Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Shadow1]

Hi All,

I have a Khmer boyfriend. I will be teaching in Korea probably early next year. Does anyone know the chances of the Korean government granting him a visa to come visit me? If so, how do I go about arranging it when the time comes? He has a Khmer passport, and said he would have to "interview" at the Korean embassy. If he can't stay long term, that is okay.

Anyone have any info on this? Cheers!

[jaganath69]

Do a search for any of the numerous tourist visa threads for SE Asian partners, I've personally written about my experiences here 3 or 4 times. Oh and BTW, what is a Khmer passport? I'm assuming your fella is Cambodian, in which case he will carry a travel document from that country.

[Shadow1]

Yes, Khmer = Cambodian. But as for travel documents, I thought all that would be necessary would be a visa and his passport. Other than that, all they have is a "family book" for ID.

Since it is a very poor country does anyone know if he will be allowed to visit? I have heard it is very difficult for anyone but rich Khmer to leave the country.

[charlieDD]

Don't know about him being able to get out of Cambodia, but as far as getting into Korea, I have had a bad experience.

A Thai friend, just friend, wanted to visit Korea. His grandfather had actually fought in the Korean War, and he was into the Korean dramas, which are popular in SE Asia these days. Thailand is part of ASEAN, so their citizens are supposed be allowed to visit each other's countries without a visa. He came here on that assumption. Everything was okay . . until . . they asked where he was going to stay and he gave them a letter from me, an American working here on legal status, saying that he would be staying with me during his visit. That was the end of it: They got pissed because to them it appeared that I was saying I was sponsoring him. . . Do a search of my past posts to get the whole story on it.

Anyway, my advice: Have him get the visa. To get it, he will need a Korean person to "sponsor" his trip - - as a guarantor - and the richer or more influential the Korean, the better. Do not even mention he is coming to visit you ! It sets certain sour old immigration aujushis off at the airport. Make sure he carries enough money with him to look like he has enough to get by in the period he says he'll be here. The most important factor though will be having a strong Korean sponsor.

Anyone else want to share their experience; offer advice?

[Shadow1]

Well, it's about as I feared. Not easy at all. I don't know how I could possibly get a Korean to sponsor him, so I don't know if it will work out at all.

I understand their reasons for all of this, I just wish it were not so complicated and difficult.

[ChuckECheese]

[Shadow1]

I must say that this site rocks. I posted this question only a little while ago and already have feedback.

Thanks for all of your information concerning this, and please keep it coming if you know anything about how to deal with it. I really appreciate it.

[Shadow1]

I've been cruising all over the net but haven't found out too much useful information, so I am bumping this back up in the hope that someone call tell me something.

I did find out that in Thailand and Vietnam people can get a visa, no problems whatsoever even on arrival in Korea, but Cambodia is a different story.

I understand that he will have to "interview" and I may be able to provide him with some kind of sponsorship document, but I don't know where to obtain this, and have even tried the embassy websites.

Any ideas folks? I think it's going to be difficult if not near impossible since we are not married. Can anyone shed any light on this?

Thanks!