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G_Pee11
Joined: 17 Apr 2006
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 Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 12:31 pm Post subject: Anybody have any problems getting through customs?? |
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Hey everyone....
I am a Canadian-born Korean, and I have just signed and sent-off a contract to work in Korea. Everything was done kind of last minute, so I couldn't get the school all the necessary paperwork to process an E2 visa prior to my departure; therefore, it was suggested by the school that I apply for an F4 visa when I arrive in Korea, or that they will send me to Japan for a day and process the E2 visa from Korea.
I know as a Canadian I am eligible to stay in Korea for a maximum of 6 months without any sort of visa; however, I only have a one-way air-ticket and no visa, so I can't prove that I will be leaving the country before the allowed 6-months or that I will be working in Korea. As a result, my question is this...... Does anyone know if I will have difficulty getting through customs at the airport? I do have family there, and I can say I'm visiting them, but without a round-trip ticket I'm thinking that they may not believe that.
Anybody encounter any sort of problems at the airport? Any advice as to what I should tell them? |
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heydelores
Joined: 24 Apr 2006
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| Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 1:16 pm Post subject: |
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| I had no problems entering Korea with a one-way ticket, not even any questions. I did have an E2 visa, however. I'm not sure if that made the difference. |
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Grotto
Joined: 21 Mar 2004
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| Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 1:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| I know as a Canadian I am eligible to stay in Korea for a maximum of 6 months without any sort of visa; however, I only have a one-way air-ticket and no visa, so I can't prove that I will be leaving the country before the allowed 6-months or that I will be working in Korea. As a result, my question is this...... Does anyone know if I will have difficulty getting through customs at the airport? I do have family there, and I can say I'm visiting them, but without a round-trip ticket I'm thinking that they may not believe that. |
Not exactly accurate!
You need to apply for the 6 month tourist visa...otherwise they issue you the standard 3 month one!
As for entering without a visa....dont sweat it....as long as you have a contact number for your school you shouldnt have any problems.
Remember though that you can get fined and/or deported for working without that stamp in your passport! Err on the side of caution and dont work until you have done your visa run! |
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schwa
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Yap
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| Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 2:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Grotto wrote: |
You need to apply for the 6 month tourist visa...otherwise they issue you the standard 3 month one! |
No. Unless something changed recently, Canucks get stamped with a standard 6 months on entry.
But thats not your important question. If youre going to have trouble with the one-way ticket, it wont be at Korean immigration -- it will be with your carrier at check-in before you get on the plane. Air Canada especially seems notorious for this. Best have a credit card on hand so you can buy a refundable return ticket at the airport if needs be. |
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G_Pee11
Joined: 17 Apr 2006
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| Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 2:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks for all the help......yeah I think it might be best to buy a refundable return ticket. People at the consulate here said that I probably won't be able to get on the plane without a visa or a return ticket. |
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Wangja
Joined: 17 May 2004
Location: Seoul, Yongsan
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| Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 3:00 pm Post subject: |
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And you are confused between "customs" and "immigration".
As somone said, a one-way is more likely to give check-in problems than immigration.
As to customs, they have sharpened up recently on foodstuffs, especially fruit. It's not a big problem, but it adds a few minutes to the exit. |
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G_Pee11
Joined: 17 Apr 2006
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| Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 10:14 pm Post subject: |
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| Wangja wrote: |
And you are confused between "customs" and "immigration".
As somone said, a one-way is more likely to give check-in problems than immigration.
As to customs, they have sharpened up recently on foodstuffs, especially fruit. It's not a big problem, but it adds a few minutes to the exit. |
Thank you for wasting your time to correct me on that....much appreciated. I'll also make sure not to bring too much "foodstuffs"?? |
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ajgeddes
Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Location: Yongsan
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| Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 10:50 pm Post subject: |
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| I came into Korea without a work VISA or a ticket out of the country. No questions asked and they stamped me for 6 months. I would say, don't worry. |
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Wangja
Joined: 17 May 2004
Location: Seoul, Yongsan
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| Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 11:06 pm Post subject: |
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| G_Pee11 wrote: |
| Wangja wrote: |
And you are confused between "customs" and "immigration".
As somone said, a one-way is more likely to give check-in problems than immigration.
As to customs, they have sharpened up recently on foodstuffs, especially fruit. It's not a big problem, but it adds a few minutes to the exit. |
Thank you for wasting your time to correct me on that....much appreciated. I'll also make sure not to bring too much "foodstuffs"?? |
You are very welcome: it's a common enough error for some ......  |
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ilovebdt
Joined: 03 Jun 2005
Location: Nr Seoul
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| Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 11:41 pm Post subject: |
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It will depend on your carrier.
I flew Korean Air, one way from London.
I already had my visa, but if I hadn't of had they wouldn't have let me on the plane or I would have had to buy a refundable return.
I'd err on the side of caution and buy a refundable return ticket.
ilovebdt |
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red dog
Joined: 31 Oct 2004
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| Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 11:54 pm Post subject: |
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| ajgeddes wrote: |
| I came into Korea without a work VISA or a ticket out of the country. No questions asked and they stamped me for 6 months. |
Me too, on several occasions. But you never know -- maybe they're getting stricter about these things nowadays. |
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Aussiekimchi
Joined: 21 Apr 2006
Location: SYDNEY
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| Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 12:29 am Post subject: |
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Doesn't it all depend on the mood of the official at the time?
Sometimes I get hassled, other times I go through without a word.
Immigration workplaces in Korea are just like the roads: Because no one knows the rules they make up their own based on their current mood. |
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skconqueror
Joined: 31 Jul 2005
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| Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 12:56 am Post subject: |
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| When I flew to Korea last summer, Air Canada (in Toronto) would not let me on the plan without first purchasing a return ticket. They told me the reason was that if Korea refused me entry they would be responsible to fly me back. |
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mindmetoo
Joined: 02 Feb 2004
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| Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 1:17 am Post subject: |
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| skconqueror wrote: |
| When I flew to Korea last summer, Air Canada (in Toronto) would not let me on the plan without first purchasing a return ticket. They told me the reason was that if Korea refused me entry they would be responsible to fly me back. |
That's a more major problem. If you have the E2 visa then the person should understand why you're traveling on a one way ticket. I think airlines can lose their lucrative landing rights if they send too many easy to catch illegals so they're sometimes quite militant about it. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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