Korean Job Discussion Forums

[IncognitoHFX]

I have two... no wait, three friends heading over to Korea these month. I'm helping out two because they're new, and the third one is finding his own way as it'll be his second year.

My two friends had all their documentation sent to GEPIK / a recruiter early this month, and their plane ticket is for the 26th of August. It's already the 8th, and they still haven't recieved their issuance number yet. My friend who is their recruiter already put through all of the information a little over a week and a half ago. Still no issuance number.

My other friend (who has been to Korea before) is still waiting on his as well, and he put his in around the same time. I don't recall this taking so long when I did it.

As of now, they have ten business days left in which they can get their Visa. Their plane leaves after ten days. If they don't get their issuance number before the five day mark, I told them to just come to Korea on their plane tickets and then get their respective schools into doing Japan runs.

Is this a good idea? It was back in the day, I'm still not %100 on how things work these days... either way, they can't reschedule their plane tickets.

[juicyfresh]

i just received my visa issuance number after a 15 business-day wait! my employer said there might be delays for people from u.s. right now...

i also considered coming to korea before my issuance number was out, and just getting the visa in japan - but it's my third e-2. i'm not sure if it's okay for first-timers to do it that way or not???

they also have to consider how long it will take their local consulate to proccess the actual visa.

i had to call them relentlessly and beg them to rush the visa... i got my passport this morning and i leave in 24 hours!!

best luck to your friends!

[ttompatz]

If this is their first time here you gave bad advice because they will have to have a consular interview in their home country prior to the visa being issued (visa run to home?)

For the friend who HAS had a prior E2, it is still do-able.

.

[Ninjaniki]

It took me 3.5 weeks to get my visa issuance number! I supposed to start work in Korea on August 25th and the consulate scheduled me for an interview on August 20th and they said I could pick up my visa on the 21st

[IncognitoHFX]

Gah, stupid interview.

However, my friends live in Nova Scotia, which should be in the "too far away from the consulate to have an interview" jurisdiction. One of my friends who came over about six months ago (from Nova Scotia) had his interview on the phone.

Can I assume it's going to be the same for them?

Would it help to get my recruiter friend to call X, Y, Z government branch in Korea and ask them to get off their asses?

They already have the plane tickets and can't change them. It was a significant investment for them too. I might just call the consulate myself.

[losing_touch]

[expat2001]