Korean Job Discussion Forums

[peppergirl]

I got my F-2-1 visa without problems, and immediately applied for E-2 visa and a multiple re-entry permit (so I don't have to bother with immigration anymore for a whole year- I hope).

I got my passport and alien registration card back after 1 week, with a new stamp in my passport which says:
'Re-entry Permit No. xxxx Satus: E-2. Good for Multiple re-entry into the Republic of Korea until 2004.xx.xx ....'
(It says 's atus', not 'status', I guess the 't' fell out of their stamp)
So I have 2 stamps in my passport now, 1 for the F-2-1 visa (permission for change of status of sojourn, to F-2-1) and one re-entry permit which mentions the E-2 status.

Also, they wrote something illegible on the back of my ARC, a few letters only, I can't even make out if it's Korean or English, and a date (1 yr from now).

Is this all??? Am I missing a stamp in my passport??? Or is it just the note on the back of the ARC???

Thanks!

[Rand Al Thor]

I got mine done in November.
3 Stamps
stamp 1 F-2-1
stamp 2 e2
stamp 3 multiple reentry

All on seperate pages.

[peppergirl]

Maybe I shouldn't have applied for E2 and multiple re-entry at the same time... too confusing for them!!!

So it looks as I'll be making another trip to Mokodong

[Alex Buffa]

You can only have 1 visa and that is your F-2-1

I also have what you have, and I work at 2 different locations. Two different contracts and I do NOT have E-2 status.

What you are doing is applying for permission to do things "outside" your status of sojourn. In this case, you are teaching. The closest form of "permission" is the e-2 status they will write on the back of your alien card. It is NOT a visa, it is PERMISSION to teach and your permission is written there in case you are asked by an immigration inspector about your legality to be teaching.

It's not hard, all you need is a contract, your schedule, your school's / university's paper and YOU goto immigration and file for permission. In some cases, it takes about 30 min and 30,000 won to get your passport stamped and your permission written on the back of your card (my own personal experience).

If you're not happy with your job, you can simply quit and walk out. Let immigration know you've stopped working and cancel YOUR contract. Very easy.

But let me state again you do NOT have an E-2 visa.

And that's not exactly a bad thing.

Alex

[Mr. Pink]

Hmm am I the only one who COULD get a F-2-1 and is too lazy? I just stay at the same place of employment and keep the same E-2 visa.

[Rand Al Thor]

Mr. Pink

I did the same thing for the last 3 years. But the big advantage for me now is when I change jobs I don't have to do a VISA run. Just a 25 minute subway ride (or 20 minute drive) to immigration. It's cheap, easy and useful. If you only work part-time, not sure what that is, you can work at multiple locations. All you need is a stamp from immigration, 20000 won, your employers don't need to know anything.

One of my friends was doing that for a year, but now he has a university gig starting in March. Anyhow think about it.

Merry Christmas

RaT

[peppergirl]

My husband called immigration and they admitted they forgot to put an E-2 stamp in my passport. They adjusted it in their computer, but I still need to get a stamp in my passport. My husband is trying to make them pay for sending my passport there, as it's their fault.

Also noticed they got my address wrong on my alien registration card, can't they do anything right???

[Holyjoe]

I have 3 stamps in mine:

1 - "Permission for change of status of sojurn" - F-2-1 stamp.
2 - "Permission for engaging in activities not covered by the status of sojurn" - the equivalent of an E-2
3 - F-2-1 re-entry permit

You'll have to update your re-entry permit from the E-2 to the F-2-1. I had my multiple entry permit from the time when my previous E-2 was issued (ie before getting the F-2-1 visa) but at the airport I was told that the permit was invalid because it was tied to the E-2 which had been cancelled. It was a fairly painless process at the airport immigration office to get a new one, but if you have the F-2-1 visa you need an F-2-1 re-entry permit to go with it.

[peppergirl]

I had the F-2-1 first, then got the E-2 (but no stamp yet) and multiple re-entry permit (for the E-2).

[peppergirl]

update: Immigration admitted it was their mistake, and after a bit of arguing by my husband, they agreed to pay for sending my passport & ARC to imigration and back. They finished everything in 1 day, and they became very nice now when my husband calls them