed. For me, I was a borderline case by the strict rules, and that's why I opted to try the F2-99, because it's special. The rules were deliberately vague, and it appeared that one was judged by the one's overall merit and contribution to Korea. That's what appears to have been lost here.

The other frustrating point is that because of the physical environment, the officer didn't have time to read my application. I'm not talking about all 100 pages, but my introduction and essay, for example. Just by nature of the application process there in the big hall, she didn't have time to understand my contribution to Korea. In all fairness, that appears to be the new way.

My true beef I suppose is that the rules changed mid-stream and I didn't know it. And that they changed in such a sweeping way as to basically eliminate the special nature of the visa.

I'll post some more when I've had a chance to understand the other options she provided me. I think at least one item has changed in my favor.

[Buddah's Slipper]

Does anyone know how pension compensation is handled after securing the F2-99 Visa? Can you 'cash-in' on your pension, then receive the new visa, or will it continue to accumulate until you permanently leave the county?

[naturegirl321]

[TexasChicken]

Whats the difference between the F5 and the F2-99 now that income and TOPIK are required?

If I pass TOPIK level 2 I'm afraid they will change the rules again.

T.C.