Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Zyzyfer]

Is this an established requirement now? I always dread calling up immigration to ask because you will never get the same answer - and you usually get the worst answer. Figured I would post about it here.

I was at immigration yesterday to extend my sojourn for another year and had prepared the same documents that I've collected for extensions the past couple of times. And the lady took me by surprise a bit when she asked for either a copy of my lease, or a bill in my name. A fax was acceptable and the Mokdong office at least has a fax machine set up specifically for this.

Thankfully I was able to resolve the situation without having to make an extra trip there. And I don't find the request particularly bothersome in and of itself. It was just that I wasn't expecting to be asked for proof of address, and was fortunate that getting a bill faxed to me was painless due to sheer dumb luck.

Also worth noting that presenting a bill requires your own name to be listed. I briefly mentioned to the lady that - in my experience, at least - utility bills for residences where foreigners live tend to be in someone else's name, but inevitably thought it best not to push the issue.

[FriendlyDaegu]

Yeah, these things are up to the whims of the office as they try to combat this or that kind of fraud. I wish they'd just stick to the requirements listed.

I got asked for pictures of my office a couple years back.

[YTMND]

[Zyzyfer]

[Stan Rogers]

New requirements from them are often in response to foreigners messing around.

[Skippy]

[SeoulNate]

ugh were bills really fine?

My situation in there last month was all kinds of strange.

They have a copy of my apt lease on file and the woman told me that they need another copy of it, despite the fact that I had just given it to them like 6 months before this new rule went into effect in October.

It was the strangest thing I have seen at immigration.

Wish I would have known that a bill would have worked, I went to the Budongsan and asked them to print me out a few things when ended up sufficing.

Immigration

[Troglodyte]

Immigration should normally have a copy of your lease on file. It would have been necessary when you originally got the ARC.

Whether or not they ask for proof of where you live is up the the individual officer that you deal with. That's been the case for years now. In most cases, if you simply tell them that you're not changing address, they'll believe it, particularly if you're only asking for a few months extension (but sometimes even if you're asking to switch to a D10). Technically speaking, even if you were behind on paying the rent and/or your lease was up, the landlord couldn't LEGALLY boot you out without a court order, which would take a while to get.

Depending on the officer, you may be able to use other stuff as proof that you're living somewhere for the sake of extending a visa. e.g. bills in your name from things other than utilities (if your utilities aren't in your name), other mail addressed to you. I've also heard of people using a hotel address or even a rented postal address as proof of a place to live while transferring to a D10. In most cases (as far as I've heard from people) immigration usually just takes your word for it when you say that you're not changing address.

[ibeattheborg]

I extended my contract for a year just recently. Immigration wanted a copy of the housing contract/lease. I didn't have it of course because the school pays for that. The guy updated my ARC but he gave me a form for my boss to fax back to him with the contract for the officetel. I assume my director did this:)

[Zyzyfer]

Well I guess it is an "official" requirement. I'll toss a copy of the lease and a bill in my packet next time around just in case. Yesterday was the first time proof of address had been requested, so it's good to know.