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sundizz
Joined: 17 Dec 2009
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 Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:15 pm Post subject: Visa Options for Koreans going to the US? |
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| What are the visa options for Koreans going to the US and/or any requirements? Thought i'd ask here to supplement my googling. |
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SMOE NSET
Joined: 25 Feb 2010
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:36 pm Post subject: |
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| For what reason would they be travelling to the U.S.? If just for a visit, you can apply for the visa-waiver program. |
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sundizz
Joined: 17 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:53 pm Post subject: |
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Okay, that is the first thing I came across in my research as well. For the visa waiver program is there something they actually need to do, or is it they simply buy an airplane ticket and show up to the US and they can get in and stay for 90 days? Any idea of the limitations? Such as, could they stay for 90 days, then leave for two weeks, then come back for another 90 days?
Well, just thinking ahead for myself and my Korean gf. We've only been going out 8 months, but I'm not planning to leave until Next April. She speaks English fluently and studied in the US during high school. Just curious at this point mostly..a lot can happen between now and then. |
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T-J
Joined: 10 Oct 2008
Location: Seoul EunpyungGu Yeonsinnae
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soomin
Joined: 18 Jun 2009
Location: Daegu
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| Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 10:17 pm Post subject: |
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| sundizz wrote: |
| Okay, that is the first thing I came across in my research as well. For the visa waiver program is there something they actually need to do, or is it they simply buy an airplane ticket and show up to the US and they can get in and stay for 90 days? Any idea of the limitations? Such as, could they stay for 90 days, then leave for two weeks, then come back for another 90 days? |
You first need to make sure she has a new passport (not just current) that has a computer chip in it (MRP -machine-readable passport). If she doesn't she will have to get that kind of passport or apply for a visa (it takes 3 business days to obtain).
I went to the airport with my Korean fiance and had to leave without him because his passport was the old model. Without an MRP, a foreigner cannot enter the US under the Visa Waiver program, aka, without a visa. It was a big mess and because we were leaving on Friday, he ran to the Seoul immi, applied, and had to catch a plane the next Tuesday T.T What a mess! |
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isitts
Joined: 25 Dec 2008
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2012 11:28 pm Post subject: |
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| soomin wrote: |
| sundizz wrote: |
| Okay, that is the first thing I came across in my research as well. For the visa waiver program is there something they actually need to do, or is it they simply buy an airplane ticket and show up to the US and they can get in and stay for 90 days? Any idea of the limitations? Such as, could they stay for 90 days, then leave for two weeks, then come back for another 90 days? |
You first need to make sure she has a new passport (not just current) that has a computer chip in it (MRP -machine-readable passport). If she doesn't she will have to get that kind of passport or apply for a visa (it takes 3 business days to obtain).
I went to the airport with my Korean fiance and had to leave without him because his passport was the old model. Without an MRP, a foreigner cannot enter the US under the Visa Waiver program, aka, without a visa. It was a big mess and because we were leaving on Friday, he ran to the Seoul immi, applied, and had to catch a plane the next Tuesday T.T What a mess! |
Would there be any other reasons someone would be rejected under the visa waiver program? My old co-teacher is planning on visiting her friend in New York this summer and as worried about being turned away at the airport.
She's heard of people getting approved for the waiver in Korea only to be rejected at US immigration. I don't know if these are just rumors but I guess she wants to be cautious and get the visa.
She has a new passport and is bringing her two kids with her. They'll be there under 90 days.
Anyway, just wondering... |
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soomin
Joined: 18 Jun 2009
Location: Daegu
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| Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2012 11:42 pm Post subject: |
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| isitts wrote: |
Would there be any other reasons someone would be rejected under the visa waiver program? My old co-teacher is planning on visiting her friend in New York this summer and as worried about being turned away at the airport.
She's heard of people getting approved for the waiver in Korea only to be rejected at US immigration. I don't know if these are just rumors but I guess she wants to be cautious and get the visa.
She has a new passport and is bringing her two kids with her. They'll be there under 90 days.
Anyway, just wondering... |
The only other thing would be if she didn't have a return ticket. People are often asked to show their return ticket so they can verify that they will only be there for 90 days. (Or if she's a wanted criminal... but that is doubtful, lol)
Check out T-J's link if you want to show her proof or want to read more about the Visa Waiver Program~ |
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isitts
Joined: 25 Dec 2008
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2012 11:49 pm Post subject: |
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| soomin wrote: |
| isitts wrote: |
Would there be any other reasons someone would be rejected under the visa waiver program? My old co-teacher is planning on visiting her friend in New York this summer and as worried about being turned away at the airport.
She's heard of people getting approved for the waiver in Korea only to be rejected at US immigration. I don't know if these are just rumors but I guess she wants to be cautious and get the visa.
She has a new passport and is bringing her two kids with her. They'll be there under 90 days.
Anyway, just wondering... |
The only other thing would be if she didn't have a return ticket. People are often asked to show their return ticket so they can verify that they will only be there for 90 days. (Or if she's a wanted criminal... but that is doubtful, lol)
Check out T-J's link if you want to show her proof or want to read more about the Visa Waiver Program~ |
Thanks for the quick response. Yeah, looked at the site TJ put up and...actually, I'm chatting with my co-teacher now and she just mentioned that she's had a visa application for the US rejected in the past. The site TJ posted does suggest getting a visa in that case.
Anyway, thanks, again. |
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Skippy
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Daejeon
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Lazio
Joined: 15 Dec 2010
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| Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 5:32 am Post subject: |
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| isitts wrote: |
Thanks for the quick response. Yeah, looked at the site TJ put up and...actually, I'm chatting with my co-teacher now and she just mentioned that she's had a visa application for the US rejected in the past. The site TJ posted does suggest getting a visa in that case.
Anyway, thanks, again. |
Having a rejected visa application in the past doesn�t mean that he/she won�t get the online permit (ESTA).
Although it is very important to mention this fact when filling out the online form! There is a question about rejected applications. That�s an automatic system and will not examine everyone�s past. But the officer will see everything at the port of entry so just be honest about the previous tries.
I know many people who had rejected visa applications (some even multiple times) and stated these on the online form, got the ESTA and entered the States. |
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motiontodismiss
Joined: 18 Dec 2011
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| Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 2:52 pm Post subject: |
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Depends on the purpose of going to the US.
Travel: visa waiver-need ESTA and a machine-readable passport (a "jeonja yeogwon" in Korean)
Travel (do not qualify for VWP): B1 or B2 (for business travel)
Study: F1 or J1
Dependent of someone on F1: F2
Work: H1B if new hire, L1 if transfer from Korean branch
Dependent of someone on H1B: H4
Diplomat or embassy staff/dependents: G1
Marriage: K1
Investment: Greencard, EB5 (I think the visa's E1 or something) |
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hellofaniceguy
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Location: On your computer screen!
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| Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 3:23 pm Post subject: |
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The VWP does NOT automatically guarantee ones' access to the U.S.
Still some hurdles to jump....
And this is a FACT....very very few young single korean women are granted access under the VWP. I have seen it with my OWN eyes standing in a line or two over the past few years while waiting to clear U.S. customs/Immigration.....a korean female is denied entry and sent back...it happens...
Unless she has strong ties, a STABLE job, some funds....just going for a visit....can prove difficult.
You take the average k young gal....20 something...no job or has a job flipping burgers type thing....she will not be allowed...she will be turned back....a few manage to slip through the cracks still.....the U.S. state department released some numbers last month and koreans are in the top 5 for NOT returning home.....the VWP is going to be reconsidered....not only that....a number of k women have been making their way into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico and working in massage joints all over the country....a black mark....
Same with Filipinas.....very few get visas. |
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motiontodismiss
Joined: 18 Dec 2011
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| Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 5:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Of course not. ESTA allows you to get on a plane to the US, the final decision's made at immigration. Seriously though, no job, very little money, history of overstaying visa....I'm Korean and I wouldn't even admit them. |
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isitts
Joined: 25 Dec 2008
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 8:18 pm Post subject: |
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| hellofaniceguy wrote: |
The VWP does NOT automatically guarantee ones' access to the U.S.
Still some hurdles to jump....
And this is a FACT....very very few young single korean women are granted access under the VWP. I have seen it with my OWN eyes standing in a line or two over the past few years while waiting to clear U.S. customs/Immigration.....a korean female is denied entry and sent back...it happens...
Unless she has strong ties, a STABLE job, some funds....just going for a visit....can prove difficult.
You take the average k young gal....20 something...no job or has a job flipping burgers type thing....she will not be allowed...she will be turned back....a few manage to slip through the cracks still.....the U.S. state department released some numbers last month and koreans are in the top 5 for NOT returning home.....the VWP is going to be reconsidered....not only that....a number of k women have been making their way into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico and working in massage joints all over the country....a black mark....
Same with Filipinas.....very few get visas. |
Thanks, hellofaniceguy. Yeah, that's about what happened to her 10+ years ago when she first tried to visit. Before she was married and before the VWP. She was travelling Europe and thought she'd go see her friend in the US (possibly the same friend she's trying to see now in New York).
Think she had the visa but was still denied entry at the airport (not sure if I'm getting that part right or if that's possible...but at any rate, she was denied entry for lack of funds and a stable job).
She's worried that history could repeat itself. And maybe it would. She's been married over 10 years now, has been a public school teacher at least that long, but she still gets mistaken for an agashi.
What's more, she wants to bring her two children with her, but her husband won't be coming (salaryman, can't get the time off, plus it's not his friend so why bother?). Would that raise any concerns with immigration?
My other co-teacher says she's never heard of a Korean public school teacher being denied entry...but when judgments are made based on how things appear...who knows? Sucks, but I guess with those stats of Koreans being in the top 5 of non-returners, what do you expect?
Anyway, thanks again, everyone, for the replies.
Last edited by isitts on Tue Jun 12, 2012 5:01 am; edited 1 time in total |
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isitts
Joined: 25 Dec 2008
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 4:52 am Post subject: |
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| Lazio wrote: |
| isitts wrote: |
Thanks for the quick response. Yeah, looked at the site TJ put up and...actually, I'm chatting with my co-teacher now and she just mentioned that she's had a visa application for the US rejected in the past. The site TJ posted does suggest getting a visa in that case.
Anyway, thanks, again. |
Having a rejected visa application in the past doesn�t mean that he/she won�t get the online permit (ESTA).
Although it is very important to mention this fact when filling out the online form! There is a question about rejected applications. That�s an automatic system and will not examine everyone�s past. But the officer will see everything at the port of entry so just be honest about the previous tries.
I know many people who had rejected visa applications (some even multiple times) and stated these on the online form, got the ESTA and entered the States. |
Thanks! That's encouraging. |
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