Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ScribeAbroad]

I did a quick skim of topics and didn't see anything on this, so sorry if it's a repeat.

Apparently the Korean Consulate in Chicago lost (or misplaced) a batch of passports and visa apps that arrived last week (including mine). I spoke with the consulate today for a few minutes and they said they'd get back to me asap, though it didn't appear my info was in their computer (awesome sign).

I spoke with my recruiter and she made it sound as though my going to the consulate in Chicago wouldn't be helpful unless they had already process the app. So, my question is, does anyone know if there are any reasons why they wouldn't go ahead and process the app if I show up, or if they only do that when you show up to turn it in?

I'm supposed to ship out on Saturday morning and Chicago is an 8+ hour drive away.

Any info, or other questions, is greatly appreciated.

[ttompatz]

[Evanzinho]

[newb]

Someone should report this incident to the US state department so they'll learn to treat foreign passport with care.

[ScribeAbroad]

ttompatz - Fair point. I was working on the assumption they had found them by now, guess I should've thought of that. So you're saying they won't accept a forehead-stamped visa? And, yes, of course, I bought my tickets already. As a noob I did what my recruiter said to do. I didn't receive my contract til the 4th, mailed the app out on the 5th, supposed to be there next week. Not trying to make excuses, I'm just not real sure what I'm supposed to do in this situation.

Evanzinho - Yeah, I don't know how it happened either. I just know my stuff arrived at the Consulate and that there were at least a few others, working w/ the same recruiters, who's stuff went missing too. My recruiter made it sound like they'd found them, but I don't know if that's the case. Or how she would know.

newb - I'll look into that, but somehow I doubt much will come of it...


I'm just gonna call em back first thing in the morning and hope for the best I guess. Thanks for all your input.

[alwaysbeclosing100]

[carsta62]

Oh man... I feel for you ScribeAbroad. Ttompatz's forum link will show you the situation I went through with the Chicago consulate earlier this week. Thankfully my passport was sent out yesterday. I know of at least 3 other people who are having similar issues with the Chicago consulate.

I hope they find your passport and get your visa to you before Saturday!

[ScribeAbroad]

carsta - thanks, appreciate it. yeah, read through your thread, i'm glad it all worked out for you!

[young_clinton]

I sent my passport approximately six months ago to a Saudi Agency (Atlantic Travel and Limousine). I have yet to recieve my passport back in spite of the fact that I'm obviously not getting a teaching visa for Saudi Arabia (due largely to the twits at the Saudi Cultural Mission). I intend to write this up further on this site and other websites in time, especially concerning the money that I spent in the endeavor. Anyhow I will just cancel the passport and get another one. I wouldn't even want to as much as handle my old passport even if it were sent back.

[lynnli]

Consulates are horrible. The routine stuff they do, you would think they have a better system.

[ScribeAbroad]

Update:
I received my passport today. The MOE had to contact the Consulate to get them to send it. (Why they were holding it is beyond me. To be a-holes, maybe?)

Which is great, except my recruiter dropped me because I wasn't willing to drive 200 miles through a blizzard yesterday to take a flight to SK that wasn't even booked.

Which I found out today when I told her my passport finally arrived. Thanks for the heads up, right?

Go figure.

[Troglodyte]

[I-am-me]

Good reason why its a bad idea for teachers to buy their own tickets. You cant trust recruiters.