Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Southernroots]

I am having trouble getting in touch with the Korean Consulate for my Visa. Has anybody on here had this problem? I keep leaving a message with Ms. Smith in Atlanta, and she does not return my phone call or my email. It has been a week, and I am supposed to be leaving for South Korea in less than a month. What should I do?

Have any of you had experience dealing with the Atlanta Consulate? Is this a place I can go to and bring my paperwork? Please advise. Thanks!

[MyNameIsNobody]

From what I've been reading, it seems like every consulate has different procedures and rules. I obtained my visa from the NYC consulate, and found the service there to be annoyingly bad. Most of my calls were unanswered, none of them were returned, and I was given incorrect information regarding the return date for my visa/passport.

This thread ( http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=204279&highlight= ) discusses people's experiences with different consulates, and from my skimming, I noted at least one person who had an experience that does not bode well for your dealings with the Atlanta consulate.

Best of luck.

[SeoulNate]

[AHawk843]

I found better success contacting the Atlanta consulate via e-mail: [email protected] (no joke.)

They got me in same day, even though I was originally told on the phone they were booked for a week.

[Southernroots]

When you contacted the Korean Consulate by gmail, did you already send them your passport with accompanied documents? Or did you set up the interview beforehand?

Do you think I should fly or drive down to Atlanta and try to handle this in person? I have sent them 3 emails thus far and have received no response.

[Hokie21]

I contacted the DC Consulate a few weeks back and midway through answering my question the lady on the line started yelling gibberish at me. I paused....asked her "what?" and she continued yelling at me.

Left a great first impression with dealing with Korean officials.

[Southernroots]

I finally got in touch with Ms. Smith from the Atlanta Consulate. She is actually super sweet in person, but seems WAY overworked. She is the only person handling the Visa information at the Atlanta Consulate, so I'm glad that I just kept calling until I found a person.

There is no longer an in person interview required for the Visa. They changed this rule in April, so here are the new requirements, and everything must be mailed in or brought in person.


� One official transcript OR a notarized copy of your diploma
� Visa confirmation number OR original Notice of Appointment (copies will not be accepted), provided by the institute
� Copy of employment contract (does not need to be signed by the employer)
� Documents regarding establishment of Korean school or organization (All you have to do is simply write down the address, phone, contact name of the school in Korea. This is nothing official from your school.)
� Completed Visa Application
� Completed Consul Checklist
� Completed Health Statement
� One passport size photo
� Passport- YOU MUST SEND YOUR ACTUAL PASSPORT. THE VISA ISSUING OFFICER MUST STAMP DIRECTLY IN TO THE PASSPORT.
� $45 (cash or money orders only made payable to Korean Consulate. Personal checks are NOT acceptable)
� Resume detailing your work/teaching experience including all experience in Korea
� Postage paid self-addressed Express Mail (USPS) or FedEx envelope for return of your documents & visa- (if you are picking up your visa then you do not need to send the envelope)