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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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tmax500
Joined: 12 Feb 2010
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 Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 3:42 pm Post subject: Are flights usually booked before the visa # is ready? |
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I believe it takes 10 working days for the visa application to be dealt with by Korean immigration. I believe that the embassy then needs 4 days to stamp the visa on the passort. An interview might be needed (beforehand).
Do employers usually book tickets at this time or wait until the visa number is ready? Immigration received documents on Oct 14, suggested flight date (for a cheap flight) is Nov 3rd - seems a bit risky to book it, doesnt it?
Another question: should I have a signed copy of the contract before I go to the embassy (I have an unsigned contract)?
Thanks in advance! |
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nathanrutledge
Joined: 01 May 2008
Location: Marakesh
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| Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 6:06 pm Post subject: Re: Are flights usually booked before the visa # is ready? |
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| tmax500 wrote: |
I believe it takes 10 working days for the visa application to be dealt with by Korean immigration. I believe that the embassy then needs 4 days to stamp the visa on the passort. An interview might be needed (beforehand).
Do employers usually book tickets at this time or wait until the visa number is ready? Immigration received documents on Oct 14, suggested flight date (for a cheap flight) is Nov 3rd - seems a bit risky to book it, doesnt it?
Another question: should I have a signed copy of the contract before I go to the embassy (I have an unsigned contract)?
Thanks in advance! |
Do not book that flight until you have your visa in hand. You never know what will go wrong. For example, my current job didn't turn in the visa paperwork until 1 week after they received it, so my visa issuance number didn't arrive until the day before I was initially supposed to be on the plane.
Next, I sent my passport to Chicago to the consulate to get the visa. FedEx said if I put my CC number on the envelope, THAT was prepaid and i'd have it back 24 hours after it was sent. WRONG. The consulate requires a prepaid, as in you already paid the cash, because if your CC is bad, THEY get the bill. So I had to get a FedEx account, pay online, then call back and give them the confirmation number. Of course, when I called, the visa section had left for the day... Anyway, my passport arrived that Friday, and I had a ticket for Monday morning (which I had bought on the belief my passport would be back to me by Wednesday).
My first E2 visa, I called the consulate and the first interview they had was 1 month later, even though the school wanted me there that next week.
So, DO NOT BUY YOUR TICKET UNTIL YOU KNOW, FOR SURE, ABSOLUTELY, THAT YOU ARE COMING TO KOREA. Visa in hand, ready to travel.
Going to the embassy, you shouldn't need anything other than your passport and visa issuance number, but ASK them before you go. They may want something else. A contract signed by the employer shouldn't be necessary. That's what the visa issuance number is for - immigration in Korea has already inspected your papers. |
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runthegauntlet
Joined: 02 Dec 2007
Location: the southlands.
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| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 12:11 am Post subject: Re: Are flights usually booked before the visa # is ready? |
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| tmax500 wrote: |
I believe it takes 10 working days for the visa application to be dealt with by Korean immigration. I believe that the embassy then needs 4 days to stamp the visa on the passort. An interview might be needed (beforehand).
Do employers usually book tickets at this time or wait until the visa number is ready? Immigration received documents on Oct 14, suggested flight date (for a cheap flight) is Nov 3rd - seems a bit risky to book it, doesnt it?
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All three times I've come to Korea I had the flight ticket before I had the visa.
But do whatever you're comfortable with. |
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Hotpants
Joined: 27 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 12:21 am Post subject: |
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| If your employer is booking a flight ticket, then it's his/her money at stake. If it's my $, then I wouldn't risk booking a ticket until I secured my visa unless the ticket terms are totally flexible. There are plenty of last-minute flights available, and as this isn't peak season, I would sit it out and wait for the visa first. |
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tmax500
Joined: 12 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 1:55 am Post subject: |
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thanks for the feedback guys, I'll wait until I get the visa number before I book a flight  |
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