Korean Job Discussion Forums

[madkisso]

Hi,
Sorry to bother, but I could really use some help. I read through past F-4 threads and searched, but didn't find anything. If an answer to my question is there and I missed it, again, so sorry.

Anyways, I am currently in the US and will be for another year before I go back to Korea, but my F-4 visa is due to...expire? in several months. I was wondering if anyone could tell me the process for renewal within the US and what documents I need. I remember doing so much research and reading of threads in preparation for applying for the F-4 for the first time, but unfortunately, I have retained nothing of that experience. Thanks in advance for any help and info.
Michelle

[slasher]

http://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/index.html -> English -> Information -> Immigration Guide -> Overseas Koreans -> Purpose / procedure of residence statement -> Extension of Stay of Overseas Koreans

The English pages does not say anything about where to apply for extension, but the same page in Korean says you need to go to the immigration office in person, or apply online on the same site.

I'd be a bit skeptical about the last part, as Korean homepages are usually not all that user friendly if you are not using Windows XP (Korean version, or sooner or later you'll have font problems) and Internet Explorer 6. Probably you may need a Korean digital certificate as well and download millions of programs to get everything to work. But you can try I guess.

Perhaps you'd also like to read Purpose / procedure of residence statement -> Domestic Residency Report "Return of Residence Report Card of Overseas Koreans" section at the bottom to see if it applied to you when you left Korea.

[madkisso]

Thanks so much for your help. I will try to look at all of that. I called the korean embassy in L.A., which is where I applied for and received my F-4 visa. However, I think the lady on the end might have been confused by what I was asking. She told me that in order to renew my Visa while in the states, I would basically have to do everything over again, as if I was applying for the first time. I'm hoping that's not the only way.

[amoonbot]

You can't renew in the U.S. When you first got your F-4, the consulate only stamped your passport with the visa page. The actual F-4 ARC is under the jurisdiction of the Korean immigration office, so you have to go in directly to renew it.

I'm not quite sure if you have to resubmit any documents when reinstating/reapplying for another F-4 visa. It all depends on the immigration officer. In any case, it shouldn't be difficult to obtain your F-4 visa again once it expires.

[madkisso]

Thanks amoonbot. I guess the lady at the embassy wasn't confused. I can at least breathe a sigh of relief because I know, now. And hopefully, as you mentioned, it won't be hard to apply for another F-4. Thanks again.