Korean Job Discussion Forums

madtinkerer · Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Location: Gumi, South Korea

Hey,

My visa runs out on the 27th of July but the only flight I could get out of Korea leaves on August 1st. Has anyone had problems with immigration over this lately? Normally I wouldn't care, but I'm coming back to a university job and the English department's director made it pretty clear that he woulldn't put up with any immigration problems. I had a Korean friend contact immigration for me, and they said I would have to come to the office (about an hour away), have an interview and pay a visa extension fee if I had a valid reason for extending. Sounds like a bunch of red tape I'd rather ignore if I had the chance.

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

I'm slightly confused. Your visa ends august 27

But you want to leave august 1st?

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

If you mean to say that your flight leaves September 1st, but your visa ends on August 27th the solution is simple enough. Go to your immigration office before August 27th with your passport, ARC, and plane ticket showing when you're leaving and there should be no problem with getting an extension of up to 30 days as long as you won't be working during that time. There may also be a small fee (W20-30,000ish) It's a pretty routine request.

You're definitely better off playing it safe than risk getting busted for an overstay. They might not allow you to come back if you have that marked in your passport.

Sleepy in Seoul · Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2005 6:08 pm Post subject:

If you are not going to be working after your visa expires, you could go to Immigration and change your visa from "work" to "tourist". I've done this, and as far as I can remember it's free and it takes bugger-all time to complete the paperwork. It's another option in addition to extending your work visa.

Gollum · Joined: 04 Sep 2003 Location: Japan

Just go there and get the extention. I have never heard of them coming to your office. But either way, you must pay the extension fee and get it done BEFORE your visa expires. Otherwise, problems are imminent.

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

Very simple...take your airplane ticket to immigration and apply/pay for an extension.

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

Hiya,

I overstayed my visa by one day and now want to go back to Korea and work again. Does anyone think I will have any trouble getting a new E2?
That said, I came back to Korea about a year after I first left and got a tourist visa with no problems at all.

Thanks