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Marcilla
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
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Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 2:54 pm Post subject: Visa?? omg help I'm a n00b |
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Hello again
I was pretty surprised to find that looking professional in my photo was more important than the content of my resume.. maybe you guys have some more revelations for me
:*D
I have my american passport, but what else do I need to get into Korea? What are these "visa"s and how do you get one? And why do you go to Japan to get them? |
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TiGrBaLm

Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Location: Hubcap of Asia
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Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 3:10 pm Post subject: |
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hi,
im a noob too, but ive been doing alot of research so....
you need a Visa to enter a country to do something, in this case work and be an english teacher
once you apply for the plethora of jobs out there and find one you like you give your approval to whomever is on the other side and they will process all your paperwork, to do so they will need your original degree (or a notarized copy), your transcripts, your passport and a signed contract so they can show korean-immigration proof that you arent some bum off the street trying to get a job. Anyways once all that stuff is processed you will have a nice sticker in your passport saying that you can enter korea for 1 year and teach english (thats the E-2, most common, visa).
Now going to Japan to do a visa run is only needed if you are applying from within Korea. So no need to worry about it.
Thats the basic gist of it, im sure i missed some things
Wakatta?
Ganbatte nee
Also check out the FAQ section, specifically this thread:
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=20656 |
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Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994
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Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:31 pm Post subject: |
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Anyways once all that stuff is processed |
TiTrBaLm covered everything. Thought I'd add a detail:
After you have accepted a job and signed the contract, you will be sent a visa application form to fill out. You'll send it, along with your passport to a Korean consulate near you (check the internet for the address). They will put the visa stamp in your passport and send it back to you. Then you can come work. |
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Marcilla
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 12:14 am Post subject: |
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all right, sweet, thanks again
I read most of that FAQ thread, but some of it seemed outdated and I just wanted people to spoon-feed me so I'd be sure
:*D |
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cruisemonkey

Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 12:29 am Post subject: |
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You do not need to (and should not) send your passport to Korea. A photocopy will suffice. |
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Homer Guest
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 2:36 am Post subject: |
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To get your E-2 work visa, you need:
1- Copy of the picture page of your passeport
2- Degree (notarized or the original)
3- Pictures (1 or 2?)
4- Sealed transcripts
5- Signed Contract
Best of luck. |
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AbbeFaria
Joined: 17 May 2005 Location: Gangnam
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 8:27 am Post subject: |
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Homer wrote: |
To get your E-2 work visa, you need:
1- Copy of the picture page of your passeport
2- Degree (notarized or the original)
3- Pictures (1 or 2?)
4- Sealed transcripts
5- Signed Contract
Best of luck. |
I just sent my stuff off yesterday, I was told to include two passport sized photos, not print outs, so you'll need to go to a post office, Walgreens/Walmart or a Kinkos like I did, and get the pictures taken. I was also told to have three photos. Two to send to Korea and one to keep for later, but I wasn't told why. Since they only come in sets of two, I had to pay for two sets.
-S- |
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lbellamy
Joined: 12 May 2003 Location: Incheon
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 2:49 pm Post subject: Photos |
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PHOTOS: You'll then need 2 photos for your alien card (you get this here in Korea at your local Immigration office after your visa).
And your employer might have photo ID cards, and want to stick your picture on their website (another photo) and so on.
To get a 6 or so passport sized photos done at a studio here is only about $15 and there's one in every shopping center. Or some subway stations have photo booths ($4-5). Presentation counts a lot here: So I recommend using a studio. Most will do it on the spot. |
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tomato

Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Location: I get so little foreign language experience, I must be in Koreatown, Los Angeles.
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 3:04 pm Post subject: Re: Visa?? omg help I'm a n00b |
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Hello, Marcilla!
Quote: |
What are these "visa"s and how do you get one? |
You only have to go to Japan to get a new visa if you were already in Korea and got a new job.
Quote: |
And why do you go to Japan to get them? |
I just got back from my latest visa run, and it was no pleasure trip.
I don't see why they can't take care of the whole thing right here in Seoul.
If anyone knows the answer to Marcilla's question, please write back. |
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desultude

Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Location: Dangling my toes in the Persian Gulf
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 3:05 pm Post subject: |
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Homer wrote: |
To get your E-2 work visa, you need:
1- Copy of the picture page of your passeport
2- Degree (notarized or the original)
3- Pictures (1 or 2?)
4- Sealed transcripts
5- Signed Contract
Best of luck. |
I now keep a small supply of professional photos of myself all of the time. The local photographer here can do a nice one for pretty cheap, and you just buy a stack of passport size ones to keep on hand. I always keep several in the back of my passport cover (some countries you travel in require them for visas and that sort of thing), and have some with my job application files, as every time you send off a job application, one is needed, also you need your own photos for a K driver's license. I never have used them in the States- here I need a photo fairly regularly. |
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desultude

Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Location: Dangling my toes in the Persian Gulf
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 3:06 pm Post subject: Re: Visa?? omg help I'm a n00b |
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tomato wrote: |
Hello, Marcilla!
Quote: |
What are these "visa"s and how do you get one? |
You only have to go to Japan to get a new visa if you were already in Korea and got a new job.
Quote: |
And why do you go to Japan to get them? |
I just got back from my latest visa run, and it was no pleasure trip.
I don't see why they can't take care of the whole thing right here in Seoul.
If anyone knows the answer to Marcilla's question, please write back. |
To keep Korean travel agents in business?  |
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Marcilla
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
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Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2005 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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All right, thanks a bunch for the tips, everyone
I got a haircut, a nice shirt, and a tie, and now I'm going to head over to a walmart or something and get a stack of fancy photos
So when I apply for a job, I'll e-mail the resume/cover letter/photo, and once I have an offer, this is what'll happen, as I understand it:
- They'll send me a contract, which I'll sign and send back
- They'll probably mail me plane tickets, which I'll use to head over at the agreed-upon time. When I get to Korea, I'll be able to get a tourist visa on the spot using my passport
- In Korea, I'll take a signed copy of my contract, a copy of the photo page of my passport, some photos, my sealed transcripts, and a copy of my degree over to some office in Korea where I'll get an E-2 visa
- I'll start working |
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schwa
Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap
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Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2005 4:11 pm Post subject: |
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No. You must obtain your E2 outside Korea.
Most straightforward to get it at the embassy or consulate nearest you before flying. If you come with no visa, yes you will get a tourist stamp on arrival, but will need to go to Japan before you can legally work. |
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desultude

Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Location: Dangling my toes in the Persian Gulf
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Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2005 5:27 pm Post subject: |
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Marcilla wrote: |
All right, thanks a bunch for the tips, everyone
I got a haircut, a nice shirt, and a tie, and now I'm going to head over to a walmart or something and get a stack of fancy photos
So when I apply for a job, I'll e-mail the resume/cover letter/photo, and once I have an offer, this is what'll happen, as I understand it:
- They'll send me a contract, which I'll sign and send back
- They'll probably mail me plane tickets, which I'll use to head over at the agreed-upon time. When I get to Korea, I'll be able to get a tourist visa on the spot using my passport
- In Korea, I'll take a signed copy of my contract, a copy of the photo page of my passport, some photos, my sealed transcripts, and a copy of my degree over to some office in Korea where I'll get an E-2 visa
- I'll start working |
You get your visa outside of the country, when you get here you go to immigration and get your alien registration card. Your ARC is your all important document you keep on you and need to show for things like banking, and if a cop gets the notion to ask you (I think this seldom happens, actually). |
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Marcilla
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
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Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 7:40 pm Post subject: |
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ohh, I understand now
okay, thanks again |
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