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clustered
Joined: 08 Sep 2010
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 Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 11:21 pm Post subject: Visa Run in Tokyo or Fukuoka - E2 processing times? |
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How long does it take these days to get an E2 visa at the consulate in Fukuoka compared to the consulate in Tokyo?
Tossing up where to take a visa run... |
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hwarangi
Joined: 17 Nov 2008
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| Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 12:06 am Post subject: |
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When I did a visa run to Fukuoka the visa process just took overnight.
i.e. get an early enough flight, submit your paperwork the same day, then pick it up the next day.
That was 2008, though. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 12:45 am Post subject: Re: Visa Run in Tokyo or Fukuoka - E2 processing times? |
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| clustered wrote: |
How long does it take these days to get an E2 visa at the consulate in Fukuoka compared to the consulate in Tokyo?
Tossing up where to take a visa run... |
Fukuoka = overnight processing.
Osaka = overnight processing.
Tokyo = 2-3 nights (3-4 days) for processing.
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clustered
Joined: 08 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 1:34 am Post subject: Re: Visa Run in Tokyo or Fukuoka - E2 processing times? |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| clustered wrote: |
How long does it take these days to get an E2 visa at the consulate in Fukuoka compared to the consulate in Tokyo?
Tossing up where to take a visa run... |
Fukuoka = overnight processing.
Osaka = overnight processing.
Tokyo = 2-3 nights (3-4 days) for processing.
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Great, thanks. Do the applications need to be in by a certain time? Where are you getting the info? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 8:36 pm Post subject: Re: Visa Run in Tokyo or Fukuoka - E2 processing times? |
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| clustered wrote: |
| ttompatz wrote: |
| clustered wrote: |
How long does it take these days to get an E2 visa at the consulate in Fukuoka compared to the consulate in Tokyo?
Tossing up where to take a visa run... |
Fukuoka = overnight processing.
Osaka = overnight processing.
Tokyo = 2-3 nights (3-4 days) for processing.
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Great, thanks. Do the applications need to be in by a certain time? Where are you getting the info? |
Personal experience. Tokyo has always been 4 days. For the other 2 it has been pretty standard and has not changed since they went away from same day to overnight processing back in 2006.
Usually in by 2 and pickup by 2 the next day but Fukuoka often lets people submit by 4 and pick-up the next day.
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Caffeinated
Joined: 11 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 10:06 pm Post subject: Re: Visa Run in Tokyo or Fukuoka - E2 processing times? |
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| clustered wrote: |
| Do the applications need to be in by a certain time? Where are you getting the info? |
At Osaka it must be in by 2 for overnight processing. |
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UncleAlex
Joined: 04 Apr 2003
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| Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 12:53 am Post subject: Re: Visa Run in Tokyo or Fukuoka - E2 processing times? |
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| clustered wrote: |
How long does it take these days to get an E2 visa at the consulate in Fukuoka compared to the consulate in Tokyo?
Tossing up where to take a visa run... |
In Fukuoka you can take the subway directly from the airport to the Korean Consulate in just several stops. It's quite a hike in Osaka and Tokyo.  |
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Troglodyte
Joined: 06 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 10:44 pm Post subject: Re: Visa Run in Tokyo or Fukuoka - E2 processing times? |
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| clustered wrote: |
How long does it take these days to get an E2 visa at the consulate in Fukuoka compared to the consulate in Tokyo?
Tossing up where to take a visa run... |
If your employer is paying for it, and they're letting you choose, then go for Tokyo. It takes longer and it's more expensive, but if you're not paying then it means a longer vacation. Plus, Tokyo has more stuff to see and do than Fukuoka.
As mentioned already, Fukuoka will let people submit applications until 4pm (usually) but the official cut off time is 2pm. You are supposed to come between 10am and 2pm the next day to pick up the visa/passport but if you tell them you have to hurry to the airport, they'll usually let you come in at 9am.
Fukuoka seems to be the cheapest option. You can get a return flight (2-way) from Seoul plus one night in a business hotel (really small rooms) for about 300,000 Won. Many travel agents have package offers. If you're in Busan, you save a bit by taking the ferry. Fukuoka has a great subway system. It goes right from the airport almost to the Korean consulate. And it also stops in the main train station and the big shopping and entertainment districts. If you go to Fukuoka, get yourself a one day pass when you arrive at the airport station. It will be cheaper than buying tickets for each ride.
With any destination, make sure to take Japanese Yen with you (or an international currency, or an international credit/debit card). It's not always easy to find a place to exchange Won while you're there - especially Fukuoka. |
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clustered
Joined: 08 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 3:55 am Post subject: Re: Visa Run in Tokyo or Fukuoka - E2 processing times? |
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| Troglodyte wrote: |
| clustered wrote: |
How long does it take these days to get an E2 visa at the consulate in Fukuoka compared to the consulate in Tokyo?
Tossing up where to take a visa run... |
If your employer is paying for it, and they're letting you choose, then go for Tokyo. It takes longer and it's more expensive, but if you're not paying then it means a longer vacation. Plus, Tokyo has more stuff to see and do than Fukuoka.
As mentioned already, Fukuoka will let people submit applications until 4pm (usually) but the official cut off time is 2pm. You are supposed to come between 10am and 2pm the next day to pick up the visa/passport but if you tell them you have to hurry to the airport, they'll usually let you come in at 9am.
Fukuoka seems to be the cheapest option. You can get a return flight (2-way) from Seoul plus one night in a business hotel (really small rooms) for about 300,000 Won. Many travel agents have package offers. If you're in Busan, you save a bit by taking the ferry. Fukuoka has a great subway system. It goes right from the airport almost to the Korean consulate. And it also stops in the main train station and the big shopping and entertainment districts. If you go to Fukuoka, get yourself a one day pass when you arrive at the airport station. It will be cheaper than buying tickets for each ride.
With any destination, make sure to take Japanese Yen with you (or an international currency, or an international credit/debit card). It's not always easy to find a place to exchange Won while you're there - especially Fukuoka. |
Thanks for the informative response. Can you recommend a travel agent? Most ones I've contacted are talking about 400k without any hotel. |
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Andyc24_uk
Joined: 21 May 2007
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Epik_Teacher
Joined: 28 Apr 2010
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| Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 4:42 pm Post subject: |
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You can even take a one of those Hydrofoil ferries from Pusan to Fukuoka, it takes about 3 hours or so. If you go to Hakata (think Gu in Korea) a couple stops from the Consulate, you can find a room in a "green hotel" aka businessman's hotel for about US$50.
There are lots of them around the Hakata subway exit and they are easy to find. You have to check in before 3:00, tho. They aren't huge, but it's a bed, a locked door and hot shower. That's pretty much all you need for an overnight trip. |
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Troglodyte
Joined: 06 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 12:30 am Post subject: Re: Visa Run in Tokyo or Fukuoka - E2 processing times? |
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| clustered wrote: |
| Troglodyte wrote: |
| clustered wrote: |
How long does it take these days to get an E2 visa at the consulate in Fukuoka compared to the consulate in Tokyo?
Tossing up where to take a visa run... |
Fukuoka seems to be the cheapest option. You can get a return flight (2-way) from Seoul plus one night in a business hotel (really small rooms) for about 300,000 Won. Many travel agents have package offers. If you're in Busan, you save a bit by taking the ferry.
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Thanks for the informative response. Can you recommend a travel agent? Most ones I've contacted are talking about 400k without any hotel. |
I can't remember now. I once used a travel agency in Bucheon in New Core mall next to the bus station. I used another in Seoul near Sinchon station. But I've asked at a bunch of travel agents. Many have an offer for Fukuoka. Make sure that you go to a place that sells package tours. This isn't really a package tour but it's similar (flight and hotel). Tell the travel agents that you specifically want to know about package deals. I've stayed at the SunLife Hotel next to the main train station in Fukuoka (Hakata station). It's on the main subway line so it's convenient. I've met a lot of other foreigners there who were also getting their visas (E2 and others). The rooms are VERY small but you're only staying the one night. There are also a bunch of small hotels and such in that area. Plenty of foreigners just look around after they've dropped off their documents at the consulate. |
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chachee99
Joined: 20 Oct 2004
Location: Seoul Korea
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| Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 12:01 am Post subject: |
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I am going on my visa run next Tuesday. have a choice of going to Osaka or Fukoka for my visa run. The school will pay the plane ticket, but I have to cover the rest. Which is the better option?
Where is the Korean consulate in Osaka and Fukoka? How much is a really cheap hotel in each city?
Also, all I have to pring is my passport and E2 visa number that immigration has issued, right? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 12:23 am Post subject: |
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| chachee99 wrote: |
I am going on my visa run next Tuesday. have a choice of going to Osaka or Fukoka for my visa run. The school will pay the plane ticket, but I have to cover the rest. Which is the better option?
Where is the Korean consulate in Osaka and Fukoka? How much is a really cheap hotel in each city?
Also, all I have to pring is my passport and E2 visa number that immigration has issued, right? |
There are threads in the travel forum (sticky) that give full details about the visa runs to both places.
Either way you will need about 20,000 yen all in (visa costs, hotel, food, transportation, etc).
At the consulate you will need your passport, application, confirmation number, photo, fee and application.
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olsanairbase
Joined: 30 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 2:57 am Post subject: |
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Fukoaka is cheaper and faster
If you are a guy you can stay at a businessman hotel which are about the same price as capsule hotels much nicer and cleaner.
You could also take a ferry to Shimonoseki which I used a while back but its not a hydrofoil. Its an overnighter.
I got the first class sleeper cabin and splurged a bit with my own bathroom and shower in it.
Shimonoseki is fun because you can watch the world's ships navigate the narrow straight that all of them use to get from Asia to the West from a cliffside. It's fun and free to do.
If you somehow get real low on cash you could always go to a bath house put your stuff in a locker then sleep there in one of their chairs hat have televisions and everything else in it and are fully reclinable. |
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