Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MHS]

I left Korea about a month and a half before my last E2 visa finished.

When I went through the airport, I showed them my ARC, and the woman just handed it back to me.She also did not stamp "USED" on my visa.

Then I left Korea, went to a few other countries and now I want to come back on a tourist visa. But now I am worried that K Immingration might not have a real record of me leaving and think I overstayed my visa.

Is this likely?

I do have visas and stamps from other countries from before my last Visa expired (Sept 17). Is it actually possible that this won't be good enough?

Last question: I only have a one-way plane ticket into Korea right now. If I try come in on a tourist visa with a one-way plane ticket, what will happen? Will they just not let me into the country?

[tired of LA]

You won't get in trouble for overstaying your visa as you should have a departure date stamp in your passport for when you left. You might get in a bit of trouble for not turning in your ARC card though, which would be a small fine. When you leave, they usually ask if you are coming back, if you say yes they hand you back your ARC and if you say no, then they keep it. If they ask, you could just say you lost it.

As for only having a one way ticket, technically they can deny you entry because you're supposed to have a onward ticket, but they hardly ever check for one. What you might have a problem with is the airline who might not let you board since they would have to fly you back if you got denied entry. If you're worried, just buy a fully refundable onward ticket and refund it when you arrive.

[lifeinkorea]

If you are coming back on a tourist visa, can't you just say you are getting a job with another school? Then, it would make sense (which I know Koreans don't always think about) to keep your ARC card. Just say you are coming to get a Letter of Release or other documents before doing a visa run. You'll "update" the ARC card with the new address when the new visa is processed.

Then, once you are in Korea, go to immigration and fill out some paperwork for this to actually happen. The only thing is, you won't be able get it processed cause you need something from the "new" school (like with public schools, a school number). So, at that point, tell them you probably can't work there and try to hand in your ARC card then.

It may not be worth all this if the fine is just 20 or 30,000 won. If it's over 100,000 then it might be worth it. I don't know how serious it is.