Korean Job Discussion Forums

blujeanguy · Joined: 30 Mar 2004

Hey whats up? I'm an American with an E-2. My visa on my passport expires on April 13 but my ARC says April 17. My hakwon asked me to stay until the end of April (plan on leaving April twenty-eight). They said that an extension is not needed because I have 2 weeks after the expiration of my ARC. Is this true?!?!?!

Daechidong Waygookin

peppermint · Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 10:27 pm Post subject:

Yes and no. After your contract endsyou have two weeks to renew without being charged, but that two weeks is only free if you renew. I've heard that they don't appreciate people taking advantage of this, and you might get charged on the way out at the airport.

Wangja · Joined: 17 May 2004 Location: Seoul, Yongsan

No.

An extension may be granted but needs to be applied for in advance.

Do not overstay your visa. It is you who gets the hassle at the airport, not your employer/sponsor.

ajstew · Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Location: Korea

Extensions are granted in most cases if it's just a matter of changing jobs and your visa issuance comfirmation form has been held up due to large numbers. Up to six days I believe.

ajstew · Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Location: Korea

Extensions are granted in most cases if it's just a matter of changing jobs and your visa issuance comfirmation form has been held up due to large numbers. Up to six days I believe.

VanIslander · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 6:13 pm Post subject:

You don't even have a single extra day. Not one. Immigration threatens to charge 100,000 won for every day past your visa expiry date.

I left Korea in December FOUR days after my E-2 visa expired and I was held at the airport for over half an hour and threatened with a 400,000 won fine, which I squirmed out of, but seemed like just barely.

Not a single extra day. Get the official extension.

TJ · Joined: 10 Mar 2003

My visa will expire on the same day as my contract finishes (February 28th). I am booked on a flight out 3 days later. So, I went to an immigration office, explained the situation and showed my air ticket. 30 minutes later I had a ten day extension. Don't know why they gave me 10 days as I only needed 3 days. What's more, it didn't cost me anything.

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

About what TJ said, I've gotten a similar extension with just a form and a plane ticket, but I was told I could only get the easy free extension if I was not planning on working during that extension period. In order to get an extension with permission to workI'd have to pay a fee, submit a copy of the hogwon's business license, a urine sample from myself, the hogwon director and at least 3 of the students I was going to be teaching, etc.

In other words, for the OP's situation, ask Immigration ahead of time what you'll need in order to get your extension.

panthermodern · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Location: Taxronto

NO.

Infact I was give a hassle once leaving Korea 2 days after my visa had finished.

An E-2 Visa allows you to stay 1 year, period.

I have said this more then once:

Unlike N.A., Korea is a land of unwritten laws and often runs as a case by case basis ...

Your visa states one year, the "two" weeks is at the discression of the guy at the airport.

Welcome to confusion heritage societies and the law.

OR

Korea: The land without a manual.

My final say:

Korea is always a land of abstracts; anyone who speaks in absolutes about this place is either a fool or lying.

VC · Joined: 10 Feb 2003

I think there is some confusion between what happens when your visa expires and what happens when it is cancelled. You have two weeks to leave the country if your visa is cancelled before it expires (for example your school fires you and notifies immigration that you've been fired). However, you will get in trouble if you stay even one day past the expiration date unless you get an extension.