Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Hosub]

Hi, I was looking around and the search option doesn't seem to be working properly at the moment.

That being said, I have a few questions on the F-4 visa application process.
I was born in Korea and naturalized as an American a few years back in 2010. I'm 25 at this time. My parents are both Korean nationals; they're divorced and my mother has a greencard.

1] Does my parents being nationals disqualify me from the F-4?

2] What also concerns me is this clause in the "Overseas Korean Act"
Exceptions for F-4 Visa
"2. Where a Korean man loses his nationality and becomes a foreigner by acquiring foreign nationality for the purpose of evasion of military service."

How do they determine my purpose is for draft dodging? Does it actual follow the letter of the act and look for a purpose or just disallow all male gyopos who naturalized as I did for the F-4?


Thanks!

[amoonbot]

Since you're 25, I'm assuming you were born in 1987. Age wise, you qualify for the F-4 visa. To answer your other questions.

1. If your Korean parents are still nationals and are not current citizens of the U.S., you do not qualify for the F-4 Visa. One of the requirements for obtaining the F-4 visa is that one of your parents (mother or father) has to renounce their Korean citizenship. This can only be done if either of them possesses a U.S. citizenship. I'm not entirely sure if a permanent residence/green card can qualify but I don't think so. However, it doesn't hurt to ask your nearest/home Korean consulate.

2. Regarding military service, you are only obligated to do so if your name is on the hojuk (family registry). This can be easily checked by either asking your parents if they or your grandparents ever put your name up on the registry OR if your parents don't know, you can phone a relative (such as an uncle) and have them check the family registry. If your name is on the hojuk, you can try to get it removed by a family member but if you can't, you will be required to do military service.

First things first. There is a slim chance you qualify if your parents are still Korean nationals, so I would look into that problem first. If your situation works out, then the military problem comes next. Good luck.

[Hosub]

I see, thanks for the information.

[Hosub]

Could you point me in the direction as to where it states a parent has to relinquish Korean citizenship? It can either be in Korean or English.

I looked it hikorea and the ministry of justice but I'm not sure if I'm looking at the right places. The consulate wasn't clear and was inconsistent with their information (as you may well know). The Mokdong immigration official as well didn't make a commitment to rejection or acceptance as well.

[amoonbot]

Hm, before anything, you should make sure if your parents are able to renounce their Korean citizenship. I'm pretty sure your parents would have to be citizens on another country (in your case, the U.S.) before renouncing their Korean citizenship. I'm not sure if a green card/permanent residency qualifies.

http://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/InfoDetailR_en.pt

"A person whose one side of parents or grandparents who once possessed Korean nationality, who have attained foreign nationalities.
- Passport and copy of passport(page with photo)
- A photo (size 3.5cm * 4.5cm)
- Application form
- Domestic Residence Report of Foreign National Korean
- Document which proves the fact that his or her immediate ascendant was a Korean citizen
- Basic registry of loss of Korean nationality (If removed after 1.1.2008)
or Certificate of loss of Korean nationality (If removed before 1.1.2008)
(China Koreans who don't have basic registry or certificate of removal from family registry are required to submit ID card of China or Hokuben and Overseas Koreans residing at former Soviet Union area are required to submit birth certificate and passport.)
- Document(s) which proves the reason, date, month and year of acquiring a foreign nationality of oneself and one's immediate descendants. (ex. copy of citizenship certificate)
- Document which proves the relation of ascendant and descendant (ex. birth certificate)
- Fee : 60,000 won(10,000 won for residence report card + 50,000 won for change of status)"

Although your mother has permanent residency, her nationality is still Korean. She can only renounce Korean citizenship if her nationality is now another country's. Again, I would check with immigration or the Korean consulate. Try calling again. You get different answers, trust me.

[methdxman]

amoonbot, no offense, but please do not give advice to people on this forum, you're totally misleading this guy.

This guy is not trying to get the F-4 visa through a parent or grandparent but rather through HIMSELF. He was Korean by himself, and he obtained a foreign citizenship through naturalization himself, which means he himself was ONCE a Korean citizen.

The F-4 process has nothing to do with his parents nationality anymore, but rather his own. HIS PARENTS DO NOT HAVE TO RENOUNCE THEIR KOREAN CITIZENSHIP.


Hosub, just go to the hi korea website and look for requirements for F4 under:

Required documents for change of status to Overseas Koreans(F-4) status.
※ The documents deemed necessary for application procedure may increase or decrease.
A person who had had Korean nationality and acquired foreign nationality.

Passport and copy of passport(page with photo)
- A photo (size 3.5cm * 4.5cm)
- Application form
- Domestic Residence Report of Foreign National Korean
- Documents which proves the fact that he or she had Korean nationality.
- Basic registry of loss of Korean nationality (If removed after 1.1.2008)
or Certificate of loss of Korean nationality (If removed before 1.1.2008)
※ A person who didn't report loss of Korean nationality, he or she is required to report loss of nationality first and will be eligible for change of status to Overseas Koreans status (F-4). CAN DO THIS AT EMBASSY/CONSULATE/MOKDONG or wherever with your naturalization certificate

- Document(s) which proves the reason, month, date and year of acquiring a foreign nationality (ex. copy of citizenship certificate) Naturalization certificate
- Fee : 60,000 won(10,000 won for residence report card +50,000 won for change of status)
※ He or she must apply for the residence report card when apply for the change of status to Overseas Koreans (F-4)status.

Bear in mind you need to find your registry somewhere in Korea to show that you were Korean. Your old Korean passport isn't enough.

[Hosub]

Kinda like a heaven or hell response here from both of you.

I'm guessing you were in a similar boat methdxman?

Well, thanks for the info, I appreciate it, truly. I was seriously worried about my prospects.

[methdxman]

[bucket]

OP, I'm in a similar situation as you.

I've came to Korea on a travel visa (90days) and applied for an f-4 visa on site @ Mok-Dong office.

I was born in Korea, immigrated, waived military duty, obtained citizenship, and came over to Korea for a job. However, they gave me a hard time because both of my parents still had green card. Despite me having a foreign citizenship and did not obtain it to avoid military duty.

They wanted copies of my parents' green card and passport, for reasons I can't tell and wouldn't explain to me for full comprehension. Perhaps, I missed out... doubt it tho.

I've applied about a week ago and will call #1345 to see if my ARC # came out. If it has been assigned, it means I will get the visa & arc, etcetc.

If not... well, I'll think about that afterwards. Regardless, its important that you get copies of your parents greencard and passport IF they BOTH haven't yet obtained citizenship.

[Hosub]

Hey I'm real sorry for the late reply.

Its been a few weeks since your post, but I wanted to clarify. I received it and my father was a Korean national without a greencard even.

I received my card without a problem within 3 weeks. You should probably get it soon.

As for greencard photocopies from your parent(s), yes you're right, I had to have it on hand for my application.

[overdrive2023x]

OP what state do you live in? Call all the Korean embassies around you to get an answer, because when I was getting my F4, the embassy closest to me said straight up that I couldn't get it. But then another embassy in my same state said I could do it and had all the right documents. So just call and explain your situation, and see what each one says.