Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Konglishman]

Yes, that's right. My passport went through the washer and the dryer for that matter. I was visiting my family for my grandmother's 90th birthday, and without asking me, my mom put my clothes in the wash including my dress shirt which had my passport in the shirt pocket. And of course, I am scheduled to fly back to Korea in a little less than 3 days from now.

Needless to say, my passport is a little bent out of shape from the abuse of going through the washer and dryer. Except for being overly bent, the passport pages are in perfect condition. With the exception of the previous entry stamps into Korea, all of the other stamps are still in perfect condition.

Fortunately, my work visa is in my old expired passport (which did not go through the wash and is in my possession) which immigration could not be bothered to transfer to my current passport. I guess I am glad now that they refused to do that. And yes, I have an alien registration card.

I am an experienced traveler and have been traveling and/or working overseas off and on for the past 10 and half years. So, I have to say I am a little embarrassed that this has happened to me. Anyways, needless to say, I am a little worried now. Have any of you been in a similar position before and what happened?

[HunterORL23]

damn dude... that sux

[Son Deureo!]

While I'm not proud of it, I actually have experience with this. Is the ID page on your passport still in decent shape? If it is, and you also have your ARC, you should be able to get back into the country OK. Once you get back to Korea, apply at the embassy for a replacement passport.

[minos]

mine did the same...works fine for years now

[prairiemaker]

I would be calling all the people and offices along the way that will be handling your passport and explaining your situation so they know in advance you are going to be handing them a chewed up passport along with your old one. I have never had this happen, but have talked to customs and immigration offices of several places before flying for various things over the years. For example my wife is flying ahead of me to Bangalore India on a spousal visa. Normally I should be there, but will instead follow her two weeks later. They know she is coming so there will be no hassle. A phone call in advance can save you a lot of the hassle you might get just showing up.

[Konglishman]

[tjinh200]

[DaHu]

Parents are the worst. They're ALWAYS doing retarded stuff like this. Well, mine at least, and it seems I'm not alone.

I did it, washed out a couple ink stamps, but the visas were in good shape, they're strong.

[West Coast Tatterdemalion]

Your mom still washes your clothes???

[Murakano]

[Vox_Populi]

I worked for over 10 years in the passport/visa courier industry and encountered this very problem a number of times. I can tell you with some authority that you MUST:

Go to [url]travel.state.gov[/url] to make an appointment at your nearest passport agency.

&

Take the items that the website tells you, including your damaged passport and proof of travel.

They can issue a passport as fast as same-day-processing. You have no time to waste so HURRY!!!

[southernman]

Had the same thing happen to me a few years ago, took my clothes in a backpack and dropped them off at a Laundry. I was running late and just asked the laundry to clean the clothes.

They must have just tipped the bag upside down and shook it. Because my passport got dislodged from an inside pocket, yup I know I was stupid.

Anyway, long story short When I first applied to get a work Visa in Korea. The Korean Consulate wouldn't accept my Passport. As they pointed out the chip that are now in all passports would probably be buggered from having taken a swim. The thing is it still looked ok a little bit bedraggled but I thought serviceable. In the day's before micro-chips in passports it would have been fine.

I'd apply to get another passport because yours is probably useless. As someone else pointed out its not that uncommon to have this problem.

[southernman]

oops double post

[canactuary]

I accidentally washed my Canadian passport. I dried it carefully and it was fine, except it had the ruffle chips ridge look. At that point, I did not have time to replace, so decided that I might as well try to use it. When trying to fly from Toronto to London, they refused to accept it unfortunately.

If you're American, perhaps things will be different. If you're Canadian, I know there is an expedited service for a fee. If you're able to replace your passport before your departure date, I'd recommend you to replace it. That way you will be confident you'll be able to depart.

Good luck.

[nate1983]