Korean Job Discussion Forums

[buymybook]

Those not with EPIK may think the service blows. EPIK Teachers who have taught in S. Korea need not have an interview but all other E-2 Visa applicants MUST. So, if you are a SMOE or GEPIK etc...Teacher who has taught in S. Korea you MUST have an interview.

Oh, and it can take 3 days to process. They will tell you not to go there until you have sent your documents to them by mail including your passport and they are not responsible for the loss of your passport. Whenever they receive your documents they will e-mail you concerning the interview date/time.

I tried to beat the new teachers back to Korea but it seems I'll be on the same plane with them on the 23rd/24th, if I'm lucky. First, I must answer the "Do you like Korea and it's food" questions correctly.

* The Korean Consulate General in Houston services 5 southeastern States in the U.S.A.:Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Texas.
* If you reside in our consular districts, apply to our office.
Korean Consulate General
Attn : Visa Dept.
1990 Post Oak Blvd #1250
Houston, TX 77056
(713) 961-0186
www.koreahouston.org

Better yet...
http://www.koreahouston.org/english/affair_index_E2_CITIZEN.htm

Important: Individuals must attach a separate sheet with a valid email address to the application packet. Designated interview times are permanent and may not be rescheduled.

[allarise]

I don't know about that... My girlfriend and I just received our visas from the Houston consulate without an interview, and we're first timers.

Totally unexpected, but awesome.

[buymybook]

I'm not too surprised, that's just what the female told me on the phone. She advised me not to go there, rather send everything in the mail and that ALL applicants that aren't EPIK will receive an in-person interview. I will soon find out how much more worthless they can be. To prepay for the return envelope, you must have a credit card if you use FedEx. At least that's what they told me.

[eac02]

If I remember correctly there are only about 9 Korean Consulates in the states so most of them service around 5 states.

Most of the websites say that only EPIK applicants are exempt from the interview; however, actually any teacher working for the public school system (EPIK, GEPIK, SMOE...) is exempt. If you receive a notice of appointment (you get this with public school jobs) you are exempt, if you receive a confirmation number you have to do the interview.
At least that is the way I understand it and what I have been told.

[semi-fly]

OP,

Thanks for the information. Good to know someone else is going through the same consulate as I am (or will be actually). Anything to avoid stepping foot into Houston is a bonus.

[Godhasbeengoodtome]

Yikes. Is this true, if you go through Houston you have to have an interview even if you previously had an e2? If so, anybody got the email for the Houston Consulate? I sent my stuff off to them without an email address so they can contact me...

[teacha]

I received my visa through the Houston consolate in late August, and I didn't have to do an interview. I'm also working for a public school under GEPIK.