Korean Job Discussion Forums

[inkoreaforgood]

My wife called Inchon immigration today, to ask specific questions about the F-2 visa, what docs we need, etc.. She got a bit of a runaround, then finally got the right person. He proceeded to tell her that they don't give out many F-2 visas, and that we must come in and talk to them. No other info was given, just come in and talk to them person to person.
My wife and I find this bit about coming in to the office odd, since she was on the phone with them right then and there . What are your experiences with Inchon immigration and your F2 visa? Where can we find a "sponser form"? We'd really like to hear from someone who's dealt with Inchon recently on this matter.

Thanks in advance.

[mack the knife]

There are a gajillion great threads dealing with this topic already (including recent stuff). Look in the FAQ section, for starters.

[davyteacher]

I dealt with Busan Immigration on mine, as long as you have the right documents you should be OK. As mentioned above, there are some good threads out there with some good insight of the F-2 visa.

Also, they don`t give many out, so if you marry a Korean they can still reject you, that`s strange. They`re probably like every Immigration Office, a bunch of clowns

[riverboy]

I have been dealing with them since July. Yes they can give you the runaround, but a F-2 is given depeding on whether or not you and your wife are financially independant. If your wife has a job and a home to provide then you will be able to get one. After that she becomes your sponsor.
Before you do anything though, make sure your marriage has been registered with your local GU office if you were married outside of the country. Bring your marriage liscence, passport, four passport photos and it's a start.
I don't have Korean Text on my computer, or my wife would be able to tell you.

[fidel]

[riverboy]

Very true fidel.
Did you have a job at the time? That's why. I was here on a tourist visa.
I think the important thing is having the proper documents

[inkoreaforgood]

Thanks guys. If anyone else has specific info on Inchon immigration, that would be much appreciated. My case is similar to Fidel's. Just want some assurance that Inchon immi. is reasonable (or not).

[chiaa]

My wife called and found (might have actually just searched the net) out what papers were needed and we went to Seoul immigration. We were in and out (at the desk not in que) in about five minutes. No problems at all. They checked over the papers, told me that I cannot work at a bar or night club and sent us on our way. They want to make it sound difficult, but it really isn't.

[inkoreaforgood]

Cool, thanks. I hate dealing with immigration, as they always say something different every time. I think I got it sorted now.

[candu]

Just renewed my F2-1 at Incheon a couple of weeks ago. (I went with my wife, something I strongly advise.) My previous F2-1s were done at Mok-dong, so they wanted to see a few documents again - including notarized copies of my degrees, which they kept - even though they should have access to all my information from Mok-dong. (They punched my name and number into the computer and could see that my wife had previously promised to guarantee me for 5 years in 2003, even though as we all know they won't give a 5-year visa to a cracker like me, so at least some of the process is centralized.)

Anyway, it can change from year to year as to what they want to see, so don't be surprised if they ask for something (s) different from the year before, something (s) they didn't tell you about over the phone, something (s) different from what they asked me for two weeks ago, etc.

Unlike Mok-dong, I had to go back again a few days later to pick it up, which was kind of inconvenient. And also unlike Mok-dong, the office hasn't been renovated in years, the atmosphere is pretty grim, and the workers are generally quite unfriendly. (Kind of like Mok-dong was in '96 or '97.) I'd rather go to Mok-dong twice a year than Incheon once every year or two.

Anyway, on the plus side I got a 2-year visa, which may or may not be automatic the third time around for an F2-1.