Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Hercule Poirot]

I will be renewing my Canadian passport soon. I've been informed that I must bring my new passport to immigration within 10 days of the date of issue. However, it often takes 3 weeks at the Canadian Embassy in Seoul to process applications. My questions are:

(1) Is the date of issue on the passport the date of application?

(2) If so, what happens if I receive my passport 3 weeks later? Could this be a problem for me with immigration? Are there any documents I could bring to immigration related to the application process that they would accept?

Any responses would be greatly appreciated.

[schwa]

I've done this three times here. Dont sweat it. Get to immi within a couple weeks after actually receiving your new passport & you wont have any problems.

[Stan Rogers]

[young_clinton]

If an emergency occurs you have to have that passport in your possession. Go do your new passport processing now.

[Weigookin74]

Yeah, no prob. Got a couple of weeks at least. Don't sweat it. They usually process pretty quickly anyhow. Use your school as the place to receive the package. Then within a couple of days go over to immigration. If the office is in another place use it as an excuse to get off school early or take the whole day off if you're desk warming.



There's also a photo place that does Canadian style passport photos on the same road as the embassy. (Korean and Canadian photos are different.) Just ask at the embassy; they'll point you in the right direction. Also a good Mexican joint just a short distance past the Photo studio. Great little dive to eat at if you're in Seoul for the day.

[Stan Rogers]

At the Canadian Embassy the passport processing time is a way faster than before. I got a passport done for one of my kids and it only took about a week. They've really gotten their stuff together. Last time I called them and spoke with an officer she was very helpful, made the process easier and saved me some money too.

Stan gives them two thumbs up!

[T-dot]

I have to renew as well.

What exactly did you need for the renewal? I do know that a notary isnt needed anymore.

[schwa]

All here:
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/korea-coree/consular_services_consulaires/renewal-renouvellement.aspx?lang=eng

Its straightforward. I've always found the staff easy to deal with. You dont have to have a guarantor but then they ask for extra references.

[Skippy]

Don't want to type to much. So here is a repost from Waygook in which I explain some of what I did for my renewal.

http://www.waygook.org/index.php?topic=80641.0

To note I was also worried abut the timing. My passport was dated literally 13 days before the 14 days noticed required by law to register. Luckily I had just got the passport and decided to go the next day. Just to be on the safe side I decide to bring my passport receipt showing my application date and also the envelope with the postage date. The person who registered my change did not really care.

[T-dot]

[Skippy]

[schwa]

I've used that photographer up the street from the embassy before, he does an acceptable job but doesnt care if its a nice photo. "Neutral expression" might mean having to show a scowling mugshot at airports for the next 10 years.

Most recent time I went to a good local photographer instead who had no problem interpreting the embassy requirements from that printout from their site & he produced a friendly-looking image. It just needed a date stamp & the studio contact info on the back.

Three passport renewals here & I've never had to produce a guarantor. The embassy made some noise about it being a requirement a couple years ago but they were wrong & backed off that policy. Having one, of course, would please them.

But the new simple renewal process really is quite simple if you can show some valid govt ID from Canada & provide names & phone numbers of a few professional contacts (including foreign friends) in Korea who can vouch for you.

[jvalmer]

Went in to get my passport renewed. Got my pictures at the place the website recommended, just up the street form the embassy. Photos didn't need to be signed by a guarantor.

Went to the embassy in Seoul around 9:30 am. Place was already packed with people doing whatever. Go in hand your bag, and coat, to the security guy, get a number from the machine. Waited maybe 20 minutes was called into one of the small interview rooms. Lady went through my application. For references, you can use any Canadian passport holder in Korea, or Canada. Initially didn't include references/guarantors on my application because on the website it said I needed a copy of their passports, but the lady said just their addresses, and numbers were fine. Paid $269 CDN on one of my Canadian credit cards (holy expensive). Now just waiting to pick up my passport in about a months time.

[Stan Rogers]

Any Canadian passport holder can be a guarantor. If you know another Canadian get them to fill out that part and save yourself some money.

In the case of my child's passport my wife who is Korean applied for the passport and I the Canadian signed as the guarantor. You will need a copy of both your foreign wife's passport and your passport. Total cost for a 5 year passport $100, and I got the passport in one week. (Note: They don't take cash anymore so bring your credit card.)

The officer at the embassy suggested I be the guarantor because I've had difficulty finding a Korean doctor or some professional person who would sign as guarantor in the past.

The officer told me that many Koreans are hesitant to be a guarantor because the word "guarantor" translated into Korean means something like a financial signatory in a banking transaction. This explains why many people like myself in the past had a hard time finding a guarantor.

I'm so happy they simplified the process. The officer was very helpful and professional. Stan gives the embassy two thumbs up!