Korean Job Discussion Forums

Lion Brown · Joined: 06 Sep 2005

Has anybody applied for this visa in Suwon recently (as in the last few months)?

I turned all the paperwork in, including passport and ARC, about a month ago. I called them last week to find out how long it will take (they said they would call when it was ready), and was told that this visa takes 2-3 months to process.

I know this is not the case in Seoul; 2 weeks seems like the norm there.

I just wonder if anybody else has had major delays in getting theirs done in this office?

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

F2-1 takes 2-3 months???

Mine took 10 minutes 3.5 years ago!!

Lion Brown · Joined: 06 Sep 2005

I don't need to hear that!!! (fatu here)!!

Things may be different there now.

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

Oh... sorry dahlink.. I will shut up and let someone else answer! Wink

Teufelswacht · Joined: 06 Sep 2004 Location: Land Of The Not Quite Right

As with anything involving Korean immigration, each office does its own thing. There is no standard nationwide. Some require financial information, some don't. Some offices will only give you an initial 1 year visa, some 2 years. Some require a home visit by inspectors, some don't. The processing time can vary greatly between offices and even between individuals at the same office. Etc., etc. etc. Even within the same office there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to why certain things happen or don't happen. I'm sorry, but I know nothing about the Suwon office.

You may have run into a problem with increased scrutiny, and a longer wait, because of a recent series of news reports concerning "faked" marriages involving Korean women and Chinese and/or SE Asian men.

The only advice I can give is to just roll with it. Keep checking back, be nice and polite and everything will should out --- eventually.

Best of luck.

weatherman · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: Korea

As long as the paper work is in order, then it shouldn't be more than two visits. One to fill out the paper work and submit it, and the second to pick up your new F2-1 card.

Lion Brown · Joined: 06 Sep 2005

skconqueror · Joined: 31 Jul 2005

I got all the documents together, went there in July, and the whole process took 10 business days. It was an easy process.

Lion Brown · Joined: 06 Sep 2005

skconqueror · Joined: 31 Jul 2005

Hollywoodaction · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

It's strange, but don't worry. It's not as if your application will get turned down.

rok_the-boat · Joined: 24 Jan 2004

Took me about an hour a couple of years ago - and aI left with the new visa = no return trip.

Lion Brown · Joined: 06 Sep 2005

I'm not worried, just frustrated i suppose.
Lucky i wasn't planning to leave the country over the holidays, as it would have been difficult without a passport.

There were hundreds of Chinese-Koreans getting visas at the same time as i was there, so i reckon they are inundated with paperwork. 'Bout time they did some work, eh?

bellum99 · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: don't need to know

Suwon has had my passport and id card for over a month now to process my F5 visa. I called today and they couldn't tell me anything on the phone. They said "wait".

The one guy there is a real d11ck.

Japchae · Joined: 03 Oct 2003 Location: South Korea

I applied December 1st at Suwon Immigration and was told it would take at least two months to process. My wife has called to check on the progress, but was met with the same answer of "please wait". It really depends if the other applicants are legit since they're dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Any problems with a case that is before yours only delays your processing time.