Korean Job Discussion Forums

Joseph Fitzgerald · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

I will be leaving for Korea late Tuesday, and I still don't have my visa issuance form. I called my recruiter last night, and he told me immigration approved my visa, and he would pick the blue paper up later on in the day and DHL it to me and I should get it Friday. I don't think I have enough time to mail my passport and blue paper to Houston. I guess I will just tell the school that I will take the blue paper with me to Korea, and go on a visa run after I get there. I know none of this would have happened had I mailed my documents to Korea a week earlier. Why can't immigration just email the consulate with info saying that the E2 has been approved ?

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

TECO · Joined: 20 Jan 2003

Man, you are in for an education on Asian beauracracy!

turtlepi1 · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

I get the point the post is out of frustration. So I'll forget the "why won't the world revolve around me?" comment. Smile

But realistically why should immigration want to change the process. The current process makes sense and provides various steps of verification.

Just because some Hagwon owner can't get his poop in a group (seems to be par for the course in Korea) why should we feel like immigration needs to jump through hoops to accommodate our needs.

Either you...or your boss is going to get stuck with a bill for a visa run to Japan. IF it is your boss...YIPPEE you get a free trip to Japan. If it is you then shame on you for getting roped into their pressure tactics...

If you get it on Friday you could spend the weekend in Houston get the visa on Monday and drive back Monday night. (but I am always up for a road trip.) I realize a NORMAL person probably wants time to prepare/relax/say good-bye before leaving for a year.

If the situation really isn't your fault then make your recruiter aware of the situation when he/she still has options and let them know you won't be out of pocket for their mistake.

Remember...you are the "whitey" (making an assumption here) with a North American "accent". They might not treat you well once they get you...but they do indeed want you... Smile

Seoul Skye · Joined: 28 Feb 2003

Although timing is tight, if the KR consulate in Houston says they can process it same day, you might want to consider sending your

passport/Certificate of Confirmation of Visa Issuance (aka Blue Paper)/2 passport photos/the fee listed on the consulate web site in the form of a money order/completed downloadable consular application

to the Houston consulate via FedEx for Monday morning delivery. Include a FedEx airway bill inside the envelop addressed to the FedEx location nearest your departure airport and mark it "hold for pick up." If the KR consulate agrees to have FedEx pick it up on Monday afternoon, you're passport with the requisite visa stamp will be ready for pick up at your departure airport by 09:00 Tuesday morning.

Hint: Get the name of the consulate staffer you talk to after confirming the above and then call Fedex and schedule the pick up for the consulate. Be sure to give FedEx the staffers name and direct telephone number.

Finally, save all receipts and submit them to your hagwon owner for reimbursement. If he/she refuses to pay, remind them how much more expensive it would have been had you been forced to do a visa run to Japan.

Good luck!

Joseph Fitzgerald · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

My blue paper and degree are being sent back to me from Korea by DHL right now. They were shipped out of Korea at 9:30 P.M. Korean time. Hopefully I will get them today. If I don't get them today (Thursday) I don't think I will have enough time to get my visa here in the states. No, I am not making a road trip my last few days here. I want to spend time with my wife and family. My wife is coming in September.

turtlepi1 · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

hehe...wanna hear something funny?

I still stand by my original response but I think you will get a kick out of what happened literally one hour after I posted it.

My girlfriend walked in my place (we are both going to Korea) and her blue form is still not here. We are leaving next Friday and it looks like it is going to be tight to get the visa in time. (Closest consulate is 15 hours by car.)

And do you think I am going to say to her what I said to you?
HAHA you HAVE to be KIDDING... Smile

I have to live in a tiny apartment with her for the next year.

I'm going to be supportive, do my best to help and only role my eyes when she isn't looking. Smile

Dalton · Joined: 26 Mar 2003

It's all part of the adventure.
That's what I told my wife.
I think she's forgiven me. It's been almost five years and we're still here.

Joseph Fitzgerald · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

The DHL guy just brought me my blue paper, and my ORIGINAL degree back . He waited until I brought him my passport, $45 money order,and 2 photos, and the blue paper. He packed all of my stuff into a new DHL envelope and stuffed a return envelope in with it. I wrote him a check for postage both ways. He told me my documents would be at the Houston Consulate by noon tomorrow.

Seoul Skye · Joined: 28 Feb 2003

If you didn't include the visa application (different from blue paper) in the envelop, go to the following link, http://www.koreahouston.org/e/ dowload it and then fax it to the Houston consulate.

Joseph Fitzgerald · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

I sent the visa application, just forgot to list it in my post above. Thanks anyway, Seoul Skye!!!!! Laughing

merrilee · Joined: 13 May 2003 Location: South Korea

Um... Good luck! I have never had Houston be even slightly cooperative when performing a rush job on visa processing. Have you called them? I've been told by them on numerous occasions that under no circumstances will they process in less than 3 days.

Joseph Fitzgerald · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

I just got my passport back with my visa in it, and a day to spare. I called the consulate in Houston Friday, and he looked through my paperwork and told me everything was good. He said he would mail it back Friday evening> I had DSL tracking, and Saturday morning it was in Hattiesburg (about 60 miles from here) at the DHL office. So they brought it Monday morning.

Seoul Skye · Joined: 28 Feb 2003

Congrats! Just a gentle reminder to apply for your alien registration card as soon as possible after arriving in Korea. Although you have 90 days to do so, it's important to have if you want medical insurance and to participate in the pension system (you do because all of your contributions are refunded to you after you leave Korea).

Please pm me if you need information on the alien registration process.