Korean Job Discussion Forums

[tob55]

I just went through the F5 shuffle to change my status from F2. It wasn't nearly as hard as I first thought. My wife was with me and it was pretty straight forward. The immigration officials will check my employment, verify with Korean law enforcement that I have broken no laws during my 4 year stay in Korea, verify my financial guarantee which is validated through my employment contract, and check to see that I have been married for the past 2 1/2 years. About a three month process, but it should go through with little difficulty. The F5 is the equivalent of the US green card, and although it gives me only a few more rights as a permanent resident it will work wonders in freeing me up for other employment opportunities that would not be possible any other way. Those of you thinking about do this should go ahead and do it. It really is an easy process to go through.

[SuperHero]

three months?

Mine took 7 days.

[cbclark4]

What is the difference in Employment Status from F2 to F5?

[tob55]

From what I understand the regulations are standard, but the time requirements are determined by the individual immigration office. I heard of a few other people who took ridiculously shorts periods of time, but they informed me that it would take up to three months. However, better late than never.

Now, the basic difference regarding the F2-1 and the F5 is that you have unlimited economic freedom, i.e. not only can you have any employment, but you can also own your own business without having to go through the hassles many foreigners face as business investors who get F5 status. There is apparently a difference because the manual from immigration suggests there are difference categories of F5 to clarify if you are a resident by virtue of marriage or an F5 by virtue of business association to Korea. That is what I make of it, but if someone has more definitive information, go for it.

[kingpin]

[cbclark4]

[bluelake]

It took one month before I received my card.

On the card, it says F-5-9; anyone know what the "9" indicates?

[BigBuds]

[kingpin]

[purple_buddha]

Mine took exactly three months (May-August '07) through the Incheon immigration office. The length of processing time probably varies according to which office it goes through. Also, there is likely to be more scrutiny in issuing an F-5 nowadays than in the past for a number of reasons, such as background checks and official document verifications. (They no longer just hand them out; it helps if you have (a) Korean child(ren).)

Hope you get it sooner than later, tob55.

[Mr Crowley]

If I (US citizen) get an F-5, will it complicate my wife's application for a US immigration visa?

[cmr]

Another good thing with the F-5 is that you don't need anymore to fill out the little card before entering Korea by air, and you can go in the line with the Koreans instead of the one for foreigners, which is usually slower than the Korean one.

[saw6436]

I'm in the process of switching my F-2 to F-5. So far it has taken 3 months. The local immi office (Daejeon) say that since I am not fluent in Korean that they are having a hard time granting the change. I meet all other regular requirements for an F-5. I've searched everywhere on immi's internet site but have found nothing about "language proficiency" being a requirement. I get around just fine with what Korean I do have. Has anyone else met this "language requirement" when applying for their F-5?

[Cheonmunka]

F-5 dash 9?
Is odd.

[Mi Yum mi]

If they think there is somethng dodgy they can come to your house to see if you are really married. Go to immi with your kids and you can get it done in about 2 months.