Korean Job Discussion Forums

[buddy bradley]

Hello, Brothers and Sisters!

I've asked this before but am still not clear as to the answer. If anyone has done this, please let me know!

Okay, I'm here on a South African passport, and I'm planning a trip to Japan soon. Unfortunately, this means a trip into Seoul for at least three days because I need a visa.

So again, because I'm unsure, I ask:

Is it possible to use my Swiss passport when entering Japan, so I can avoid the hassles of all that the Japanese Embassy here entails? I'm not going on a visa run, purely for pleasure.

Disclaimer: If this seems like a stupid question, trust me, it's not that easy finding answers.

[FierceInvalid]

[J.B. Clamence]

No personal experience, but here is a direct quote from my Lonely Planet (2000):

"Stays of up to six months are permitted for citizens of Austria, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Switzerland and the UK. Citizens of these countries will almost always be given a 90-day Short Stay visa upon arrival, which can be extended for another 90 days at immigration bureaus inside Japan."

Just call the Japanese Embassy and ask them if this info is still valid.

[buddy bradley]

Thanks guys - but my question is this: I am in Korea as a S. African citizen. Can I leave Korea (as a South African) and enter Japan as a Swiss citizen? Can I switch between two passports like that, no matter which country I'm leaving and entering?

[sadsac]

No. Immigration in Japan will check your point of departure in your passport and also the documentation you are required to complete to enter and leave Japan. You must present the passport upon which your initial travel took place. Check with immigation to see if your Swiss passport can be endorsed with a copy of your E2, this may alleviate many of your potential travel difficulties. Suggestion only on that point.

[buddy bradley]

[shawner88]

Run! Run far and fast man. When they see you're plotting against them, they won't be lenient. Take the high wire act and forget the fame. Fall off and land on the billowy folds of inflated safeahaven.

[crazylemongirl]

I think in the new security enviroment dual passport holders should carry both passports with them if they are entering one country with one passport and leaving with another.

I still remember the story of a friend a few years ago who was at heathrow and the machine wouldn't read her passport so she whipped out another one and they waved her through

[peppergirl]

No experience as I have only 1 passport, but I don't think it should be a problem.
Don't know how difficult it is to get a Japanese visa for S. African nationals, but last time my (Korean) husband needed to get a visa for Japan, the travel agency arranged everything for him, and as he was really late to organise the visa, he just picked up his passport together with his ticket at Incheon airport. Maybe you could get your travel agent deal with it, and save you the hassle of going to Seoul? And definitely no hassles with immigration in Japan or Korea.

[rok_the-boat]

I have met several South Africans in Japan and can't really see a problme for you. If they require it, get a visa in your passport before you go.

[buddy bradley]

I've been to Japan on my S. African passport. I'm not looking for vague answers; I'm looking for an answer to my question.

Again: Can I switch passports while travelling? What am I saying wrong here?

[peppergirl]

Some friends do it but they have US/Belgian double nationality, so use the US passport for leaving and entering the US, and the Belgian one for entering/leaving Belgium.
Don't know what happens if you are travelling between 2 third countries, but I can't see what would be the problem. Esp. if your passports have lots of stamps already, they are definitely not going to bother looking for Korean stamps when entering/leaving Japan and vice versa.