Korean Job Discussion Forums

fiveeagles · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: Vancouver

My wife and I bought a one way ticket to Jeju Island hoping our visas would be done before we left. Unfortunately, through problems in the documents. We will not have our visas before we leave. The ticket is non transfereable, because of its cost.

Immigration is telling us we have to either have a work visa to enter the country or enter as tourists with a return ticket.

I don't want to buy a return ticket because of the money. If I have to do it, I guess I will, but I was wondering if anyone had some ideas?

Thanks

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Not sure if I'm following you, but you're not flying in directly to Jeju from Vancouver are you? Wouldn't the plane stop in Tokyo or somewhere first?

Anyway, what about buying a an onward ticket Jeju-Osaka (or Tokyo or wherever the cheapest flight out of Jeju is)? Not sure if that would suffice at immigration, but then just cancel it (make sure you didn't buy a non-refundable ticket!) and if you need to leave Korea for visa reasons just take a ferry to Fukuoka.

fiveeagles · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: Vancouver

We have to obtain the certificates which are in Jeju. The earliest they could have them to us in Canada is by July 25th. The day we leave.

I was wondering if anyone entered South Korea as a tourist without a return ticket. Or if there is another option.

plattwaz · Joined: 08 Apr 2005 Location: <Write something dumb here>

It always seems there is more hassle in leaving your departure airport than at the immigration arrivals in Korea.

having come and gone from Korea a few times, I wasn't even thinking about a return ticket (ie/out of Korea) this spring, because I had never I had one before. However, previously I either had my new E2 stamp or was on a vacation and had return entry on my work visa. This time, I was flying in jobless on a one-way, and didn't even THINK about it until two days before I left, which was too late to do anything.

I had my travel agent price out a ticket to Osaka, knowing I would be going on a visa run, but booking it from Canada, the ticket was going to cost me almost $1000 (as opposed to $400 from Korea). I wasn't willing to pay that.....

So, in the end, what she did for me was email me a "confirmed reservation" and she changed the statement at the bottom, where it usually says "not confirmed until payment received" to "PAYMENT RECEIVED IN FULL, RESERVATION CONFIRMED." However, no such seat in my name existed. The printed email was enough to get me through the check-in desk at the airport. I don't know how many travel agents would be willing to do that though, she is someone that I have used for about 5 years now, and previously for corporate travel with old job - so she was willing to help me out.

The other thing I did was email a travel agent in Busan about getting a one way ferry ticket to Fukuoka. Had her email me the confirmation that I had a seat on the ferry, and I didnt have to pay for it until I actually picked up the ticket, although I deleted that from the email (!!). I also printed off this email, and took it with me, in case the fake flight didn't work. Planned to tell them at the check in desk that I hadn't decided if I would fly or go by boat.

Once arriving at the airport, all that immiration said to me was "This time no visa?" and I said, "I'm only here for a short vacation before I book a flight to my new job in Japan...." and she said "OK, have fun in Korea and good luck in Japan!" and stamped me in as a tourist.

The other thing you can do is go to your local Korean embassy and get a tourist visa, although I dont' know for sure if they require a ticket out to give the tourist visa. If so, I imagine the ferry idea would suffice for them?? If you got to the local Korean consulate on Monday, I reckon you would have the tourist visa in your passport in time for deparure.

Cedar · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 3:53 pm Post subject:

I have no ticket out of here, I generally do not. I have never been hassled. Korean law does NOT say you need an onward ticket. That's theairport conspiring with the international carriers to get you to buy more tickets. I have come and gone from Korea many times and let's see on a tourist visa at least 10 times and I have not once had a ticket out of Korea when I arrived here (by boat or plane).

The Bobster · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

fiveeagles · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: Vancouver

Is there a ferry from Jeju to Japan?

What's the cheapest way of travelling to japan from Jeju?

plattwaz · Joined: 08 Apr 2005 Location: <Write something dumb here>

If the reason you're asking that question is frommy suggestion above about booking a ferry to japan as proof that you are leaving....then don't worry about it being from jeju. Do a google search for "busan travel agents" (Or an Dave's search) and one of the ones that comes up books ferries - I just can't remember which agent it is. The ferry leaves from Busan to Fukuoka. Because you're not really going to take it (are you?) it doesn't really matter how much it is.....the ticket doesnt' have to be paid for until you arrive at the ferry,and they will email you a reservation. That SHOULD suffice at the airport check in.

Doesn't matter about leaving from Busan, because you tell them you are going to Korea to travel for a few weeks before leaving for Japan. So, in your "course of travels," you will be going from Jeju to Busan.

Bunnymonster · Joined: 16 Mar 2004 Location: Tokyo

I've come in twice with no onward ticket or visa without any trouble, I'd be most surprised if you do. Then again everything could be different for you.

fiveeagles · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: Vancouver

We will be living in Jeju Island. That's why I am wondering if there is a ferry from Jeju to Japan.

How long does the visa process take in Japan?

simone · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Location: Now Mostly @ Home

Onward ticket?

Hope you have a credit card. Just buy a FULLY REFUNDABLE onward ticket anywhere.

Once you get to Korea, get it refunded. The charge appeared on my credit card, then I was sent a new bill without the charge after cancelling the ticket.

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

DRAMA OVERKILL · Joined: 12 Apr 2005

Zyzyfer · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 9:52 pm Post subject:

#1 - It is possible to come to Korea without an exiting ticket. This depends entirely on the airport you're at and the airline you're flying with. Korean immigration couldn't care less.

#2 - If you have a credit card, get a ticket and cancel it/use it for the visa run when you get here.

fiveeagles · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: Vancouver

It will cost me 160 bucks to cancel the tickets. So I am thinking of just winging it without the return air line. IF they give me problems at immigration then I will go online to buy the ticket.

I'm thinking of taking the ferry to Wado and then a motoscooter over to Busan. Ferry over to Futamako or whatever the hell it is called. Stay with some friends there and then back.

Will I have to bring my wife for the visa run?