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feckingreal
Joined: 09 Mar 2009
Location: Craggy
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 Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 9:08 pm Post subject: no visa run needed for tourist -> E-1? |
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I need an E-1 visa with my new job, starting in March. I'm here on a tourist visa right now, so I booked flights to Japan next month to process the paperwork there. Yesterday, I went to the school and they told me that I don't need to do a visa run and that they will sort out everything. I was told that in a couple of weeks they will be issued with a visa number, which they will pass on to me, and all I have to do is go to the local immi office and pick up my ARC. This sounds great, but I'm weary about cancelling my tickets to Japan. I have done a bit of research and am finding it hard to get a concrete answer.
Has anyone had a similar experience? Can this visa transfer be completed without me visiting a consulate abroad? Thanks in advance! |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 4:32 am Post subject: |
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E1 - a uni lecturer position?
It is highly unusual to change from a tourist (no visa entry) to an actual visa without doing a visa run to a neighboring country (usually Japan).
I suspect the person at the school is actually unsure of the process.
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feckingreal
Joined: 09 Mar 2009
Location: Craggy
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| Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 5:00 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the insight ttompatz. Yeah, it's a uni job... my fourth visa here, but my first E-1. The administrator seems really sure that they can sort it all out without me leaving. She even gave me back all the original documents and only took a copy of my CRC when I pushed the idea.
In my experience, I think you are right, I've never heard of anyone or any school being able to do something like this. I just didn't want to seem like I was second guessing them by laboring the point, so I took them at their word.
I guess I'll hold onto the flight tickets for a while longer... |
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Skippy
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Daejeon
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| Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 7:58 am Post subject: |
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From the Korean Immigration Documents on B-1 Visa Exemption
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Change of Status & Extension of Stay
In principle, B-1/B-2 holders who entered the Republic of Korea are
prohibited from applying for extension or change of status. So if you
want to stay more than the period of sojourn specified in the
agreement or set by the Minister of Justice, you are required to
apply for a visa before coming to Korea.
Required Documents
an application form (Form No. 34), passport, fee (30,000 KRW)
documents proving that you cannot leave Korea due to unavoidable |
B2- Tourist/Transit Visa is the exact same quote.
Unless there is some pressing need then you can not likely transfer. |
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Axiom
Joined: 18 Jan 2008
Location: Brisbane, Australia
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| Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 2:01 pm Post subject: |
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The uni will switch you from a tourist visa to a D-10 visa and then to the E-1 visa.
No visa run required.
Even those teachers switching from an E-2 to an E-1 go through this process. |
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feckingreal
Joined: 09 Mar 2009
Location: Craggy
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| Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 9:39 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the info folks. It mirrors some of the research that I've done, and also my own experiences. There is no black and white when it comes to Korean immigration. It's all a bit grey...
Either way, it'll have to be sorted out by March 1st, so I'll update the thread with the outcome. |
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Skippy
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Daejeon
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| Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 9:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Axiom wrote: |
The uni will switch you from a tourist visa to a D-10 visa and then to the E-1 visa.
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Like above said generally there is no changing a tourist visa to another visa in Korea. So I would say even for the tourist to D-10 to E-1/2 could no be done. True one or two have been able to transfer a tourist to D-10 but those I would say are aberrations and should not be relied up to happen. |
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Troglodyte
Joined: 06 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 6:05 am Post subject: |
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| Normally, for people hired in country who need to do a visa run, the employer pays for it. They at least pay for the flight but often pay for a hotel as well. Consider it a short vacation in Fukuoka or Osaka (or even Tokyo if you're lucky). |
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sigmundsmith
Joined: 22 Nov 2007
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| Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 4:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Troglodyte wrote: |
| Normally, for people hired in country who need to do a visa run, the employer pays for it. They at least pay for the flight but often pay for a hotel as well. Consider it a short vacation in Fukuoka or Osaka (or even Tokyo if you're lucky). |
Yes, for hogwans or public schools but not for university positions. It is up to the individual to plan and pay out of their own pocket. |
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Troglodyte
Joined: 06 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2014 3:24 pm Post subject: |
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| sigmundsmith wrote: |
| Troglodyte wrote: |
| Normally, for people hired in country who need to do a visa run, the employer pays for it. They at least pay for the flight but often pay for a hotel as well. Consider it a short vacation in Fukuoka or Osaka (or even Tokyo if you're lucky). |
Yes, for hogwans or public schools but not for university positions. It is up to the individual to plan and pay out of their own pocket. |
Yes. I forgot about that. |
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feckingreal
Joined: 09 Mar 2009
Location: Craggy
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| Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 5:38 pm Post subject: |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
E1 - a uni lecturer position?
It is highly unusual to change from a tourist (no visa entry) to an actual visa without doing a visa run to a neighboring country (usually Japan).
I suspect the person at the school is actually unsure of the process.
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Once again, ttompatz, your crystal ball was spot on. To cut a long story short, the person at the office was confused about the difference between a tourist visa and working visa. Working visas can be transferred, tourist visas cannot.
So I'm off to Fukuoka next week. What I've learned from this, Phil Lynott said best...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaGNAL_u-SU |
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ivyleaguer
Joined: 13 Jun 2010
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| Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 9:45 am Post subject: |
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I came here on tourist visa on two separate times and had to go to Japan both times to get my E-1 to teach at uni. I paid for it myself. I speak Japanese, so it's no problem for me, but I've always wondered how non-speaking people feel about doing the run. However, it's fairly simple trip to Fukuoka and it's easy to google blogs on it so I'm sure most people can manage it.
If you don't have to go to Japan, more power to you, but I've never been so lucky. |
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