Korean Job Discussion Forums

[beach_bum]

Hi,

Really hoping someone can help me out with this- I seem to be getting different information everywhere I look!

I'm hoping to go to Beijing in September for Chuseok. My Alien Registration Card will be out of date in December, so I will have less than six months left on it when I go to China. I've been told that in order to get a visa for China you must have at least 6months left on your ARC. Can anyone verify whether this is true or not?

I don't want to book flights and then not be able to get a visa!! Any help would be great! Oh, I should probably mention I'm Irish and will be going to Beijing for 4nights.
Thanks!!

[alwaysbeclosing100]

xanadu.co.kr will do the visa....an arc card under 6 months is an extra $20 i think......

[beach_bum]

Thanks alwaysbeclosing100 but looked on xanadu and this is from their website.....
"From on 29 March 2011, Chinese embassy accept visa applicants who has more than 6 month valid ARC only. (Alien Registration Card )"

I wonder is their anyway around this?! Maybe applying for a visa through the Chinese embassy in Ireland??

It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me because my passport is valid for years yet- I don't see why my Korean ARC should be an issue when I'm not a Korean citizen!

Also, I wonder does the 6months on your ARC apply from the date you apply for a visa or from your arrival date in China?

[busanliving]

I have a feelng it might be from the date you get your visa, kangsan were still saying they could get the visa but I would give them a call before you book the flights.

[alwaysbeclosing100]

i think you will be ok as long as you have 6 months on your arc from the date of application not the date of travel/visa period.

http://xanadu.co.kr/eng/spaceBBS/bbs.asp?act=read&bbs=eng_notice&no=254

otherwise my best suggestion is to mail your passport to your home country where an arc card is meaningless.....

maybe use one of the visa services in your home country or there are lots of places in bangkok(or other major cities in asia) that will do china visas.

[beach_bum]

Thanks for all the help!!