Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hexagonsun]

I just encountered how notoriously horrible the Chicago Consulate is and now I have to delay coming over to Korea for one week (which actually gives me a little more time to collect my head, read, research, watch another week of LOST [Jacob terrifies me], etc). I should have paid heed to the warnings of the ones before me on this board and called sooner because the spots do fill up quick and from what I understand they are vastly under staffed. Good thing I live in the city and not hours and hours away like many others. God bless the ones who do make the trek. Anyways...

For those who have gone through this consulate. How long does it take from interview to visa in hand? Any other info I or any future Visa seekers to this particular consulate should know?

My interview is on a Friday. When do you think I would have the Visa in hand? I'm thinking Wednesday. No?

Thanks everyone!

[jkelly80]

Really? Unfortunately, I have no info, as I'm about to get my visa app. in a couple of days. Let me know what I can expect. Good luck.

[tob55]

It may cost you a little more, but when I went to the same consulate several years ago, I requested if there was a way to expedite it and it only took 24 hours. They will occasionally rush things, but at a cost. Again, it has been more than 4 years that I did it so things most certainly have changed during that time. Good luck.

[bassexpander]

I had a passport mysteriously "lost" in the mail years ago when I sent it to the Chicago consulate. I was between contracts, and visiting the USA before starting at my new school. I was waiting to leave for Korea in 2 weeks, and my passport and blue paper I'd mailed it with were lost (was supposed to be a 1 week turnaround) in the mail somewhere between my hometown and Chicago. I live close to there, and I know for a fact that there is just one truck between that area of Chicago and my hometown. One.

The Chicago consulate claimed they never got it.

I had to rush a new passport (dad works in gov't, and knows someone who helped me get it fast), and got one before leaving. I was stressed, because all of my stuff was in storage, but I was only allowed to keep it there until a day after I was to return to Korea.

Someone at the Chicago consulate was lying to me and holding my passport for the boss back in Korea (who probably begged/bribed them to do it).

Interesting thing is that the school I had sent the paperwork for my E2 about, I later learned, suddenly went under but didn't notify me (and avoided all of my calls).

I entered Korea on a tourist visa on a new passport, which got me flagged at airport immigration. Why? Because they had it in their computer that the Chicago consulate had approved my E2 in another passport days earlier. They ended up calling around several places while I waited. They managed to get ahold of the school by surprising the owner through another number, and he danced around the truth until he finally admitted that there would be no job to come back to. They canceled the E2 right there and let me enter as a tourist to find another job.

My old passport mysteriously showed up at my parents' house a month later -- stamped by the Chicago consulate with my now-voided E2.

[22tea77]

Bassexpander...that HAS TO rate as the ultimate Visa Horror Story!

[ChopChaeJoe]

[dankdo]

[mistermasan]

when i was prepping to come to korea i had some questions for the chicago office (being from illinois). i could not get thru to a human being. one extension would instruct me to contact another. that whole lost in the telephone system trick. happily, that was before the recent visa rules revisions.

[dankdo]

[hexagonsun]

That's exactly it. The *new* E2 regulations are absolutely bonkers. The Chicago Consulate website has no useful information whatsoever. Someone in an earlier post said they called and was bounced around. That's *exactly* what happened to me this entire week thus far. I called, said "Hello? Interview for the E2. With whom do I speak with?," transfer, employee speaking Korean and doesn't understand a word I say, transfer, the cycle continues for 3 days. Today I actually spoke with an english speaking representative for the first time in 3 days. The whole process blows my mind about the lack of information/competence on either end of the ocean.

Here's what I do know for the Chicago Consulate "interview" or what I will call a "formality." This is what I was told you need for the Chicago Consulate:

1) Passport
2) $45 (Cash, probably pocketing a big portion)
3) Passport Picture (1) [I will bring two]
4) Transcripts or copy of diploma
-Good thing I have extra copies of my diploma and authentic transcripts or else I would be up sh!t creek right now.

So after the whole formality (which I heard takes an entire 5 minutes), it will take 2 business days to actually process and receive your Visa.

If I am wrong on the last portion (2 bus. days), please correct me.

So there you have it. Word to the wise: Plan well ahead for the Chicago Consulate.

Indulge me in any other useful or entertaining information. Thanks.


-hex-

[dankdo]

I'm pretty sure it takes 5 business days, but things might have changed since a year ago. With that said, I won't be returning here, for other reasons besides these ridiculous new regulations..

[marlow]

[spliff]

Many years ago my passport was stolen by the Korean Consulate staff and sold to an individual (probably a Korean criminal) who wasted no time and left and entered the US within the 24hr period which the Korean Consulate required to hold my passport for processing in Bangers.

[Ut videam]

I had my interview at the Chicago consulate on Wednesday morning (Feb. 13).

The interview itself was pure vanilla. I had already mailed ahead a completed copy of the "Consul's Checklist for E-2 Applicant," so all the substantive questions were already answered. So I spent 10 minutes fielding questions such as "How do you like Korean food?" from a youngish, affable gentleman with very good English.

I received my passport this morning (Feb. 16) in the self-addressed stamped Express Mail envelope I provided, my E-2 visa (with multiple-entry endorsement) affixed inside. The tracking data shows that they mailed it late Thursday evening.

[Curious_george]