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homblagorg
Joined: 18 Nov 2013
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 Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2013 2:46 pm Post subject: Waiting on Visa Issue Number |
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So I accepted a job at a hagwon and the position starts the first of January. I sent all of my documents to my recruiter who then told me she would send them to the director of my school the next day. This all happened on Monday, but I have yet to get word that my director has sent my documents to immigration. I know I probably shouldn't be stressing about this as it's only been a few days, but I feel like this is cutting it a bit close with my work visa.
I know that on their end, the visa process can take a week or two, and then I need to travel to get my passport stamped after getting my issue number. Assuming everything gets processed fairly quickly if my director takes my papers to immigration on Monday, this still doesn't leave me much wiggle room before January first.
My question is if this is common: not getting this stuff til the last minute, potentially starting later than the contract states, documents not getting sent in a timely manner, etc. I just need to know when or if I need to start bugging my recruiter about the status of all this.
Thanks everyone. Any advice welcome. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sat Dec 07, 2013 1:05 am Post subject: |
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It is quite common and the process (after the documents arrive in Korea) typically takes 12-21 (working) days.
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Marquis
Joined: 25 Jul 2013
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| Posted: Sat Dec 07, 2013 3:42 am Post subject: |
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| Similar position here. Accepted a job with an early January date. Was told one to two weeks on their end and most visa places in the U.S. are another week. |
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homblagorg
Joined: 18 Nov 2013
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| Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 12:10 am Post subject: |
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Well, I still haven't heard anything. I'm mainly paranoid because my recruiter told me they would let me know as soon as the school director drops off my documents at immigration. If he hasn't even done this yet, how am I going to make the start date as stated on my contract?
Could something screwy be going on? I don't want to wait around only to eventually find out that even though I sent everything and signed a contract they decided they didn't want me. |
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Marquis
Joined: 25 Jul 2013
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| Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 7:47 am Post subject: |
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Have you e-mailed the recruiter for an update?
They could have got busy, some of them do have a lot on their plates. It could have simply slipped their mind also or maybe they didn't get an update from the school and need to recheck themselves. Processing times are of course going to vary, one to two weeks on their end, I know I was hoping for the week turn around hoping since its close to Christmas there would be fewer applicants.
As for your start date, don't worry about it, you'll get your visa soon and arrive soon after the start date or at the very worst they'll start you the first of the next month instead.
Patience. And also, you still are going to process your side of the visa in the U.S. if you haven't looked into that already it can be between four and ten days depending on your location. If you want to push it, the D.C. office has the shortest turn around time, if you were willing to fly in and personally walk in. |
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Hokie21
Joined: 01 Mar 2011
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| Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 9:50 am Post subject: |
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| Marquis wrote: |
Have you e-mailed the recruiter for an update?
They could have got busy, some of them do have a lot on their plates. It could have simply slipped their mind also or maybe they didn't get an update from the school and need to recheck themselves. Processing times are of course going to vary, one to two weeks on their end, I know I was hoping for the week turn around hoping since its close to Christmas there would be fewer applicants.
As for your start date, don't worry about it, you'll get your visa soon and arrive soon after the start date or at the very worst they'll start you the first of the next month instead.
Patience. And also, you still are going to process your side of the visa in the U.S. if you haven't looked into that already it can be between four and ten days depending on your location. If you want to push it, the D.C. office has the shortest turn around time, if you were willing to fly in and personally walk in. |
Curious here as I'm also waiting on a Visa number. I'm located in Philadelphia...I remember in the past I went to NYC to get my Visa but honestly I'd rather go down to D.C. since the drive is a lot easier and you say it has the shortest turn around?
For some reason I was under the impression that where you live determines which consulate office you must go to get your Visa? Is that not the cause or is D.C. the exception?
Cheers. |
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Marquis
Joined: 25 Jul 2013
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| Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 12:45 pm Post subject: |
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| Hokie21 wrote: |
| Marquis wrote: |
Have you e-mailed the recruiter for an update?
They could have got busy, some of them do have a lot on their plates. It could have simply slipped their mind also or maybe they didn't get an update from the school and need to recheck themselves. Processing times are of course going to vary, one to two weeks on their end, I know I was hoping for the week turn around hoping since its close to Christmas there would be fewer applicants.
As for your start date, don't worry about it, you'll get your visa soon and arrive soon after the start date or at the very worst they'll start you the first of the next month instead.
Patience. And also, you still are going to process your side of the visa in the U.S. if you haven't looked into that already it can be between four and ten days depending on your location. If you want to push it, the D.C. office has the shortest turn around time, if you were willing to fly in and personally walk in. |
Curious here as I'm also waiting on a Visa number. I'm located in Philadelphia...I remember in the past I went to NYC to get my Visa but honestly I'd rather go down to D.C. since the drive is a lot easier and you say it has the shortest turn around?
For some reason I was under the impression that where you live determines which consulate office you must go to get your Visa? Is that not the cause or is D.C. the exception?
Cheers. |
Hokie, going by the government website you should be working with the D.C. location anyway. Don't take my word for gospel on this part but I'm under the strong impression that you can physically walk into any Korean consulate location (not in SK), drop your papers, and wait. Hence, why people do visa runs in Japan, China, Thailand, ect. |
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Hokie21
Joined: 01 Mar 2011
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| Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 1:46 pm Post subject: |
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| Marquis wrote: |
| Hokie21 wrote: |
| Marquis wrote: |
Have you e-mailed the recruiter for an update?
They could have got busy, some of them do have a lot on their plates. It could have simply slipped their mind also or maybe they didn't get an update from the school and need to recheck themselves. Processing times are of course going to vary, one to two weeks on their end, I know I was hoping for the week turn around hoping since its close to Christmas there would be fewer applicants.
As for your start date, don't worry about it, you'll get your visa soon and arrive soon after the start date or at the very worst they'll start you the first of the next month instead.
Patience. And also, you still are going to process your side of the visa in the U.S. if you haven't looked into that already it can be between four and ten days depending on your location. If you want to push it, the D.C. office has the shortest turn around time, if you were willing to fly in and personally walk in. |
Curious here as I'm also waiting on a Visa number. I'm located in Philadelphia...I remember in the past I went to NYC to get my Visa but honestly I'd rather go down to D.C. since the drive is a lot easier and you say it has the shortest turn around?
For some reason I was under the impression that where you live determines which consulate office you must go to get your Visa? Is that not the cause or is D.C. the exception?
Cheers. |
Hokie, going by the government website you should be working with the D.C. location anyway. Don't take my word for gospel on this part but I'm under the strong impression that you can physically walk into any Korean consulate location (not in SK), drop your papers, and wait. Hence, why people do visa runs in Japan, China, Thailand, ect. |
Gotcha. That would be a bit more convenient. I guess I shouldn't be blindly following what I did 2 years ago. I'll dig into it this evening. Thanks for that. |
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Hokie21
Joined: 01 Mar 2011
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| Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 2:15 pm Post subject: |
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I came across this list of items you need to bring to the consulate to get your visa.
Visa issuance number
Visa application form (available at the Consulate)
One (1) official transcript sealed by your university
One (1) recent passport sized photo
Original passport (remaining validity of at least 1 year)
One (1) photocopy of passport
Original contract
Original university degree/diploma
Visa processing fee (cash or money order)
Is this correct?
I just don't remember needing to bring all this stuff for the visa....I guess I've forgotten a lot in the past two years...I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. |
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Marquis
Joined: 25 Jul 2013
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| Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 11:03 am Post subject: |
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I know I've seen a similar list posted, but I've been meaning to call the D.C. consulate anyway to make sure I'm able to simply show up so I'll ask them about their requirements as well. Most of those documents are ones I've sent to Korea already and if I happen to need another copy I'll need to get on that. Thankfully, the transcript is all I'd need but still, I should find that out.
I was told sometime ago that all I would need was my passport/visa application/money since everything else was already taken care of on the Korean end. So, in the interest of conflicting information I'll check today or tomorrow and update. |
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Hokie21
Joined: 01 Mar 2011
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| Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 12:32 pm Post subject: |
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| Marquis wrote: |
I know I've seen a similar list posted, but I've been meaning to call the D.C. consulate anyway to make sure I'm able to simply show up so I'll ask them about their requirements as well. Most of those documents are ones I've sent to Korea already and if I happen to need another copy I'll need to get on that. Thankfully, the transcript is all I'd need but still, I should find that out.
I was told sometime ago that all I would need was my passport/visa application/money since everything else was already taken care of on the Korean end. So, in the interest of conflicting information I'll check today or tomorrow and update. |
Same. Though I ordered a set of transcripts in the mail yesterday just to be safe.
Oh and OP. I got a message from my school today. They have received my documents and they have been sent to immi for processing. So it took 8 days, I'd imagine yours have probably arrived by now. |
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