Korean Job Discussion Forums

hari seldon · Joined: 05 Dec 2004 Location: Incheon

I'm an American teacher who's overstayed three weeks past 90 days on a 30 day tourist visa. (Plane ticket was bought and immigration paperwork filled out for a visa run etc. almost three months ago, but I was too ill to fly and subsequently the hagwon developed cash flow problems...)

I'm leaving for Osaka in a couple days. Will there be questions, fines etc.? Will I be dragged away and thrown into a dark, dank dungeon? Will I be shoved out of the back of a black sedan at The Bridge of No Return? Rolling Eyes

TIA

kangnam mafioso · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: Teheranno

Be prepared for a verbal reprimand, a delay and probably a fine. My advice: get to the airport EARLY to take care of it -- or visit an immigration office before your departure date. I was at the end of a year contract with a visa that had expired by ONE day. I was already running late for my flight to Europe and had to go to the immigration office for a "lecture." I was very polite and after a few phone calls, the agent let me go board my flight. I was the last one on the plane.

everydavid · Joined: 26 Aug 2004 Location: dans la lune

the official fine can actually be 100000 won per day overstayed. Shocked

This rarely happens, but they may ban you from entering the country for a certain amount of time, up to 3 years from working legally is one fine a friend of mine got. Another who overstayed by 20 months (!) got a slap on the wrist and banned from entering for 6 months.

I wouldn't worry though but take kangnam mafioso's suggestion and get there early. Wink

bosintang · Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 9:11 pm Post subject: Re: could be bad

shawner88 · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

I would suggest going ti immigration ahead of time in Seoul and seeing what they can do. Then again, they might detain you there and feed your to sea urchins like they did another guy.

Hollywoodaction · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

The maximum is 100000 won per day, but there must be some kind of cap on the total amount. I think the size of the fine levied against you would be up to the discretion of the immigration officer that processes your case. You should have thought about that before overstaying your visa.

hari seldon · Joined: 05 Dec 2004 Location: Incheon

I appreciate the thoughtful advice. Today my boss visited Incheon immigration and he was told that some kind of exception applied since we already had the blue sheet in hand. I don't know. Perhaps it means he isn't subject to a fine, but I'll still be hassled...

bosintang · Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 10:03 pm Post subject:

hari seldon · Joined: 05 Dec 2004 Location: Incheon

Thanks again for all of the thoughtful suggestions.

Here's what happened: despite my overstay--almost 120 day on a 30 day tourist visa--I wasn't hassled or fined because the Certificate of Visa Issuance or "blue paper" (which is valid for 90 days) was unexpired. Some kind of exception to the rule applied. What a relief...

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

Congratulations!