Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hisnhers]

I have a question that I hope someone will be able to answer. I have looked on the immigration website, but I found the wording a little confusing. I have been working at the same company for just over 4 years and I have decided to leave my current contract early (on good terms) and want to travel to a country that isn't my home country. I plan on returning to Korea to work after my travels. So my question is: Is it possible to get a new visa at an embassy or consulate that isn't located in my home country?
Thanks a lot.

[lifeinkorea]

You can do a visa run (which would possibly be the same country you are going to). You'll need all new documents.

[Chambertin]

Two options, I'll try to make it as plain as possible.

A: You get a brand new visa after the original would have expired. This can not be done while the original is in effect, it will system reject the attempt and confuse immigration. Even an inquiry while a visa is in effect sends up red flags.

B: You get a letter of release (LOR) from the employer whom you are leaving early and turn it into immigration. You set up how long you have to leave Korea and after you leave start a new visa application, or you transfer that old visa information directly to the new employer when you turn in the LOR.

That�s about it. If you or anyone else finds more, power to you. However those are the only two dead ringer no fail options I know of.

EDIT:
I had to go to my home countries consulate / embassy for my visa interview, but that was dependant on the type of job I had.
Hagwon = home country
Private = mail it in

[abigolblackman]

So if I quit my current school without a LOR I can't get a new VISA until the old one expires? That doesn't sound right, it seems to me that a lot of folks here change schools mid-contract all the time.

Can someone who has actually done this confirm?

abigolblackman

[OculisOrbis]

you cant get a new visa unless the old one is canceled or expired. employers are supposed to cancel it when you quit, but sometimes they don't because they're dicks and want to make your life as difficult as possible. it is also supposed to be canceled if you turn in your arc at the airport when you exit korea, but again, in the odd case, the immi agent doesnt do it. most of the time, either the employer cancels it like they're supposed to or immi does their job at the airport and there isn't a problem applying for a new visa. the exceptions are rare, but it does happen.

[abigolblackman]

@eye boi

Man, you just a wealth of knowledge. Thanks. Had me scared for a minute there.

abigolblackman

[lifeinkorea]

I haven't done this in Korea yet, but when I left Japan there were huge lines waiting to board planes. I wouldn't wait till the airport to get this stuff resolved. Just go to immigration and see if you can cancel it or get confirmation from your school that they did before you actually leave for the airport.

That way, they can confirm at most at the airport also but don't have to do the legwork in canceling it. I remember though in China when I left, they took forever to let each person through, often double checking everything (and I was only on a student visa for like 6 weeks). I hope it's not like that with Korean immigration at the airport.

[Weigookin74]

[Chambertin]