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chaz47
Joined: 11 Sep 2003
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 Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 4:29 am Post subject: How long to process visa numbers? |
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I hate to sound like a gimp, but I'm in BKK and trying to budget long enough to make it back to Korea and still manage to put money down for key money. I know once I get there it'll be cold and miserable... but at least it'll be quiet(er). I feel like I haven't slept properly since I left the US last week.
So... how long does it take them to issue my numbers now that they've got my paperwork?
I'm figuring to fly up as soon as I get my E-2 even though it won't kick in until late December/beginning January. I should be OK on a tourist visa to do some apartment hunting.
And, yeah... the time-honored saying that Thailand is not the place you want to count your pennies is absolutely true.  |
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hagwonnewbie
Joined: 09 Feb 2007
Location: Asia
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| Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 7:02 am Post subject: |
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| 2-3 weeks |
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chaz47
Joined: 11 Sep 2003
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| Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2010 10:11 pm Post subject: |
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| hagwonnewbie wrote: |
| 2-3 weeks |
That's too far out for my comfort. What's the current tourist visa for a US citizen? If I plan to enter as a tourist before my E-2 kicks in I'll need proof of onward travel, right? Does anyone know if you can book a ferry ticket from the ROK to Japan online? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2010 10:39 pm Post subject: Re: How long to process visa numbers? |
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| chaz47 wrote: |
I hate to sound like a gimp, but I'm in BKK and trying to budget long enough to make it back to Korea and still manage to put money down for key money. I know once I get there it'll be cold and miserable... but at least it'll be quiet(er). I feel like I haven't slept properly since I left the US last week.
So... how long does it take them to issue my numbers now that they've got my paperwork?
I'm figuring to fly up as soon as I get my E-2 even though it won't kick in until late December/beginning January. I should be OK on a tourist visa to do some apartment hunting.
And, yeah... the time-honored saying that Thailand is not the place you want to count your pennies is absolutely true. |
4-10 days to process a visa confirmation number.
2-4 days to get your visa in BKK.
You are aware that after you get your E2 you CANNOT enter as a tourist (you will activate your E2 when you enter).
This means you will need to get an extension 11 months from now to enable you to complete your contract.
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chaz47
Joined: 11 Sep 2003
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| Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2010 11:04 pm Post subject: Re: How long to process visa numbers? |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
4-10 days to process a visa confirmation number.
2-4 days to get your visa in BKK.
You are aware that after you get your E2 you CANNOT enter as a tourist (you will activate your E2 when you enter).
This means you will need to get an extension 11 months from now to enable you to complete your contract.
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This time table sounds better however since I expressed my interest in getting there sooner I've yet to hear from my new boss. It's been two days and usually the office is very good about keeping in contact with me. It's hard to say what's going on on there end and I'm opting to be optimistic.
Since I don't actually have the numbers yet then I should be OK to enter as a tourist, no? Then once I'm issued numbers I'll have to leave for at least a day to process the visa.
This guest house thing is a huge sweaty ordeal and the money I'm spending would be more useful for pots, pans, etc. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2010 12:36 am Post subject: Re: How long to process visa numbers? |
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| chaz47 wrote: |
| ttompatz wrote: |
4-10 days to process a visa confirmation number.
2-4 days to get your visa in BKK.
You are aware that after you get your E2 you CANNOT enter as a tourist (you will activate your E2 when you enter).
This means you will need to get an extension 11 months from now to enable you to complete your contract.
. |
This time table sounds better however since I expressed my interest in getting there sooner I've yet to hear from my new boss. It's been two days and usually the office is very good about keeping in contact with me. It's hard to say what's going on on there end and I'm opting to be optimistic.
Since I don't actually have the numbers yet then I should be OK to enter as a tourist, no? Then once I'm issued numbers I'll have to leave for at least a day to process the visa.
This guest house thing is a huge sweaty ordeal and the money I'm spending would be more useful for pots, pans, etc. |
If you want to fly in as a tourist and do a visa run when you get the confirmation number then that is an option.
You can rest assured that your employer likely won't be paying for your airfare AND your visa run costs. If you are heading for a place that isn't paying the airfare anyway then fill your boots and do what you want.
If you hate the costs of BKK grab a bus out to the provinces or the coast and kick back and enjoy your time in the sun. You can rent a partly furnished bachelor apartment (with aircon) for a month for about 7000 baht and the small thai restaurants are cheap 20-40 per meal with softdrink.
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Los Angeloser
Joined: 26 Aug 2010
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2010 3:52 pm Post subject: |
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| I'd be very surprised if you ever receive a number so far in advance of your actual start date. Why did you go to Thailand in hopes to get a number, you could've gotten a number in your home country if you had an earlier/immediate start date upon arrival in Seoul. Don't expect a number unless your start date is within a week or less. |
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Sector7G
Joined: 24 May 2008
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| Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2010 5:27 pm Post subject: Re: How long to process visa numbers? |
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| chaz47 wrote: |
This guest house thing is a huge sweaty ordeal and the money I'm spending would be more useful for pots, pans, etc. |
I stayed here for about 8 bucks US a day for a nice clean room, and for just a few bucks more had some of the most delicious food in the world, washed down by a nice cold and cheap Singha beer. Check it out-not far from the airport.
http://www.sananwan.com/ |
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chaz47
Joined: 11 Sep 2003
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| Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 8:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Los Angeloser wrote: |
| I'd be very surprised if you ever receive a number so far in advance of your actual start date. Why did you go to Thailand in hopes to get a number, you could've gotten a number in your home country if you had an earlier/immediate start date upon arrival in Seoul. Don't expect a number unless your start date is within a week or less. |
I had been home in the US since February/March and hadn't worked at all. And I had resolved to head back to Asia to do more TEFL work before my savings dipped below $10k.
I did a bit of research on Bangkok and heard that if you network and budget it can be comparable to Korea with all the freelance possibilites. I didn't however take into account this heat and humidity... it's too much for me. Luckily I planned a return trip to the ROK and brought all my documents over with me. I got offered a job in Korea about a week ago.
My teaching visa is supposed to kick in the middle of December but I also have to select my own apartment. I figure I'll go in as a tourist. Drop the majority of my luggage at a buddy's place and stay in a goshiwon while I hunt for an apartment. I'll be teaching splits in a university area so finding a quiet place is key. Hopefully finding a quiet place near the school isn't impossible. |
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swashbuckler
Joined: 20 Nov 2010
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| Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 9:36 pm Post subject: |
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| chaz47 wrote: |
| Los Angeloser wrote: |
| I'd be very surprised if you ever receive a number so far in advance of your actual start date. Why did you go to Thailand in hopes to get a number, you could've gotten a number in your home country if you had an earlier/immediate start date upon arrival in Seoul. Don't expect a number unless your start date is within a week or less. |
I had been home in the US since February/March and hadn't worked at all. And I had resolved to head back to Asia to do more TEFL work before my savings dipped below $10k.
I did a bit of research on Bangkok and heard that if you network and budget it can be comparable to Korea with all the freelance possibilites. I didn't however take into account this heat and humidity... it's too much for me. Luckily I planned a return trip to the ROK and brought all my documents over with me. I got offered a job in Korea about a week ago.
My teaching visa is supposed to kick in the middle of December but I also have to select my own apartment. I figure I'll go in as a tourist. Drop the majority of my luggage at a buddy's place and stay in a goshiwon while I hunt for an apartment. I'll be teaching splits in a university area so finding a quiet place is key. Hopefully finding a quiet place near the school isn't impossible. |
How did you find your job? Just curious. |
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hagwonnewbie
Joined: 09 Feb 2007
Location: Asia
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| Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 7:03 am Post subject: |
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| 13 days and still waiting for me. Maybe that's only 9 business days though. |
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eb
Joined: 24 Nov 2010
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| Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 10:21 am Post subject: |
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Why the hell are you talking about pots' in Thailand?
I saw you at the pool hall, man.
EB. |
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