Korean Job Discussion Forums

greyhound · Joined: 10 Jun 2016

The recruiter said the criteria for getting a visa (E2) is having a degree conferred, having graduated from a university/college and things like that.

Anyway, It's a week and I've been told the visa is definitely happening. Some people round here reckoned I wouldn't get one so I don't know why people say things they don't really know.

JohnML · Joined: 05 Jul 2015

greyhound · Joined: 10 Jun 2016

Yeh I know like that American guy CentralCali. he obviously hasn't read this thread. He went off on a right tangent on the other thread saying you need a bachelor's degree to get a visa for Korea. he states the obvious. Like I said, he can't have read this thread else he wouldn't be going on and on about bachelor degrees. Laughing

greyhound · Joined: 10 Jun 2016

well it's midnight here in the UK and 9am in korea. Start of the 2nd week now processing my E2 visa. I can't believe it takes so long to get a visa number. I hope to get the result by Wed at the latest as immi said 10 days. Not long to go though. It's gonna happen, I feel it's going to be issued. They would've rejected the paperwork by now if they weren't going to issues me with a number. How much does a visa cost in London anyway? and do you have to go down to that flippin London place yourself or can you post it to them? or can you use an agency? Razz

Aine1979 · Joined: 20 Jan 2013 Location: Incheon

Check the Korean embassy in London's website, that's where you will get the forms to apply for your visa etc, and they also list the fees for the visa.

You can do it by post. Just make sure you include a prepaid self addressed envelope for them to return your passport with the visa to you. You can buy a Special Delivery envelope at any post office, it will arrive much faster and you can track it so you know when it is on the way.

No need to use an agency, you would just be paying them a fee for something you can do yourself in exactly the same amount of time. The visa takes 5 working days from the day it arrives with the embassy, so if the application arrives on (for example) a Tuesday, your passport with the visa in it will be posted back to you the following Tuesday. Even if you go in person, it still takes 5 working days. The only exception to this would be if there are any Korean holidays during that time, which would extend your wait as those aren't working days.

greyhound · Joined: 10 Jun 2016

Bloomin hell. I thought they'd stamp it the same day. Why's it take 5 days to stamp a visa? You can get a thai visa much quicker than that. If they won't stamp it the same day, I'm sending it by post. I'm supposed to start on the 11th as well. Crying or Very sad

Aine1979 · Joined: 20 Jan 2013 Location: Incheon

You're not going to make it for 11th, but your employer should be aware of that at this stage. If you don't get the VIN until Wednesday, the soonest your documents will get to the embassy is Thursday. If they start processing it that day, they'll send it back Thurs 14th and you'll get it Friday 15th. So most likely it'll be Monday 18th before you're able to start working.

I arrived a week later than intended, just make sure you get an amended contract when you go to immigration for your ARC with dates reflecting a full year (from the day you started) or you won't qualify for severance.

Aine1979 · Joined: 20 Jan 2013 Location: Incheon

candy bar · Joined: 03 Dec 2012

CentralCali · Joined: 17 May 2007

pmwhittier · Joined: 03 Nov 2011 Location: Korea

Also, this probably means that you won't make lead teacher until August 1st. It will also push back the date of your owning the hagwon by at least 2-3 weeks as well.

I feel sorry for the students...

greyhound · Joined: 10 Jun 2016

greyhound · Joined: 10 Jun 2016

Hey guys!

I just got an email from my recruiter and I got the visa number Laughing

This means they accepted my graduate diploma with a letter accompanying it as equivalent to a bachelor's degree Laughing

Now I have to go to the embassy in London. Think I might post it but then again I don't trust passports in the post.

See y'all in Korea for a pint. Cool

Aine1979 · Joined: 20 Jan 2013 Location: Incheon

Good that the accompanying letter worked and they'll accept degree equivalents. Use Royal Mail Special Delivery 9am, it will get there tomorrow morning and is the safest way to send a passport through the post. Unless London is convenient for you, postage is a lot less hassle.

greyhound · Joined: 10 Jun 2016

The Korean embassy told me to get a single entry visa. It cost £90, well actually £100 as there' a fee to pay for a postal order. You have to get your residency card in Korea apparently. This has cost me about £160 altogether getting this v isa. The company should pay me back but I don't think they will as it doesn't say in the contract they will. Thank god there's a free flight and accommodation out there. If I'd gone to Japan instead, I'd have had to pay for the flight and deposit one month's rent in advance. Korea seems a better deal.