Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Peter Jackson]

I'm furious. I wonder if anyone can help me; I am getting NOTHING from immigration.

My Thai friend is having a very difficult time coming to visit me. This friend made a second attempt today but could not board the plane. Thais OFFICIALLY don't need visas, and can stay up to 3 months. My friend had a 2 week return ticket, well over 1, 000 000 won for the stay and a boarding pass in hand. My friend was held by THAI immigration who asked silly questions about why he was coming to Korea, if he was planning on working, etc. He was denied.

Has anyone else had such a hard time getting a Thai national to Korea? My friend probably got nervous as it was his first trip here. I see so many foreigners working in factories. How did they get here? My friend (who has a good job) can't even tour...

Any thoughts?

Thanks for any info,

[itaewonguy]

yeah thais have a real time coming here..
to many of them in the past come here for work and dont leave!
girls have the hardest time,
my american friend who married a thai had a HELL of a time trying to get her in the country, she was refused at incheon once and sent back home!

your friend needs to get approval from the korean embassy I guess..

I dont really know.. just I have heard many cases like this over the years

[Peter Jackson]

Yeah, I have heard of it happening a lot at Incheon. It's seems funny, though, how the Thai people wouldn't let him board. But I guess they have a Korean advisor there or something.

Of course the response I got a while back on the Q&A forum for the Ministry of Justice was "no problem, Thai can come". I should have known Korean immigration guys often say one thing and do another...

Thanks for your response.

Cheers,

[Yu_Bum_suk]

My friend's trying to get his LBFM from Laos over and has run into the same obstacle. He's researched it thoroughly and basically he has to find a Korean citizen to sponsor her and put up a W50,000,000 bond before she can get a 3-month tourist visa.

He's looking for TEFL jobs in Laos now.

[Peter Jackson]

I wonder if they treat Thais the same way. They told me Thais don't need visas for 3 month stays. I am starting to think it is hopeless...

Thanks Yu Bum suk....

I have a student: Yu Suk Me...do you know her?

[Jeju Rocks]

Thais can come to Korea on a 15 day tourist visa. If someone will vouch for them, they can get a 3 month visa.
Tell immigration who they will be staying with, where they live and a phone number.

[Wangja]

A Belgian chum of mine used to tarvel to Bangkok every 90 days to bring back a take-away, and then take her back and trade her in at the end of the visa.

This is not a wind-up.

[JongnoGuru]

[Patong Dong]

Jeju rocks:

Thais can come to Korea on a 15 day tourist visa. If someone will vouch for them, they can get a 3 month visa.
Tell immigration who they will be staying with, where they live and a phone number.

Here's my Experiences;
Thais get a 3 month tourist visa upon entry. My Thai girlfriend has come to Korea 5 times since around late 2002. She has never been asked anything leaving Bangkok. The last time she arrived here, before this past Christmas, immigration did pull her aside and called me. I was in the airport and after a lengthy talk with the lady form immi. they told me to keep waiting and hung up. my girlfriend came out about 20 minutes later, and about an hour late overall. She had a ticket that was for 3 months because I got it on points so you can't change the dates. I will be going downto Phuket later this week and will be bringing her back with me. Her ticket is only for 2.5 weeks this time I believe. I always get a letter from employer to give her; vouching for my status and the fact they know she will be visiting with me. I never expect it to be easy but she has only been flagged for a further interview twice, never refused. I can't guarantee it'll happen this time but I'll knock on wood.

Jeju rocks advice makes sense but three time sthey didn't look at anything but her ticket and she still recieved 3 months.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[Patong Dong]

Just to post the latest info re: Thais coming to Korea I picked my girlfriend up at Incheon last night. They didn't check any of the papers my school provided and she received the 3 month tourist visa.

[rapier]

[Bibbitybop]

Since people are finding and bumping Neil's threads............

.........now you friend doesn't have to travel so far to see you. Bonus point: Check out what he said to Yu Bum Suk. Double bonus: Look what Yu Bum Suk said back. (sorry Yu Bum Suk, you didn't know)..........

[Optimus Prime]