Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Jordan123]

Hey all,

I'll be moving to Korea to teach in the next few months and I'd like to bring my girlfriend, a girl from South East Asia, along with me.

I've a one year contract, to teach, but am wondering if it will be relatively easy to get the 90 day tourist visa for my girlfriend, and will she be able to renew it without much of a hassle?

Thanks for any help you can provide!

-Jordan

[northway]

"A girl from Southeast Asia" doesn't tell us enough to help you. Different Southeast Asian nationalities have different visa allowances/requirements for Korea. Where is she from?

[Keeper]

Sadly I think it will be pretty difficult for her to get a visa unless she can prove she has a bit of money in the bank. Is there a Korean consulate/embassy you can visit? They will tell you what the exact requirements are for her to enter the country as a visitor. It varies according to country. The problem is that many people enter the country with no intention of leaving. They come here hoping to find work even if it is illegal. So the Koreans want to ensure they have money in the bank and a return ticket out of the country. You could always marry her and then ask your school for a letter of invitation.

[wings]

Write a letter of invitation yourself, stating your relationship, what she will do here (for example, plan your wedding .....) and showing them how much money you have in the bank. Print out bank statements as well. Have her print out everything and bring it along. You should probably wait until after you are here and you have your ARC etc. She will also need to have proof that she will be leaving the country before her tourist visa is up. So, you'll have to book a trip and have that ticket printed out as well. Wait for her at the airport with your phone ready to answer a call from immigration.

My then boyfriend came here and stayed with me for a year and a half (leaving on vacation every 3 months). He was detained every time, but after talking to me and checking his documents he was always allowed in.

[le-paul]

I symathise with you because I have a foreign gf and we often have these issues (myself or her).
I cant help with your specific OP, but I can say with regard to getting an ongoing flight, go to AirAsia website. You can get ridiculously cheap outward tickets (i got a ticket to Jakarta for 50,000 won which is about 50 US/25 GBP) from there. It can act as a guarantee that shes moving on if needed, and wont waste you both much money.

Good luck

[420bro]

Depends on the nationality. Thai gfs can get a three month tourist visa on arrival without any additional paperwork. I've also known a guy who got his Taiwanese gf a longer visa but there were some hoops to jump through showing a letter of support

[Paddycakes]

Jeju Island is a special tourist zone that does not require the usual visas to get in.

So fly her to Jeju, then smuggle her in the trunk of your car on the ferry to Mokpo, etc.

Works a treat.