Ut videam
Joined: 07 Dec 2007
Location: Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
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 Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:08 am Post subject: Chicago Consulate on the E-2 Interview |
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Earlier this week, I sent the following e-mail to the Korean Consulate General in Chicago:
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I have recently completed my first year of teaching English in Korea as an E-2 visa holder. I have been hired by a university as an English instructor for the 2008�2009 academic year, beginning on March 1, 2008. I have sent my documents (contract, original degree, sealed academic transcript, criminal check with apostille, and E-2 Applicant's Health Declaration) to the university so that they can submit my visa application to the Korea Immigration Service.
I know that the new regulations in principle require an interview for all E-2 applicants (원칙적으로 모든 회화지도(E-2) 사증 신청자). However, they also state that applicants who qualify to submit their applications in a third country may not have to be interviewed depending on circumstances (다만, 제3국에 있는 한국공관에 신청 가능한 자에 대해서는 공관사정에 따라 인터뷰 생략 가능). Since I previously held an E-2 visa and have no history of breaking Korean law (과거 한국에서 교수(E-1), 회화지도(E-2), 연구(E-3)자격 등으로 근무한 경험이 있고, 국내체류중 법위반 사실이 없는 자), I would qualify to submit my application in a third country (제3국에 있는 한국공관 회화사증 발급 신청 가능한 자).
I am now at my home in Kentucky, so I will submit my visa application to the Chicago consulate when I receive my visa issuance number. But I meet the qualifications to submit my application in a third country, so it seems that a personal interview should not be required. I have read that the embassy in Canberra, Australia is omitting interviews for previous E-2 holders. I have also been told that the Los Angeles consulate will conduct an interview by phone for a previous E-2 holder. I live over 375 miles (600 kilometers) away from Chicago. Traveling there just for an interview would be quite difficult and expensive for me. Therefore, I hope that an interview will not be needed. If it is needed, I would like to ask that it be conducted by phone.
If you have any questions, or if you wish to speak to me about this issue, please contact me by e-mail or by phone. I look forward to your response to my question. |
I received the following response today (emphasis added):
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Hello,
An E-2 visa applicant can be qualifed to submit one's application in a third country and may not have to be interviewed only if one has been enterd Korea with E-1, E-2 or E-3 visa more than twice in the past and caused no trouble during one's stay in Korea. Also the Korean Consulate General in Chicago is preparing for interviews using web-camera device and it is estimated to begin around end of Jan. 2008. Please contact 312-822-9485 ext 127 for visa specialist if you have any more questions. Thank you.
Korean Consulate General |
I don't know what this "more than twice in the past" interpretation is based on. It's obvious, though, that there is no consistent application of these new regulations: every consulate is doing its own thing, with no coordination between them. |
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