Korean Job Discussion Forums

[am2kor]

I am a U.S. citizen. My wife is Korean (born and raised), but naturalized to U.S. citizen many years ago. Her family all lives in Korea, and we were married (ceremony) there several years ago, but we reside in the U.S (we also married 'legally' at a U.S. courthouse on our one year anniversary).

Now, we would both like to live and work in Korea. Unfortunately, I have a painted record, including a several DUI convictions (over 10 years old), so I am quite certain that any E-2 application would be denied.

So, my question is: What options are there to achieve our goal of living and working in Korea? I have an advanced degree. Can I avoid the background check with other non-teaching visa types? Can I get an f-2 visa (perhaps if my wife obtains an f-4 visa)? If so, does the f-2 visa require a background check? Or is the f-2 only for "married to Korean national" (I suppose in an extreme case she could regain her Korean citizenship)?

Thank you for any advice!

[Jandar]

I don't know if you can get the f-2 sponsored by an f-4?

If you can let me know.

[DHC]

An F-4 spouse cannot sponsor an F-2 visa. Your past DUI history would preclude the issuance of an F-2 and F-5 if discovered.

[Ramen]

Get a new Korea wife.

[DeLaRed]

not F2.

I think it's an F4-2 visa but you would not be able to work on this visa.

[john110375]

I would advise not trying to cheat the system if you're caught it would be worse for you.. And it would make it harder for those of us with no record to get our F visas..

[am2kor]

john110375, How do you gather that I am trying to cheat the system? As I stated, I am looking for OPTIONS to live and work in Korea with a checkered past. If that means not teaching, but instead writing software, fine. If it means investing $500,000 in a business, fine.

It would seem that I am entitled to some sort of family visa that does not require a CBC, but I don't know - that's why I came here, for advice.

Any other informed advice would be appreciated!

Thanks all!

[caniff]

[DHC]

DeLaRed is correct, you can live in Kore as a spouse of an F-4 visa holder. Your multiple DUI's will prevent you from working any legal job in Korea and probably would preclude the issuance o any visa. Foreign nationals are not entitled by law to be granted a visa to live in Korea and it is doubtful if Immigration would issue a visa to someone with a multiple DUI past.

[am2kor]

DHC, you say preclude/prevent. How? I thought many visa types (save teaching) do NOT require a CRC.

Thanks...

[air76]

The first thing that I would do is get a criminal background check to see what's on it. There is a good chance that the DUIs won't even show up.

It only costs $10 to get one...a lot of folk on here are worried about their CBC without even having looked at it yet.

Immigration won't have any extra information available to them other than the document that you send them...so get a CBC and see what shows up, if there's nothing then you're good to go.

Look at the website for your state patrol...I was able to get mine online.

[john110375]

If you apply for an F-2-1 the say they will check your background?! Do they actually do it ?? Who knows ? They only kept my passport for one week !! But to get that visa your wife would have to give up her other citizenship! Doesn't seem worth it to me !? But maybe it's worth it to you ? Good Luck

[crossmr]

[Ramen]

K-immi should require CRC for all visas longer than 90 days.

[T-dot]

Just get a criminal check done and see whats on there or ask a friend (cop) to check for you. Like another poster said, a DUI might not even be on there anymore.