Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Smithington]

Three years ago I applied for a D-10. It took about two weeks. I'm wondering if it still takes about that much time to process. Has anyone gotten it in less time than that, or is that turn-round time still pretty standard? If we plan to travel outside Korea once we get our D-10 we obviously shouldn't book our flight departure date too early. Our flight date might turn up and our D-10 hasn't been issued yet which means we're screwed. Can't get on that plane.

Or can we. I'm heard conflicting stories about this. I've heard that no, we can't travel until we have our D-10 card to present at the airport. But I also read somewhere (on here maybe) that the opposite is true - that indeed we can travel after we've applied for the D-10. No need to hang around waiting for the card. Just get a receipt stating that a D-10 is in the works and show that at immigration. When two weeks later we return to Korea our new status (D-10) will be up on the computer screen at the airport.

We all know how difficult it is to get a clear answer about anything immigration related in Korea (especialy from immigration itself). I'm wondering what experienbces others have had regarding this matter.

Cheers.

[Chaparrastique]

Recently got one.

Took exactly three weeks from application to pick up.

[nicwr2002]

Maybe my case is unique, but when I switched to a D-10 they just wrote on the back of my ARC that it was switched to a D-10. No waiting for a new card.

[Chaparrastique]

[ironjohn]

Some of these answers are a bit misleading. The switch from E-2 to D-10 is instant. (And I assume so is the switch back from D-10 to E-2).

In Seoul it seems to take about 3 weeks to get your ARC made and sent to immigration. But during that time you are on the D-10.

I know this for sure because I wanted to travel while waiting for my ARC.
Right after handing in my paperwork at immigration I followed the advice of another thread, went across the lobby and asked for a Certificate of Alien Registration (외국인등록사실증명), which showed my status as D-10.

[Weigookin74]

Any special condition to get a D10?

[Troglodyte]

[Smithington]

[ironjohn]

[Smithington]

Ironjohn, thanks for the pm and your post above. I fully believe that you were able to depart and return to Korea with only the certificate. I might try it, too. But as there is little consistency in how Korean immigration does things, and regulations can change at a drop of a hat, I'm a bit wary. I had a Korean friend call immigration on Monday to enquire about this. She was told that I had to wait ten days for the application for a D-10 to be 'cleared', then I could get some paperwork and travel with that (while waiting for the card). But not before then. (Although I'm sure that if she phoned again and spoke to a different agent she'd be told something different.)

But it doesn't really make sense to me. After applying for the D-10 surely we can just go to the airport, show the certficate you mentioned (if only to explain where our alien card was), stay out of the country for a couple of weeks, and when we return our new status (D-10) will pop up on the airport computer screen.

Korea, consistent thou are not.

[ironjohn]

Yeah, that's definitely true about the inconsistencies. When I called I got the same answer so I was fairly nervous when I left, but it worked out okay. Good luck whatever you decide to do!

[Smithington]

I've spent the last hour going through several threads on the D-10. It does seem it is possible to travel while waiting for the D-10. Because some immigration agents can be picky it is recommended, however, to have as much documentation with you as possible. It is recommended that you have the following:

1. the 'Certificate of Alien Registration" mentioned earlier

2. a photocopy of the front and back of your alien card (which you will have submitted to immigration to get the D-10)

3. receipt of D-10 application showing payment

4. a smile and a clean shirt and tie (you never know)

Anyway, it seems this is doable. In my search I have come across several posters who did this successfully, including the poster above, and none who tried but got denied. This is good news.

For further information check this thread: http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=221114&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15

[Scorpion]

What about just extending our E-2 visa for an extra month? Wouldn't that provide all the benefits of the D-10 with less paperwork and expense? Couldn't we extend our E-2 for an extra month, travel for a couple of weeks after finishing the contract, then come back and either a) transfer to a new job or b) go the D-10 visa route then (if no job on the horizon)?

Aren't our visas now good for 13 months anyway? What's to prevent us travelling for a couple of weeks after our contract ends on our current E-2 visa? If visas are now for 13 months why do we even need a visa extension if its only 'short term'?

I wish immigration would employ someone whose job description is this, and only this: to provide clear, unambiguous answers to clear, unambiguous questions about the E-2 visa.

[wanderkind]

As a Canadian, my E2 was for 18 months (if I recall correctly). But something like 30 days after my work contract was completed, my E2 would become void. So, switched to D10.

Also, FYI, the D10 can be extended (once), I was surprised to learn in a conversation with someone on the Immigration phone line. That was a 20 minute process and I had a new ARC in hand when I walked out.

That said, information about the D10 really needs to be better disseminated. EPIK, recruiters, and on one occasion an immigration official, have all suggested at one time or another that I must have fraudulently obtained the D10 visa as I did not have a Master's degree, and X number of years work experience at a Fortune 300 company, etc, etc.