Korean Job Discussion Forums

ryleeys · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Columbia, MD

First, I need a visa. I'm not going until November, so I have plenty fo time. Is it best to just go to the embassy in Seoul and say, "hey, can I have a visa please?" If so, where is said embassy located?

Second, do you recommend travelling by airplane, boat, or nuclear powered submarine? I need to eventually end up in Beijing.

Third, I do not own a credit card... how is the best way to go about purchasing a ticket on an airplane, boat, or submarine?

Disclaimer: Yes, I realize that I could probably find this information online and I will undoubtedly look. But, I have chosen to ask here first in the hopes that someone who has already done this can give me a more detailed explanation. So before Gord and the others jump on me for not "googling" first... well... bite me.

Disclaimer to the disclaimer: I don't have hard feelings about anyone telling me to "google" things, but it does get annoying after awhile... after all, isn't posting on here a form of doing internet research if you can in fact find the answers you desire on this forum?

peppermint · Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 3:25 am Post subject:

Alright the Chinese embassy is in the Kyobo building- just at Gwanghwamun subway station. It takes around a week to get the visa and is sort of expensive for Americans. I think they give you three months to travel to China after you get the visa- so you don't have to rush or anything.

A flight straight into Beijing would be easiest, and you can pay for it by cash, or a bank transfer. Get your travel agent's banking info, and go to a bank( yours if you want it straight out of the account, but if you'l give the bank cash- any bank will do) . It sounds wierd but it's very commonplace here

ryleeys · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Columbia, MD

Umm... I don't really wanna get a travel agent... that's just somebody else gettin' a cut of my dough.

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

peppermint · Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 3:50 am Post subject:

I think I heard the actual embassy is somewhere else, but the consulate offices were in the kyobo building last October when I got my visa for China.

About the travel agent thing- you tend to get a better deal through travel agents than direct from the airline, but I know Asiana does a direct flight there. I got bumped to business class when I went- very nice. Cool

Edit- did a quick price check:
www.asiana.co.kr/english Incheon- Beijing 602,000 with the online discount

www.xanadu.co.kr Incheon - Beijing 480,000 ( still on Asiana)

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

ryleeys · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Columbia, MD

I'm also not sure what complications I will have... I mean, I'd rather not go through a travel agent since I don't trust any here in Icheon and it would just mean extra trips to Seoul to find an English one. Plus, I will be staying with a friend in Beijing and so I won't have a set itinerary (like a tour) once I get there...

Godzilla · Joined: 06 Jun 2003

Have been over to Shanghai 3 times over the past year and have been through a travel agent twice and sorted it out myself (first time). Go through a travel agent. The Chinese Embassy is a zoo. SOoooooooo busy with people shoving, jostling, biting, scratching and kicking (and that was just the missus Very Happy

). The flights were the same as going through the airline and the agent we went through didn't charge much extra for getting the visa (30k or there abouts). Honestly, it really does save the hassle of going to the embassy twice... not a pleasant experience.

Zyzyfer · Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 4:18 am Post subject:

Consulate's on the 9th or 10th floor of the Kyobo Building. It's a pain. Costs around 60,000 won to get the visa.

If you want an alternate mode of transportation, you can take the ferry. It's not terrible as long as you can handle the smell of kimchi permeating the air, though it would be better if you travelled with others if you were taking the ferry (because you could all horde together in one room). However, once you get to Tianjin and have to get to Beijing, it starts to suck really fast. Still, the trip would be a lot cheaper...

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

If you're Canadian you can just pick up a visa when you arrive at the airport in Beijing.

Not for us Americans though. Fucking American government screwed over the Chinese on visa requirements, so the Chinese reciprocrated. We have to get our visas in advance.

Badmojo · Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 4:38 pm Post subject: