Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kamo]

Hi,

I'm a female gyopo born in the States. Both my parents were naturalized in the US before I was born, but have not renounced their Korean citizenships, and would not like to.

I was told by the Korean Consulate here that I would need to show documentation that my parents renounced their Korean citizenships.

Am I still eligible for the F-4 Visa if my parents do not renounce their Korean citizenships? If that's not possible, my only other option would be to apply for the E-2 Visa.

If I apply for the E-2 here, would it be easier to get the F-4 when I arrive in Korea? Is it possible to have both visas concurrently?

I'm still new to a lot of this, so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[pkang0202]

Your parents need to renounce their citizenship.

Tell your parents that they TOO are eligible for F4 visas when they renounce their citizenship. They can visit KOrea anytime they wanted, own property, and even start a business in if they so inclined. They can do everything a Korean can do except vote or get house/car loans in KOREA. Considering they live in the US, and have a car and house already, holding onto the Korean citizenship while they are US citizens make little sense.


As for you, having an F visa is well worth the trouble. I strongly suggest you opt for the F4 instead of the E2. Tell your parents they can get F4 visas as well.

[ttompatz]

[amoonbot]

Both parents don't have to renounce their citizenship. Only one parent has to do it. If your either of your parents feel uncomfortable of renouncing their citizenship, what pkang0202 said is true. They can go back to Korea any time and do basically what they did before they left for the U.S. And if anything, at least one parent still didn't renounce.

I was in a similar situation a few years back when applying for my F-4 Visa. My dad didn't want to risk his status in Korea but after the consulate and immigration assured him he would be ok in case he wanted to return to Korea, he signed away.

[pikadoopoo]

Please note that age is a big factor as well. If you weren't 22 by May 4, 2010, you're stuck with dual citizenship. As a female, you can renounce your Korean citizenship, but it's a complicated process that takes several months. If this doesn't apply to you, just have one of your parents formally renounce their Korean citizenship, then apply for an F4.

[kamo]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm going to apply for the F-4 Visa as I was over the age of 22 by May 4, 2010, and try to persuade one of my parents to renounce their Korean citizenships.

[aznhybrid]

[pkang0202]