Korean Job Discussion Forums

Mikejelai · Joined: 01 Nov 2009 Location: Seoul

I am doing some academic research (for an upcoming publication) regarding the increase/decrease in visa overstays by Koreans visiting the USA now that the visa waiver program is in effect. So far I haven't been able to get any info from the US State Department or the Korean government.

Anyone have any info/links?

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

Not on koreans per se...but the current cumulative overstay rate from VWP countries is less than 1 percent.
Too soon to tell....however, once more time passes...an accurate overstay rate on koreans will be known.
koreans do NOT automatically get the visa.....for example, other VWP countries....folks can buy a ticket to the U.S., get on the plane and fly to the U.S. ......koreans need to apply for a visa, get screened, approved, etc....
You take for example let's say, 20 year old Japanese, German, Australian unmarried college female...wanting to visit the U.S.....no hurdles to jump....unles you are korean.
A 20 year old korean female without a job, strong ties to korea is not getting a visa.
The other issues is still prostitution....massage joints, buy me "drinkee bars"......korean females are still the "leaders" in these areas in the U.S. and other countries as well.
The prostitution issues were the main reason koreans were not in the VWP to begin with. And that was from the U.S. embassy in korea some years back.

http://securitydebrief.adfero.com/2010/05/12/visa-waiver-program-not-a-primary-contributor-to-illegal-immigrant-population/

conrad2 · Joined: 05 Nov 2009

I don't understand the Visa waiver program for Koreans. They still have to go for the interview and get approved? How is this any different than before they were added to the VWP list of countries?

Mikejelai · Joined: 01 Nov 2009 Location: Seoul

Yes, I guess I will have to wait a while longer to get any reliable overstay data. According to Wikipedia, Korean overstays (in the US) were around 2% before the visa waiver program went into effect. Looks like I will have to file a freedom of information request in order to get the US gov't. to respond. But that is easy enough.