Korean Job Discussion Forums

[withnail]

Hi guys

Looking to upgrade my visa to be able to legally work a second job on the two days a week I have free from my uni job.


Frustratingly, I don't have enough points for the F2-99 (Points Visa).

Very frustrating! I have been here 9 years. The F2 (Points) Visa is termed the 'long term resident' visa yet there are no points at all for having been a long term resident!!

So I guess I'll have to get cracking on that Social Integration Course and Upgrading my Korean language skills.

But just a question.

I've been reading about the F5. This is the permanent resident visa. I know this is the one married spouses will graduate to after a couple of years on their F6, but can a single person get this?


Seems none of the F Visas really acknowledge longevity in the country at all.



Help me out with your suggestions!

[raewon]

Search for this thread: Update on the F2-S visa Point System
on this cafe and you'll find lots of information.

I think you are confused about one thing. Yes, no points are currently given for your previous length of stay in Korea (this may/may not change in the future). However, granting of the F2 point visa means that you have the qualifications (that immigration wants) and now the permission to remain in Korean as a long term resident. It is NOT proof that you have already lived in Korea for any length of time. As far as I know, if you are qualified (i.e. have 80 or more points), you can apply for the point visa after having lived in Korea for only one year.

A single person can obtain the F5 (영주권) permanent residency visa through the point system. First you need to obtain then F2 and then you need to live in Korea for at least 3 years on that visa. Finally, you need to meet a number of other requirements at that time in order to be able to apply. The current requirements to apply for the F5 visa today may/may not (probably not) be the same as the requirements will be in three years from now.

Have you taken the TOPIK test? If you can pass one of those tests, then you can reduce the length of time required to complete the Social Integration Course. For example, if you can pass TOPIK 3, you can enter the course at Level 4. This change was just made recently, and I have confirmed it with a former Korean teacher of the Social Integration Program.

Good luck... and realize before you start that the path is long.

[matthews_world]

Last time I checked, F2-99 was NOT a points based visa.

You need TOPIK Level 2 and proof that you make over the gross national average (bank savings, key money, contract copy).

4-page essay (translated) on how you've benefited/benefited from S. Korean society.

New apostilled CRC (E and F-visas are in different departments).

Criminal background check from Korea.

Proof of residence.

Perhaps you'll need proof of employment (employment certificate) from 5 years of past jobs or they'll just see them on your record.


I might be mistaken but the integration course doesn't apply for the long-term visa.

[raewon]

matthews_world wrote:

[matthews_world]

The F2-99 non-point visa is what the OP needs to check on.

The checklist of documents I provided earlier was found on the internet. Perhaps the list has changed a bit.


For long-termers (at least 6 years of verifiable work experience), why couldn't they go ahead and give us automatic F-5's since value to Korean society has already been demonstrated. For this F-5, do away with the language requirement and essay and give it to us on the spot. CRC would probably be needed.

[SeoulNate]

Also, TOPIC lvl 2 should be fairly easy. Even from zero Korean you should be able to study for a couple of months to pass the thing, it isn't difficult.

[alongway]

The F2-99 requires 5 years continuous visa though doesn't it? If you've had any gaps between visa then you could have an issue applying for it.

Also if you work at a uni your contract probably stipulates no other jobs anyway.

[Weigookin74]

I'd say just get married. But, I've been here only slightly less time than you and have been so busy with debt repayment, I've tried to avoid marriage the past two or three years. But, my situation might be unusal compared to most expats who either have little debt or default.

[tob55]

[DaeguNL]

[matthews_world]

F2-99 with 5 years or more of E-2 services means that if you have completed 5 1-year contracts then any E-1, 2, 7 etc. would be eligible. It doesn't have to be conclusive (straight in a row).

[alongway]

[matthews_world]

Perhaps with the right immy official at the right time, one could write a nice 'apology' in Korean suggesting the fact that they had completed such service without knowing that any gaps could affect their residency.

If one is polite enough, which one should be since they've been in K-land awhile, they may able to squeeze through.

[swashbuckler]

[Who's Your Daddy?]

One can get permanent residency in Hong Kong after 7 years.

I think the points visa is too restrictive. I think the visa was designed to placate the UN, and Korean government doesn't really want anyone to get it.