Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nrvs]

today i visited the korean embassy in bangkok in a failed effort to get a 90-day tourist visa. after a 2 week vacation in thailand, i'm off to work in korea. since i'm american, i only get 30 days. i wanted to buy extra time for my job search.

the embassy itself is kind of in the middle of nowhere. it's close to the "thailand cultural centre" stop on the new subway line, but you'll still want to take a taxi from there. it's not a walkable destination, like other embassies in bangkok.

the taxi driver i had knew exactly where i was talking about. i had someone from my guesthouse translate the address into thai script, but the magic words were "embassy gao-lee" with the "lee" part in a rising tone.

they have a little parking lot area off the road where the taxi let us off. the koreans' first line of defense is a thai security guard in a tinted-window, air-con box next to the embassy entrance. "HELLO YOU HAVE DOCUMENT" was his greeting as i stepped up to the tiny window.

he didn't speak korean (my girlfriend is korean) and his english was...well, appropriate for a thai security guard. confused about my request for a 90-day tourist visa, he tried to tell me i was entitled to 90 days on arrival as an american.

i knew that my visit was doomed at this moment. not because he was incorrect, but because it even said on his tattered reference sheet that americans get 30 days on arrival. i politely pointed this out, and he grunted and shut the window. a minute later, he passed the phone out and handed it to my girlfriend.

my girlfriend thought she was about to talk to a korean, but the woman on the other end was thai. she couldn't speak korean very well. she preferred english, which was marginally better than the security guard's at least.

i got on the phone and learned that i'd need to come back with a "letter of explanation" for my request. apparently, 90-day tourist visas are not available at this particular embassy to nationalities that are able to receive a visa upon arrival. my application would be treated as a "special case," so i'd have to meet with a consular official in person too. but in the mean time, could i please fill out an application and leave my passport behind until an appointment on friday!

since i leave thailand late on sunday night, i decided this wasn't a great idea. also, the way she explained the process to me on the phone strongly hinted that i was wasting my time. my application would certainly be turned down anyway.

so, i figure i'll enjoy a boat trip to japan next month if i need extra time looking for a job. much more so, certainly, than getting pre-emptively dissed by the koreans before i even get to korea.

i imagine the process would be easier if one was applying for another type of visa, like the e-2. i think the "document" required for these other visas are what the security guard was referring to. just don't bother with the korean embassy in bangkok if you're an american looking for more than 30 days to find a job.

[hellofaniceguy]

Sounds like to me that you should have been more forceful instead of meek. I would have told the Thai that I am here to make an application to visit korea...you're Thai and just the guard and your English is terrible..so, step aside while I go inside and talk to a korean. Or demanded to speak to a korean person.
But that's me...I'm a bully anyway!
I have never had a problem in getting a visa for korea in Thailand over the years.
90 days is not a problem...fill out the application...pay the money, leave the passport and you're good to go.
You got a run around it seems.
Head for Japan instead. Or if you or anyone really want a hassle free experience in getting a visa..go to Guam!! Hassle free! One day service for an extra fee, English is widly spoken and no run around!

[McNasty]

You might want to check the immigration rules and regulations for Korea.
Check the American embassy in Korea for the specifics.

I'm quite certain that you will be given 90 days automatically once you enter the country. Unless there have been some recent changes that I am unaware of(could be). The last I heard was 6 months for Canadians and 3 months for Americans. Not sure about any other countries but I think many are 3 months.

[Ilsanman]

[McNasty]

My bad. It is only 30 days.

http://seoul.usembassy.gov/wwwh3530.html

Seriously though, I can't see it being a problem finding a job within a month. Get those fingers moving(internet and recruiters) as well as your feet(go door to door) and you will have more than enough offers to weed through.

If push comes to shove hop on a boat to Japan, get your passport stamped, and head back for another 30 days with minimal fiscal damage.

Best of luck.

[nrvs]

according to my girlfriend (who is a permanent resident of the united states) koreans have to, like, promise their firstborn to even be considered for a tourist visa to america. so i'm not all that surprised at the treatment i got.

i *did* expect the process to be similar to the visas i've got for other countries on my travels (i.e. you pay your money, wait one day, receive tourist visa). it sucks that it didn't work out, but i'm confident i'll find a decent hogwon job in 30 days.

and to address hellofaniceguy:

[Big_Bird]

About 2 months ago I spent about 2 weeks going in and out of the Korean Embassy in Bangkok. In fact, the Thai security guard was very sweet - and I was impressed by his English considering that he was "just" a security guard. Imagine how many Korean security guards speak English that well - not many in my experience.

My husband and I were in a precarious situation where he could only return to Korea if he could get an F3 visa. If he couldn't get back - my husband would have been seperated from me indefinately - until we could figure out another country where we could both have residency and make an honest living. Not easy - because my husband is not a westerner.

The embassy was under no obligation to grant an F3. However, everyone was very kind, the consul, the staff and the security guard - and eventually we got it sorted out. I was very happy with the kind and friendly treatment we got there - nothing like the rude and racist treatment we get at Seoul Immigration at Mokdong.

Getting "tough" with embassy staff is not a good idea. Being firm whilst remaining patient and polite is the best course of action.

[OiGirl]

Americans get 30 days only without a C-3.

I would waved around my completed C-3 application form as a "document". And yelled a lot in Korean.

[Pyongshin Sangja]

Can't you enter on a 30 day and then upgrade to a 90 day?

[funplanet]

Americans can generally get a 5 year, multiple entry visa that entitles you to 90 days a pop....should have been more forceful in telling them what you are there for

[canukteacher]

I'm really confused on this one. Why wouldn't you wait, and apply for a Visa extension AFTER you are in Korea.? That makes sense to me.

As far as the embasssy goes, I did my Visa run there in August and they treated me fine. I don't think screaming at them gets you too far.

JMHO

CT