Korean Job Discussion Forums

[moleyy]

Hi all,

I will be visiting Korea next month for vacation, however last September I had a E-2 VISA and was supposed to start a job at a hagwon in Seoul, however a few days before I flew out I fell ill and spent a few weeks in hospital and my employer wouldn't allow an extension to the starting date (Understandable I guess).

Does anyone know if i will encounter a problem at Immigration when I try to get a tourist VISA because in my passport I still technically have an active E-2 VISA, would it have been sorted by the employer notifying Immigration when I couldn't fly out last September? (He said I would be blacklisted from getting a E-2 VISA in the future). The purpose of my visit will be purely as a vacation, I won't be for trying to find a new job or anything.

If anyone has any information or ideas it would be really helpful.

Thanks

[modernseoul]

As long as you have a return ticket and prearranged accommodation it shouldn't be an issue. But I think every situation is different and it might depend on how your previous sponsor reacted.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[luckylady]

your visa stamp was put into your passport from outside Korea.

whenever you enter into Korea, and pass through the immigration lines, the officer will open your passport, see your visa and look it up on the computer.

however, they will know even before they look it up that something's not up since it will be dated back in Sept and you are just now arriving; that is, if this was a current visa, it would be acknowledged as such (initialed, stamped, whatever) in your passport upon your arrival.

you can say something at that point "I wasn't able to come then" if you want; or reply appropriately if asked, but mostly that will depend on the officer if they want to know or not (or even care). your visa had never been validated and will be noted as such, probably by having a line drawn through it by the officer, or even "canceled" written on it, no biggie.

then they will stamp you a tourist visa and you're good to go. and yes, probably you will need the return tkt.

[bbud656]

I doubt it will be a problem. I have a big cancelled stamp on my first E2 visa. It didnt stop me from getting a second one 6 months later, I doubt they will even notice.

[ttompatz]