Korean Job Discussion Forums

[thesilverlining]

I worked in Korea for 1 year on an E2 visa. To come back to teach public, I need a criminal background check. To request said CBC, I need to know my old ARC number. Because I had to return my ARC card to immigration when I left the country, I have no idea what my ARC number is. I called my ex-boss, and he can't (or won't, more likely) help me. I've called various consulates, but they can't help. One woman at the consulate said that your ARC number is on your visa in your passport, but I haven't been able to figure this out. So, can you please:

1. Look at your ARC card.
2. Look at your visa. Compare!
3. Is your ARC number anywhere on your visa? If so, WHERE?

I know the 1st 6 digits are your birthday (yy mm dd), but I don't know what 7 numbers are the last 7 digits.

I will love you forever if you can help me with this!! The Korean consulates have been anti-helpful.

[Jellypah]

I just looked at both my ARC and visa and I can't find any corrrelating numbers. I can't find my ARC # on any re-entry permits or anything either.

Maybe you could have a look around on the Immigration site: http://www.immigration.go.kr/indeximmeng.html Perhaps there's a number to call and they could help you out. Perhaps the pension office has a record?

Good luck!

[Xuanzang]

It might be on your old KHIS card if you still have it.

[cruisemonkey]

The number was on your ARC. It never was/will be on a visa.

Immigration has it on record because it is assigned for 'life' - once assigned it never changes.

Call Immigration, get an English speaker (unless you can speak Korean) and explain why you want the number. Because you know the first six digits and your name they will most likely be co-operative. If not, wait a while and call back to speak to a different person. Repeat if necessary.

[moosehead]

yeah your ARC number is always the same - they don't issue you a new one each time you get a new visa.

but I'm puzzled why you need it for a CRC??

can you explain this further? do you mean for a K CRC?? they should be able to find it thru your pp number.

also - did you have a bank acc or any utilities in your name when you were here? they'd have your number - as well as any hospital/dr if you had insurance. your num is out there all over the place.

[Tobias]

This is why you make copies of all your cards, visas, forms, et al. I have a pile of old copies and I'm only about four years into this TESOL business.

[Young FRANKenstein]

[cruisemonkey]

Damn... nothing with K-Immi surprises me anymore. I asked the supervisor at the local branch if ID numbers was assigned for life (I've had the same number since day 1 - two jobs and two renewals), and he replied "Yes, once you are in the system you will always have the same number."

I just got a new passport and as required by law, took it to Immigration with the required paperwork. I asked about having my multiple entry stamp transfered to the new passport and was told (by the same officer) that I should just take my old passport to show I am allowed multiple entrys to K-land.

Does anyone want to bet the K-idiots at ICN will try and refuse me entry to K-land when I come back from holidays because my new passport doesn't have a multiple entry stamp?

[Young FRANKenstein]

[Young FRANKenstein]

[thesilverlining]

OK, thanks everyone for your efforts. I don't know WHY this has to be so complicated, but then, it is Korea.

Yes, it's my K-CBC that I need the number for. I'll try calling immi after the weekend (not open right now) and pray that someone speaks decent English and is feeling helpful. I don't understand why a passport number isn't enough to look up these things. What a pain.

[yingwenlaoshi]

It's in the health insurance booklet if you have that.

Barring that, call the pension office and give them your details and try to get the number out of them (if you had pension). You could also call the bank you dealt with in Korea. They copy your alien card.

[weatherman]

[cruisemonkey]

[moosehead]