Korean Job Discussion Forums

joshuafaw · Joined: 21 Nov 2006

I was told to turn in my alien registration card to an immigration officer when leaving Korea tomorrow. Can I give it to immigration at the airport, or do I have to go to that dang office, the location of which I can't recall.

Dodgy Al · Joined: 15 May 2004 Location: Seoul

give it to immigration at the airport

joshuafaw · Joined: 21 Nov 2006

Thanks buddy!

dbee · Joined: 29 Dec 2004 Location: korea

How compulsory is that exactly ?

I'm leaving tomorrow and I'd prefer to just take my card with me. What's the ramifications of not handing it in ?

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

Just say that you lost it, forgot it, or that your director asked to keep it. They won't make you pay and won't keep you here!

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 6:40 pm Post subject:

xtchr · Joined: 23 Nov 2004

princess · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: soul of Asia

cmr · Joined: 22 Mar 2006

A friend of mine had his in his checked suitcase... so he still has it, but ended up paying the 100,000 Won fine.

oneofthesarahs · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Location: Sacheon City

I have a friend who just left, and after immigration asked to see her card, they just handed it back to her, so she still has hers.

I wouldn't mind keeping mine for a souvenir, but I'm not willing to pay the fine. So if they give it back, awesome. But if not, I'm not going to throw a fit.

kermo · Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 6:44 am Post subject:

It depends on whether there's still time on your work visa. If you say you're coming back, you can just buy a multiple-entry permit. If you're clearly just finishing your contract, then be prepared to hand it in or pay a fine. I lost mine and had a police report to prove it, but had to pay anyway (and missed my flight while I waited in that office.)

heydelores · Joined: 24 Apr 2006

I left my contract early in May and went home for five weeks before starting a new contract. They asked to see my card at the airport, but they handed it back to me, probably because I had a roundtrip ticket, still had ample time on my old visa, and hadn't started the paperwork for my new one yet, so it looked like I was just going on vacation. It's an interesting souvenir, I guess!

Samantha · Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Location: Jinan-dong Hwaseong

As I understand it also depends on if you leave before your visa expires.

A couple of years ago my friend left 3.5 months into her Visa due to health reasons and the school going under. She had no intention of coming back to Korea (she had double walking pneumonia). At the airport she said immi looked at her passport and her ARC gave it back to her and said something to the effect of how you return soon. Three years later and she still has hers. She occasionally uses it as another photo id in the states.