Korean Job Discussion Forums

KAMAKAZI · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Location: Jamshil

The visa period for the first time on an F2 is a year, then when you renew it, 2 years. After the 2 years are up, how long does the next renewal last assuming you dont get your F5 ?? Thanx

prairieboy · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Location: The batcave.

The period for the first F2 can be one or two years. The second renewal can be one or two years...it's all up to the Immigration officer processing your application.

I just renewed my F2 yesterday. I've had an F2 for almost 2 years now. The first sojourn period was a year and the second was a year as well.

This time the Immigration officer gave me two years when I only wanted to renew for one (I plan to make an application for my F5 during the next year).

It's a crap shoot basically.

You need to be on an F2 for a minimum of 2 years to apply for an F5(check the Hi Korea website for some good information...you can apply for an F5 after residing in Korea for 5 years without having to have had an F2).

http://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/main_en.pt

Good luck

Fredbob · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:56 am Post subject:

not to hijack, but can you do it online? I mean renew the F2

KAMAKAZI · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Location: Jamshil

So basically when renewing an F2, they ONLY give 1 or 2 year periods of stay? There is no longer terms like 3 years etc. when renewing the third time?

They gave me the basic one year F2 the first time applying. Then a 2 year term when I renewed it (Im still on the 2 year now). So I was curious about the next time and whether or not they up it to 3 years or if 2 years is the maximum for an F2 no matter what

prairieboy · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Location: The batcave.

You cannot renew your F2 on-line.

It's stated on the website and if you call immigration they will tell you it must be done in-person.

I guess they have a problem with people getting married just for the visa.

With regard to how many foreigners there are in Korea and where they come from (mainly S.E Asia) it makes sense. Most native English speakers only want to make their time here more pleasant and don't really want to stay here permanently (at least that's me).

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

You do not have to wait out the visa in order to apply for your F5 visa. All you have to do is fulfill the 2 years on the F2 visa, then you are eligible to apply for your F5. It is well worth doing it to become a permanent resident. I had about 8 months left on my F2 when I reached the 2 year period, made application and everything went through with no problem.

The F5 is the equivalent of the US Green Card or other permanent residency cards from other nations. To maintain it you must be in Korea for at least 30 days every year. No problem since I do not plan on being away that often except for travel and vacations. I quite enjoy my life here and feel this is the place for me at the present. At any rate, it is not a hard process, and the more people make this step the more immigration will get it's act together with regard to the F2 and the F5 visas.