Korean Job Discussion Forums

jmbran11 · Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Location: U.S.

My husband came to Seoul on a tourist visa. Shortly after arriving he lost his passport and had to have another issused by the Irish embassy.

Now we want to change his status from tourist visa to an F-3 (dependent spouse). We are going to immigration on Friday.

Two main problems: 1). no tourist visa in the back of his newly issued passport 2). he has now overstayed the original tourist visa, though we don't know exactly by how much

If anyone out there has either tried to change status without proof of date of entry, or has changed status with an overstayed tourist visa, please let me know what happened.

Are we likely to be fined heavily or is there any possibility at all that he will be detained/deported? Also, if you are fined by immigration, do we need to have the cash on hand? Probably, we will go alone, but maybe I could convince someone Korean from work to come if it is REALLY necessary.

Any actual information or advice would be appreciated. I'm also asking a friend to call Korean immigration, but I never feel very confident in the reply. Thanks!

lastat06513 · Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 8:35 pm Post subject:

That problem can be easily solved by going outside the country and coming back in on a 30-day visa (if that is the limit for Irish nationals) or he can go to a Korean embassy in a neighboring country like Japan or China and get a temperary C-3 visa (it is good for a 90-day stay for Americans and it is good for up to 5 years again I'm not sure about Irish nationals)
Thats is all dependant on if you have enough funds to cover the travel.
Good luck!

mole · Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Location: Act III

I can't remember the Department or Office name, but there's a Korean government office 2~3 blocks from the US embassy
that will issue a complete history of your entries/exits from the country. When I've overstayed, Immigration always seems to be having an amnesty period.
Only at the airport have they pulled me aside and scolded me like a middle school student. I just act like one..lower my head and say, "Yes, ma'am, I'm sorry."
Never paid a fine.

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul