Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Patrickgwhite]

I've sent my information into the school in Korea to get my visa insurance number. I need seven days before my flight to send my passport away to the consulate to make sure i get it back in time. If i do not get the visa insurance # in time can i go to japan upon arrival to have it stamped? I read somewhere that you must obtain your visa in your country of origin? Can i just simply decide to obtain it in Japan instead of Canada?

I will pay the extra cost to travel to Japan as I've already got a dog booked on my flight with me and it would be far too complicated to try and change my travel arrangements from Canada to Korea.

My 2nd question, if i enter Korea without the visa is it true, i should not tell them that I am planning on going to Japan to obtain a visa?

Any relevant information is welcome!

[mj roach]

1- Who is paying for airfare?
Will the carrier (airline) allow you to board without a visa and/or return ticket?

2- Yes. You can get your E-2 visa in Japan. Doesn't have to be in your home country...just out of the country (Korea).

3- No need to tell them anything about a 'visa run' to Japan on arrival at passport control.
You'll get a 'tourist' visa
...but you may (almost certainly) be faced with the problem of the 'school' wanting you to work illegally before you do make the visa run.

What will you do with your dog while you make the visa run?

[polonius]

From my experience, if you board a plane in Canada, you will need to show a working visa, or an onward ticket. While I have heard of Americans boarding planes without a working visa or an onward ticket.

I would just tell the school they have to wait until you get your visa. If they were slow in hiring, or getting your info to immigration, you should not be faulted for it, or forced to come in country without the proper documentation. Stay put til you get the visa stamped.

[Patrickgwhite]

Ok, can i use my ticket to go to japan to have my visa stamped as my unward ticket?

will immigration/customs realize that i am planning on leaving to get a visa? I read somewhere that your not aloud to do this, is this true?

[mj roach]

It's a big mistake to get caught up in the k/hakwans' 'hurry hurry' crap.

Who is paying for the flight??

If you come without a visa, they may have you work illegally for a few weeks and then decide there is something/anything they don't like about you and dump you in the street.

Make sure you have enough to take care of yourself for the time it takes to find another job....they are not likely to pay you or help you in any way.

'Onward ticket' means a ticket 'leaving' Korean.

So, yes...If the carrier requires you to have one, get an onward ticket to one of the visa run cities in Japan (check out the 'visa run' thread in the travel forum)

Immigration is not going to care about your plans to do a visa run...
it is 'allowed' (again.. read the visa run thread)

[biggpoppa]

ok first of all you need to get on your recruiter or whoever for that visa issuance #...i emailed all the time about it and told them that i needed it by a certain date...they kept trying to tell me the same thing, oh its ok if you don't get it right away, we'll just send you to japan blah blah blah...but i kept pressuring for it and wouldn't you know it, i had my visa issuance # on the last day possible to make it in time for immigration to give me my e2....but ya, in canada, 5 working days is standard for a visa from korean immigration

trust me its not worth the hassle of working illegally until you get your visa sorted out....but since your flight it already booked...i'd say just keep bothering your recruiter for the issuance #