Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hogwonguy1979]

A heads for folks who are planning to get their visas in the US. You now need both a sealed transcript AND your diploma when applying for a visa in the US even if you have a visa issuance number. This applies even if you just went through that verifcation of degree rigamoral

I was lucky when I told them immigration in Seoul had my diploma, they let that go.

thank you David Kang and all you losers (teachers and owners) who have screwed up the system for all of us legit teachers

[Hater Depot]

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=50442&highlight=

[hogwonguy1979]

[Hater Depot]

I see I left it out there. But they had actually told me to bring everything, including my contract.

[BigBlackEquus]

My American friends will find this interesting. Especially one co-worker, who plans to call the Chicago consulate and either verify or debunk what you have stated here. What consulate did you use?

So you're saying sealed transcripts and diploma? I'd say the transcripts requirement (a second time after they were required to get the # anyway) is definately a bit over-the-top.

[hogwonguy1979]

[BigBlackEquus]

Tonight, my coworker called the Korean Consulates in Chicago and in Houston. New York's number was not correct, apparently.

He spoke directly with the people in charge of issuing the work visas for teachers.

In Chicago, you need only your number given by immigration (this means you have already gotten your degree/transcripts approved in Korea or by a consulate previously). You need to fill out a form, provide a passport photo, and $45. Also, you must give them your passport. They will process in 3 to 5 days. NO TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED, provided immigration in Korea has already looked at them and issued you a number.

In Houston, the exact same thing, only they want you to bring your degree with you. AGAIN, NO TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED if you already have the number from immigration in Korea.

He asked very specifically about this.

Perhaps you are confusing the process. If you intend to do everything from the consulate office in the USA, you must first get your degree and transcripts approved there, and then send them (or a notarized copy) off to Korea, so immigration in Korea can issue you a number. Once you have that number, you DO NOT need to provide your transcripts YET AGAIN.

[hogwonguy1979]

[BigBlackEquus]

You aren't following me. I'm saying that nothing has changed.

You said that Americans need to verify transcripts at the consulate again, even after they have received the E-2 application number (used to be a blue paper, but now it is just a number) from immigration. As I have proven, this is not true.

As has always been, if you need to complete all of your visa process paperwork from your home country, you need to call your consulate, or any consulate, and find out which consulate you must deal with. Then ask them what papers you need. Some differ slightly, so that is why you must call ahead. Sure, they need to verify your diploma and your transcripts, just as they would here.

In short, your thread has not told us anything new, and there is no reason to be alarmed if you follow the rules given by your consulate.

As for only your consulate in your area working with you, there is nothing strange about it at all. Obviously, they will be more familiar with the local universities. I also doubt an American from New York would try to get a New York drivers license in Chicago.

[OiGirl]

[OiGirl]

[OiGirl]

And, is THIS the process we are talking about:
http://www.koreanconsulate.org/english/Affairs/index4.asp

Can the document be notarized by a Notary Public NOT in the state where the university that issued the diploma and the consulate are? I.e., can it be notarized in the location where the diploma and diploma holder now reside, and then sent on to the consulate?

[Hater Depot]

I was told that notaries public cannot do it anymore, they will only accept it being notarized by a Korean consulate.