Korean Job Discussion Forums

craash

Is it true - there is no need for the "blue slip" from immigration to obtain a visa in Japan now?? and rather instead just a "visa insurance number"

It sounds more convenient - but has anyone done this before (that is travelling to Japan - with just visa issuance number and not blue slip?

Seems like a more convenient way for recruiters/schools to just send an e-ticket and visa issuance number to a teacher - and not have to go back to collect things from immigration - or meet the teacher to give a "real airline ticket and a real "blue slip"....

kermo · Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 8:48 pm Post subject:

My department head does not, in all likelihood, know how to obtain this "visa issuance number" and the website I've read are not helpful to me (maybe foreigners don't apply for them, so they don't publish it in English).

Is anyone familiar with this process?

MixtecaMike · Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 9:37 pm Post subject:

We got one of these for a Canadian teacher (it was a rush job, and we are not close to the immigration office) and he got his visa no problem in Fukuoka. Almost no problem, the guy mistyped or misread his name and it didn't appear on the first attempt.

I also got these for my wife and kids, took them to the Korean embassy in Guatemala who had no idea what they were. They did issue the visas (eventually) although about two months after arrival in Korea the school got a call asking how my family entered Korea, where did they get their visa number, etc. but nothing ever came of it.

BigBuds · Joined: 15 Sep 2005 Location: Changwon

The visa issuance number has been around for a little while now. It replaced the old visa issuance blue form.

So, yeah that's all correct. Just take your passport and that number to a Korean consulate, and Bob's your uncle.

kermo · Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 2:15 am Post subject:

MixtecaMike · Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 3:38 am Post subject:

kermo · Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 6:47 am Post subject:

Here's an important bit of info for those of you who are joining schools unfamiliar with the visa process.

I was sent to immigration to apply for a visa issuance number, and after waiting for two hours, I was told that the teacher can't apply. Insist that your school gets the number for you.

Once you've got the number, it's up to you to apply from outside the country of course, but don't waste your time prior to that point.

khyber · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Compunction Junction

of special note for EPIK teachers:

My friend and myself have just returned from a visa run. We were both applying for EPIK jobs in Busan.
We submitted our degrees and transcripts once we were accepted for the job, The superintendent gave us a piece of paper called a "Notice of Appointment".

To get our E-2 visa, we both brought:

*2 (original copies) of our contract
*Notice of Appointment paper
*6000Y
*3 passport pics (only used one)

and that's it.
NO problems. I've been stressing out this for a week.
So, in case anyone else is worried, that is all we needed to bring.

seoulsucker · Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 9:43 pm Post subject:

Just did a visa run a few weeks ago using the new number system, worked like a charm. I submitted original transcripts, copies of my diploma and my passport, a few photos to my recruiter and it (the visa number) was available after a week.

In Osaka, I presented the currency stamp, 2 photos, my passport, and the number written at the top of the form and I got my visa overnight.

chicagorick · Joined: 25 Mar 2006 Location: 1060 W. Addison

I sent all my documents via US Postal Service Global Express (about $40 cheaper than FedEx/DHL etc. and the same amount of time); a week or two later I had a visa issuance number which I took to the Korean consulate in Chicago with one 2X2 photo and a fee of $45. I will be dropping by tomorrow morning to pick up my visa.

blackjack · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: anyang

i just got my visa in osaka and i can help woundering why does it take two days and if it does then why can't you drop your passport off in the afternoon.

You have the visa issuance number which means you have been pre-approved for a visa right? So it takes a full afternoon and morning to stick the visa into the passport? couldn't they just type the number into a computer, yes/no, stick the visa in and then your off.

Does anyone know anyone in immigration? cause i am dying to know

chicagorick · Joined: 25 Mar 2006 Location: 1060 W. Addison

I'm guessing, at least on my end, the Korean Consulate in Chicago has a backlog of applicants, and they need a couple of days to shuffle the papers from one desk to another and maybe even lose your application in the process. lol

ambvalent · Joined: 25 Feb 2005

I just went through the consulate in Chicago as well, using these new magical numbers, and everything went well. I expressed my documents to them with a return prepaid express, and I got it on Saturday after mailing it last Tuesday. It helps to badger them. Wink

curiouswd · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: St. Louis, MO

has anyone ever called an immigration office to check on the status of their application? is that considered to be bad manners? it's been about a week. i'd like to wait until i get my visa # before i put in my letter of resignation at my current job (in the US) and book my ticket to korea (for september). i'm mostly just anxious to make sure everything is official. =)

ambvalent · Joined: 25 Feb 2005

I think it's okay to call to check status...not a big deal.