Korean Job Discussion Forums

[KristaLynn]

Alright, tried searching this one here and on Google and everywhere else, but either it's too late or the constant changing and different experiences of everyone has left it near impossible to get a straight answer.

My current E2 visa ends in two weeks. I was originally holding out on looking renewal up knowing that things would change, and then simply got caught up in crazy added summer ecteras at my school and..oh, a computer meltdown that lost all of my decent bookmarks. I love this school and have no intentions of leaving, but it's looking like I've messed up in not already figuring out all the paperwork for a visa renewal.

So.... Criminal check and medical check, both which can be done here, right? How long is this taking everyone else to do? Is there a thread I'm missing or a website that has a relatively new and 'simple' outline for what needs to be done? I'm at a complete loss here.

And, yes, lesson learned already. Sorry for the panic post. =)

[KYC]

medical check--go get one done at a hospital. Pick it up a few days later.

CRC-dont know what country you're from.

After that, just go down to immigration with your application and money and it's easy breezy....after waiting an insane amount of time.

[KristaLynn]

Mmm... America, and that's where the problem lies. It seems that some people are having troubles with that check while others are not, and to be honest, I'm not even sure how to go about getting one of those. I can figure that out, but I'd like to know at what "level" I should get one... ?

[chickyabroad]

I think the reason some people in the US are having problems getting a CRC and some aren't is because it can vary from state to state. But if it helps, I got mine from the MA state police and it was perfectly acceptable for SMOE. From all the reading I did, an FBI check wasn't necessary and the state one was much easier (no fingerprints required).

[KYC]

Yep it does vary state to state. You have to check which "level" is satisfactory for your state. All I had to do was get a local check, but I had obtained an online one that my state uses. Then came the whole thing about immigration not accepting online crc's anymore. I went to get a local one in person when I was home but didnt even needed. Immigration accepted my online one.

[losing_touch]

I got mine from the state of Maryland. Fingerprints were required. The process (including Apostille) took about two weeks.

[DongtanTony]

Your visas finished in two weeks??? You're going to have more problems than others are envisioning.

First...you'll need a visa extension. To do this...you're going to have to purchase a refundable ticket out of the country...I'd purchase it as late as possible...a max of 30 from the expiration date of your ARC.

That'll give you some time...otherwise...if you don't have your documentation , and no extension...you'll have to leave anyways, if only to come back on a tourist visa.

Start researching now!!!! Make phone calls to your home state/province/country...whatever applies to you for wherever you might be from.

The problem in the US doesn't really center around where you're from...it involves whether or not your local police department will perform the check for you...and whether or not they'll do it without your physical presence for identification purposes. Some states have looser freedom of information laws than others.

My little hometown in Maine was able to write me a letter on city letterhead, and it was signed by the chief of police...result...I have my new visa.

Some local P.D.'s won't perform this task...they may bump you up to your State Police, your State Attorney General, or your State Department of Justice....depending on where you're from.

The "level" from your state doesn't matter one bit....what matters is who sees that document last....and that's Korean Immigration.

You're going to want the least hassle...most official looking document you can obtain...and somewhere on that document it should say that you have "no criminal record," or "no criminal history."

So...with phone calls...making your request...transit times for mailing...and finally getting your document to your respective embassy for an affidavit....your two-week timetable is tight to say the least.

Good luck to you...but you're going to need a few "breaks" and a small miracle to get this done in two weeks....look into your temporary extension at your local immigration office after you purchase your exit ticket.

Hopefully...you have family or friends back home that you can have it mailed to...then they can FedEx the documents to you quickly.