Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Derrek]

The job I signed a contract for has now fallen through. They can't afford to hire me -- not enough students. I return to Korea soon, and with no Visa or return ticket, am not sure if they would let me in the country.

I am an American. Would they let me enter as a tourist with no return ticket?

Thanks.

[rudyflyer]

I'd get a ticket out that you can cash out say to Bangkok etc or they may not let you on the plane. Had that problem in 99 when I had an E2 and a one way ticket they almost wouldn't let us on the plane until we convinced a manager

Come back and look for a job and do the visa run. You mentioned there are plenty of jobs here. Why be illegal and run those risks?

[richinkorea]

In my experience it is always the airline that gives you trouble, never immigration. Northwest used to be the worst. The asian lines a little easier.

The key is to be a bit charismatic, tell them a good story (I'm taking a boat to china, I'm looking for a job, etc.) and they will let you on.
Don't push it until you have to.

Or you could take rudys advice, just make sure it's a fully refundable ticket.

I've flown in at least 4 times on a one way, no probs.

[denz]

derrek,

bummer, man. the good korean jobs have a way of doing that.

last few times i have been through immigration (2 consecutive tourist visas) they haven't batted an eyelid. it would be best if you could get your own open ticket home (as evidence). that's what i did. although i have never needed to show it to immigration, the peace of mind is good. if they can see that you have the means to actually leave the country, they'll probably be more willing to let you in. that said, i can't see there being a big problem given how many times in and out i have been on all manner of visas.

alternatively, you can take rudy's top notch suggestion (hey dude, i'm like passing through on my way to BKK, see? - hehe).

the absolute key is stick to the fast immigration queue. beware, to paraphrase apu "the shortest line is the fastest queue, not always". hang back a little and try to work out which guy is stamping like a madman. he's your mark.

second time i came back to korea (way back in the early 2000s), i was in the shortest (re: slowest) line. the official ended up giving me 50 questions on why i wanted to return to korea.

godspeed

denz

[William Beckerson]

Here's what happened to me both times I got stopped by immigration after coming from Canada (They never questioned me after coming from Japan)


Immigration Guy:
"Do you have a work Visa since you dont have a return ticket?

Me:
"My boss told me to come here and he'd send me to Japan to get my VISA next week."

IG:
"Okay, but you cant work in Korea until you get your visa."

Me:
"Okay, I wont"

And I went through. If I was from Pakistahn, I'd have been sent home. Thanks mom and dad for being lilly-white Canucks!

Of course, I'm now in the middle of an appeals process because they rejected my E2 application so maybe I should have borrowed some money to get an open ended return ticket after all.

[Canuck]

Ill be coming back on a one way ticket, but with an F-2-1 valid till May 2004 in my passport. Should I anticipate hassles?