Korean Job Discussion Forums

[taobenli]

So, I just got to Korea and will be here for just under two months. I won't be working, just doing a short academic program and doing research for my PhD. While I was on the plane over today I suddenly realized that I had screwed up the visa requirements. I knew that U.S. visitors were allowed a certain period of time in Korea without any visa- and I just assumed (or read mistakenly somewhere) that that period was 90 days (as it is for Japan). But it's only 30! The time before last I came on a Canadian passport (and automatically got 6 months visa-free), and last summer I got a C-3 visa since I would be staying just a few days more than 90.

As I went through immigration, I expected them to stamp my passport for the 30 days, and was cursing myself internally and already imagining an expensive visa-run (or visa-exemption run?) to Fukuoka for just another month here. But the lady glanced at my C-3 visa from LAST summer, and then stamped Oct. 2008 as my latest departure month.

So, can I just consider myself lucky and not worry about my mistake with visas? Or are they liable to catch this on the way out (and if so, can I just play dumb)?

[maeil]

Take a good look at last summer's C-3 visa. Look under "Final Entry Date." When is it? Usually they're good for 5 years. Look under "Entries." Is there an M or an S? If there's an M, it's a multiple entry visa, and you can come in and out of the country on the same visa as many times as you want until the "Final Entry Date." If there is an S, for Single Entry Visa, well... I don't know what to say. I've never heard of a single entry tourist visa. Doesn't make much sense in my book.

Basically: You're most likely fine. Your tourist visa from last year should still be good, giving you 90 days from the date of your entry.

[taobenli]

bump

[vino-luvva]

Im almost certain, that I read somewhere that very recently they changed the usual USA tourist visa of 30 days to 90 days..??? check it out with your embassy.

[RufusW]

So is it multiple entry?

Play dumb, her fault....

[taobenli]

Yeah, it's multiple entry- didn't even think of that, thanks!

[OiGirl]

You should be fine. My tourist visas were always multiple-entry.