Korean Job Discussion Forums

[quadra87]

edit

[schwa]

My daughter (mid-20s, Canadian) stayed with me for nearly 6 months, took a short trip to Australia then waltzed back in no questions asked. "Family" might be a good stated reason -- highly doubtful they'd check.

She never registered for an ARC & no one ever questioned it in her comings & goings.

[Pyongshin Sangja]

What sort of reason do you give for your extended stay in Korea (as much as I love Korea, trying to keep a straight face while claiming that 6 months wasn't enough time see it all seems almost impossible )? --They won't ask. Say you are a monk studying at a monastery. Say you are living with your rich girlfriend.

If you are a Canadian staying on the 6-month tourist visa, did you apply for your alien registry card (seems to be some uncertainty regarding whether this in required)? --No. I had 5 tourist visas in a row.

Do you need a special visa to study Korean at a language institute (not one of the regular university programs---maybe a good reason to give for an extended stay)? --Yes. That would be a student visa. It allows you to work part-time. Once again, you will not be asked.

If I have an old E-2 visa from last year (contracted completed with no problems), a tourist visa from this year, and then attempt to reenter on another tourist visa, will I face extra scrutiny from immigration at the airport (some people have told me that as long as I haven't overstayed my visa and do not mention work, then I won't have any problems)? ---No. Why would you? You are a tourist. You are a tourist. You are a tourist.

[Canucksaram]

From my experience, and the experience of some Canadians I know currently living in Korea, I believe that:

1. Canadians in Korea on six-month tourist visas do not need ARC cards. Some airline staffers don't know this, so you might be questioned when checking in for an outbound flight.

2. Re-entering Korea on successive tourist visas is typically not a problem, but you just might be the unlucky one to be stopped or questioned or even denied entry.

Note: some folks are never asked for proof of onward travel when arriving in Korea, while others are asked all the time. I guess it depends on the Immigration officer who processes you.

Anecdote: an acquaintance of mine who stayed in Korea for about two-and-a-half years on successive tourist visas told me that he was questioned by an Immigration officer on a recent trip out of Korea to do a visa extension run. He was asked why he was in Korea for so long, what he had been doing, etc. After giving his answers the Immigration said something like "you can't come back to Korea any more. Next time you have to have a proper visa," while fiddling with his computer keyboard. My friend then had the incredible bad luck of being pickpocketed while in Thailand, and so had to get a new passport. When he flew back to Korea there was no problem. Get the picture?

Cheers,
Canucksaram

[Michelle]

Hey There,

They seem to be getting more and more lax, huh?

Should we be worried that they are letting all kinds of criminals and other strange foriegners in on Tourist visas or even work visas.

I can't remember the last time I even had my luggage checked when I went through the 'nothing to declare' gate at Incheon. Geez.

[quadra87]

edit

[paul]

No problems whatsoever. I've been in and out of Korea at least six times and never been asked for anything except my passport. On more than one occasion I had no onward ticket.

I beleive the reason for this is there is nothing illegal about it.

[igotthisguitar]

[igotthisguitar]

[peppermint]

I'venever been asked either, now that I think of it, but if you want to be safe, book a trip to Japan on the ferry from Kangsan travel in Busan.

[Ekolye]

Hmmmm, is the above a recommended method for us Canadians to use, or is the E2 the smart way to go for a first timer? I guess I should expand, how much extra risk would this entail to an already risky crapshoot called signing a contract with a hakwon from overseas?