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Anybody have any problems getting through customs??
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G_Pee11



Joined: 17 Apr 2006

PostPosted: Thu May 25, 2006 12:31 pm    Post subject: Anybody have any problems getting through customs?? Reply with quote

Hey everyone....

I am a Canadian-born Korean, and I have just signed and sent-off a contract to work in Korea. Everything was done kind of last minute, so I couldn't get the school all the necessary paperwork to process an E2 visa prior to my departure; therefore, it was suggested by the school that I apply for an F4 visa when I arrive in Korea, or that they will send me to Japan for a day and process the E2 visa from Korea.

I know as a Canadian I am eligible to stay in Korea for a maximum of 6 months without any sort of visa; however, I only have a one-way air-ticket and no visa, so I can't prove that I will be leaving the country before the allowed 6-months or that I will be working in Korea. As a result, my question is this...... Does anyone know if I will have difficulty getting through customs at the airport? I do have family there, and I can say I'm visiting them, but without a round-trip ticket I'm thinking that they may not believe that.

Anybody encounter any sort of problems at the airport? Any advice as to what I should tell them?
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heydelores



Joined: 24 Apr 2006

PostPosted: Thu May 25, 2006 1:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had no problems entering Korea with a one-way ticket, not even any questions. I did have an E2 visa, however. I'm not sure if that made the difference.
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Grotto



Joined: 21 Mar 2004

PostPosted: Thu May 25, 2006 1:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
I know as a Canadian I am eligible to stay in Korea for a maximum of 6 months without any sort of visa; however, I only have a one-way air-ticket and no visa, so I can't prove that I will be leaving the country before the allowed 6-months or that I will be working in Korea. As a result, my question is this...... Does anyone know if I will have difficulty getting through customs at the airport? I do have family there, and I can say I'm visiting them, but without a round-trip ticket I'm thinking that they may not believe that.



Not exactly accurate!
You need to apply for the 6 month tourist visa...otherwise they issue you the standard 3 month one!

As for entering without a visa....dont sweat it....as long as you have a contact number for your school you shouldnt have any problems.

Remember though that you can get fined and/or deported for working without that stamp in your passport! Err on the side of caution and dont work until you have done your visa run!
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schwa



Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Yap

PostPosted: Thu May 25, 2006 2:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Grotto wrote:

You need to apply for the 6 month tourist visa...otherwise they issue you the standard 3 month one!

No. Unless something changed recently, Canucks get stamped with a standard 6 months on entry.

But thats not your important question. If youre going to have trouble with the one-way ticket, it wont be at Korean immigration -- it will be with your carrier at check-in before you get on the plane. Air Canada especially seems notorious for this. Best have a credit card on hand so you can buy a refundable return ticket at the airport if needs be.
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G_Pee11



Joined: 17 Apr 2006

PostPosted: Thu May 25, 2006 2:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for all the help......yeah I think it might be best to buy a refundable return ticket. People at the consulate here said that I probably won't be able to get on the plane without a visa or a return ticket.
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Wangja



Joined: 17 May 2004
Location: Seoul, Yongsan

PostPosted: Thu May 25, 2006 3:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

And you are confused between "customs" and "immigration".

As somone said, a one-way is more likely to give check-in problems than immigration.

As to customs, they have sharpened up recently on foodstuffs, especially fruit. It's not a big problem, but it adds a few minutes to the exit.
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G_Pee11



Joined: 17 Apr 2006

PostPosted: Thu May 25, 2006 10:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wangja wrote:
And you are confused between "customs" and "immigration".

As somone said, a one-way is more likely to give check-in problems than immigration.

As to customs, they have sharpened up recently on foodstuffs, especially fruit. It's not a big problem, but it adds a few minutes to the exit.


Thank you for wasting your time to correct me on that....much appreciated. I'll also make sure not to bring too much "foodstuffs"??
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ajgeddes



Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Location: Yongsan

PostPosted: Thu May 25, 2006 10:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I came into Korea without a work VISA or a ticket out of the country. No questions asked and they stamped me for 6 months. I would say, don't worry.
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Wangja



Joined: 17 May 2004
Location: Seoul, Yongsan

PostPosted: Thu May 25, 2006 11:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

G_Pee11 wrote:
Wangja wrote:
And you are confused between "customs" and "immigration".

As somone said, a one-way is more likely to give check-in problems than immigration.

As to customs, they have sharpened up recently on foodstuffs, especially fruit. It's not a big problem, but it adds a few minutes to the exit.


Thank you for wasting your time to correct me on that....much appreciated. I'll also make sure not to bring too much "foodstuffs"??


You are very welcome: it's a common enough error for some ...... Cool
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ilovebdt



Joined: 03 Jun 2005
Location: Nr Seoul

PostPosted: Thu May 25, 2006 11:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It will depend on your carrier.
I flew Korean Air, one way from London.

I already had my visa, but if I hadn't of had they wouldn't have let me on the plane or I would have had to buy a refundable return.

I'd err on the side of caution and buy a refundable return ticket.

ilovebdt
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red dog



Joined: 31 Oct 2004

PostPosted: Thu May 25, 2006 11:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ajgeddes wrote:
I came into Korea without a work VISA or a ticket out of the country. No questions asked and they stamped me for 6 months.


Me too, on several occasions. But you never know -- maybe they're getting stricter about these things nowadays.
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Aussiekimchi



Joined: 21 Apr 2006
Location: SYDNEY

PostPosted: Fri May 26, 2006 12:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Doesn't it all depend on the mood of the official at the time?
Sometimes I get hassled, other times I go through without a word.
Immigration workplaces in Korea are just like the roads: Because no one knows the rules they make up their own based on their current mood.
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skconqueror



Joined: 31 Jul 2005

PostPosted: Fri May 26, 2006 12:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

When I flew to Korea last summer, Air Canada (in Toronto) would not let me on the plan without first purchasing a return ticket. They told me the reason was that if Korea refused me entry they would be responsible to fly me back.
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mindmetoo



Joined: 02 Feb 2004

PostPosted: Fri May 26, 2006 1:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

skconqueror wrote:
When I flew to Korea last summer, Air Canada (in Toronto) would not let me on the plan without first purchasing a return ticket. They told me the reason was that if Korea refused me entry they would be responsible to fly me back.


That's a more major problem. If you have the E2 visa then the person should understand why you're traveling on a one way ticket. I think airlines can lose their lucrative landing rights if they send too many easy to catch illegals so they're sometimes quite militant about it.
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ttompatz



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea

PostPosted: Fri May 26, 2006 1:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

mindmetoo wrote:
skconqueror wrote:
When I flew to Korea last summer, Air Canada (in Toronto) would not let me on the plan without first purchasing a return ticket. They told me the reason was that if Korea refused me entry they would be responsible to fly me back.


That's a more major problem. If you have the E2 visa then the person should understand why you're traveling on a one way ticket. I think airlines can lose their lucrative landing rights if they send too many easy to catch illegals so they're sometimes quite militant about it.


This is another well flogged topic... let's put this puppy to rest...

National CANADA (CA) /Embarkation CANADA (CA)
Destination KOREA (REPUBLIC) (KR)
KOREA (REPUBLIC) (KR)
Passport required, or
Certificate of Identity with permission from the Ministry of Justice of Korea (Rep.).

Visa not required for a touristic stay of max. 6 months.
In all cases:
1. visitor must hold:
- return/onward ticket (if not advised otherwise) and all
documents required for next destination; and
- sufficient funds for maintenance; and
- contact address in Korea Rep.
http://www.timaticweb.com/cgi-bin/tim_website_client.cgi?SpecData=1&HEALTH=1&VISA=1&page=health&NA=CA&AR=00&EM=CA&PASSTYPES=PASS&DE=KR&selDest=Korea%28Rep.%29&selTrans=Use+ctrl-key+to+select+or+deselect+transit+point%28s%29+above&selVisi=Use+ctrl-key+to+select+or+deselect+visited+countries+above&Submit=Submit&user=NWB2C&subuser=NWB2C
=============================================
National U.S.A. (US) /Embarkation U.S.A. (US)
Destination KOREA (REPUBLIC) (KR)
KOREA (REPUBLIC) (KR)
Passport required, or
Certificate of Identity with permission from the Ministry of
Justice of Korea (Rep.).
Visa not required for a touristic stay of max. 30 days.
In all cases:
1. visitor must hold:
- return/onward ticket (if not advised otherwise) and all
documents required for next destination; and
- sufficient funds for maintenance; and
- contact address in Korea Rep.
http://www.timaticweb.com/cgi-bin/tim_website_client.cgi?SpecData=1&HEALTH=1&VISA=1&page=health&NA=US&AR=00&EM=US&PASSTYPES=PASS&DE=KR&selDest=Korea%28Rep.%29&selTrans=Use+ctrl-key+to+select+or+deselect+transit+point%28s%29+above&selVisi=Use+ctrl-key+to+select+or+deselect+visited+countries+above&Submit=Submit&user=NWB2C&subuser=NWB2C
==============================================
National UNITED KINGDOM (GREAT BRITAIN) (GB)
Embarkation UNITED KINGDOM (GREAT BRITAIN) (GB)
Destination KOREA (REPUBLIC) (KR)
KOREA (REPUBLIC) (KR)
Passport required, or Certificate of Identity with permission
from the Ministry of Justice of Korea (Rep.).
Visa not required for a stay of max. 3 months for
holders of British passports endorsed British Citizen or
British National (Overseas) passports issued in Hong Kong.
In all cases:
1. visitor must hold:
- return/onward ticket (if not advised otherwise) and all
documents required for next destination; and
- sufficient funds for maintenance; and
- contact address in Korea Rep.
http://www.timaticweb.com/cgi-bin/tim_website_client.cgi?SpecData=1&HEALTH=1&VISA=1&page=health&NA=GB&AR=00&EM=GB&PASSTYPES=PASS&DE=KR&selDest=Korea%28Rep.%29&selTrans=Use+ctrl-key+to+select+or+deselect+transit+point%28s%29+above&selVisi=Use+ctrl-key+to+select+or+deselect+visited+countries+above&Submit=Submit&user=NWB2C&subuser=NWB2C


==============================================
Non-compliance with the entry regulations will result in fines
for the airline and deportation of passenger.
==============================================
In the event that the passenger is denied entry the carrier will be responsible for immediate repatriation/return on the returning or next available flight and a fine of up to 5 million won.


IT IS THE AIRLINE WHO FACES THE RISK IF YOU ARE DISALLOWED AND IT IS THE AIRLINE WHO WILL GIVE YOU A HARD TIME WHEN YOU GO TO GET YOUR BOARDING PASS.

IF you are coming here on a tourist visa, always have either a refundable return /onward ticket or the means to get one if you need it.
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