Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ut videam]

Over the past few weeks, several Americans on the forum have stated that their recently-issued E-2 visas were only single-entry. This seemed strange, as I was under the impression that all Americans were issued multiple-entry visas, and my first E-2 (November 2006, issued in Fukuoka) was indeed an M.

So, as I awaited the arrival of my new visa, I was somewhat curious to see whether it'd be another M or whether I'd suffer the same fate as other posters. But, as before, I was issued a multiple-entry.

I'm wondering, why the difference? Could it have something to do with the different visa issuance procedures for public school teachers and other E-2s (university, hagwon, etc.)?

[flint]

The E-2 Visa is your WORK Visa. It has NOTHING to do with re-entry.

An Entry Visa allows you to leave and re-enter the country. It is a separate Visa.

Yes, Americans get an Entry Visa at the same time they get their E-2 Visa, but there is a BIG difference between an E-2 visa and an entry Visa.

[bassexpander]

If you renew your E2 with the same school in Korea, as an American, you are not multiple-entry unless you pay an extra 50,000 to make it so.

This is because it is considered an extension of sojurn, and not a new visa.

Unless things have changed, your first year of an E2 with a school has always been multiple-entry.

Has this changed?

[polonius]

No it hasn't changed. The first year at a school, Americans receive a Multiple re-entry visa. If they extend their visa, they also need to apply for a new re-entry visa, be it single or multiple. The initial re-entry visa is good for one year. If you change school, technically you are receiving a new visa entirely, and thus obtain a multiple re-entry visa along with it.

[Ut videam]

[StephannieK]

In each case of starting a new job, I have recieved a multi entry and my dependant son (f-3) always recieves a single entry.

I was told the treaty agreement that allows American's to automatically get the multi applies only to the worker, not dependants.

[22tea77]

Wish I had seen this thread BEFORE I picked up my Visa!
I am an EPIK Applicant, American, and have an "S" under Entries.
Never even bothered to think about it or notice until someone else here mentioned getting an "M".
Is it possible that "S" means "Sure, you can leave Korea and come back" and "M" means "Must stay in Korea"?

[22tea77]

[Rae]

I asked for a multiple entry Visa but the lady told me to wait. By the end of it, I was just glad she gave it to me the same day. It's single entry.

[Ut videam]

[Jessie41]

I also received a single entry visa for a position through EPIK. I thought this was possibly because I did not submit the original criminal background check yet. It states on my contract that I have to bring it to orientation. Or perhaps it has something to do with EPIK applicants not having an interview at the consulate. I am also curious if all EPIK applicants received a single entry visa.

Anyway, if this is the case, I would rather pay the additional 50,000 won for the multiple entry visa instead of the expense of going to SF (1200 miles away) for the interview.

[Ut videam]

[Jessie41]

[/quote]
I don't think it's related to the issue of consulate interviews. A friend of mine had his visa issued at the Korean consulate in Fukuoka, Japan: no interview, but multiple-entry endorsement all the same.

My suspicion is growing that the difference is related to the different visa issuance procedures for public school teachers and other E-2 applicants.[/quote]

It looks that way. It seems like another poster above had an interview, but was still issued a single-entry visa.

[Ut videam]

Please take a moment to answer my new survey on this topic: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=1SpArjp5b899L1qLlFFLMA_3d_3d

Thanks in advance!

[regicide]