Korean Job Discussion Forums

[seoulunitarian]

I am renewing my contract at the same public school, and want to get my visa renewed without going to Japan. My school administrator took my passport and ARC card to the immigration office, but only came back with a one year renewal on the back of the ARC card - no new visa for my passport. She says this is all I need. Sounds a bit fishy to me, but she insists. Do I need a new visa in my passport, or will the ARC renewal do just fine? What if I want to travel out of country? Will the airport immigration accept the renewed ARC card, or will they look for a renewd passport visa? I need to learn Korea

Peace,
Daniel

[JacktheCat]

Nope. you're all set.

You're not renewing your visa, you're "extending" it for another year.

Same visa, just different ARC card.

[kprrok]

But, if you plan on leaving Korea, make sure you get a re-entry permit. You can get one at the airport before you leave. No problems.

KPRROK

[Wangja]

Immigration ask for passports not ARC cards.

The stamp in your passport is in fact a "re-entry" visa, whether single or multiple entry, valid for a certain period, usually the same date as your ARC.

I would be ill at ease without that in my passport. Certainly, if you want to leave and re-enter before the end of your contract you must have one.

[FUBAR]

Let me check my passport when I get home. I renewed at the same hogwan before. Definately right about the new ARC. Not sure if they stamped anything in my passport though. But, I'll get back to you for sure later.

[schwa]

Visa & reentry permit are 2 different creatures requiring separate forms & fees.

Your reentry permit must be stamped in your passport & up-to-date to be valid. Big trouble trying to get back in without it, whatever your visa status.

Your visa, on the other hand, does not need to be updated in your passport, as long as your ARC is current. Immigration at the airport will look at your passport & your ARC.

[Wangja]

[schwa]

OK I guess I assumed they wanted to see it & always hand it over with my passport. In any case, I've been thru immi many times with my passport visa stamp years out of date & its never been an issue.

[seoulunitarian]

[Wangja]

That explains things. That was your original (single) entry visa prior to getting your ARC and is no longer needed.

There should be a stamp in your passport with a date the same (or around) the date of expiry of your ARC.

[Billy Pilgrim]

[Billy Pilgrim]

[schwa]

I went to immigration today to get my renewal. (I got a text message on my phone last week to remind me it was coming due.)

They gave me a stamp in my passport this time I've never gotten before, called "Permission for extension of sojourn period" with the appropriate dates. First time in over 5 years I've had a current visa expiry date noted anywhere in my passport. They also updated the dates on the back of my ARC of course, which I suspect is still sufficient in itself for getting through immi at the airport. Cost 30000 won.

(Amused to read on the stamp that my period of sojourn is "extented.")

I got a re-entry permit stamp in my passport at the same time. You fill in a separate form with much the same info & check a box for single (30000 won) or multiple (50000). I usually step out of the country a couple times a year so I always just go with multi & dont have to think about it again.

Of interest to teachers in government programs maybe, I mentioned I was working in different schools this year. They said, quote, "It doesnt matter" & made no note of it. This echoed my supervisor's reassurance when I changed schools.

I guess the fuss about original diplomas & sealed transcripts doesnt apply to renewals. These folks have never seen either of mine & didnt mention it.

On a tangential note, I quite enjoy my annual visit to my local immi office. The office here is cool, calm, & convenient, I'm always the only customer, & the young woman who processes me is cute, cheerful, & speaks good english. Eat your heart out, Seoulites.