Korean Job Discussion Forums

[The Sherriff]

Hey, Does anyone know what documents are required to get an ARC for an F4 visa holder once in Korea?

I've been reading that a copy of both Parents Hojuks are needed but on the Korean immigration site it just says "Basic registry of loss of Korean nationality", which I have for my Mom only.

I'm a Canada born Gyopo, and submitted my F4 applicaiton a few days ago showing lineage through my mom, since I still have some family in Korea on my moms side, and thus it was easier to get a hold of my moms documents. All of my dads side of the family emigrated to Canada before I was born, and My dad also passed away in 2004. As far as I know my dad's side doesn't have any family relations back in Korea. Gramps was basically an orphan, and I don't really know of any on with my Grandma, but few people on dads side have gone back to Korea to visit since the early 80s.

When I apply for my ARC, do I need a copy of my Dad's Hojuk, or can I just show my mom's Hojuk? I may need to ask for one of my Uncles (on dad's side) to provide me a notarized 'Power of Attorney' out here in order to get a copy of their Hojuk. I don't actually know if they've kept any of their documents from Korea, so getting even their original citizenship numbers might be a bit tricky, and I'm looking to fly out in a few weeks, so I'd like to get this sorted now.

I'll be in Seoul, so I guess I'll be applying for this in the Seoul Immigration office. If anyone knows about the procedure, can you let me know?

Thanks!

[Freakstar]

[The Sherriff]

Cool, thanks for the info!

I'll probably bring copies of what I already have anyways, it won't hurt.

[Ibsen]

Sorry to bump an old thread, but I'm currently in the same situation. I know the op probably wont see this so long after the fact, but if anyone else has advice or opinions, it would be greatly appreciated.

I've been in Korea for about 3 weeks now and have been trying to figure out how to get my ARC for the past week or so. Before I left, the Korean embassy in LA told me that I wouldn't need to bring the Hojuk with me to Korea because it wouldn't be necessary to get the ARC and that it was only needed for the visa. Once I got to Korea, I called the immigration help line to ask and make sure what documents I needed before I made the 1 hour trip to Seoul. Well low and behold they tell me that I DO need a copy of the Hojuk in order to receive the ARC. Okay no big deal, so that night I had my mom scan over a copy of the Hojuk and I printed it out at work. All was fine, until the morning I was set to head out to immigration I called one more time just to make sure (I'm paranoid like that). Well good thing I did because now they are telling me I need an Original copy of the Hojuk that was issued within the last 3 months... Okay wtf, even if I had my mom mail the original Hojuk to me, it would be worthless since it's 6 months old by now. So now I'm alone in Korea trying to figure out how to get an original copy of my Hojuk... Ugh... Any advice on this situation would be greatly appreciated.

[wishfullthinkng]

[slasher]

Technically, those with F4 does not get ARC. They get something called Domestic Residence Report card. There is no difference in use between this and ARC or a korean residency card, but it looks different and it is beyond me why they bother to differentiate between those. Once you have F4 approved, getting the card is just a bureaucratic process with no more review.

You can print out your family register at nearest community service center which is abundant everywhere. Cost 1000won each, the problem is probably for them to find that registry in the computer (and to convince them that you have the right to obtain a copy of that one) but if you can show them the one you have, they should be able to find it quickly.

[viciousdinosaur]

One thing to note if you are a male who was born after 1988 and is younger than 32, you may have to complete your military service if you register for an F-4 visa. That's the rumours I've heard reading pages on Dave's.

[sml7285]

[slasher]

Presumably that is less of a problem for F4 applicants as you need to show that you/your parents have renounced the Korean citizenship at the time of application.

[sml7285]