Korean Job Discussion Forums

Yuma · Joined: 29 Sep 2006

Hi, I have a few questions about my visa situation, I've found some stuff in previous posts but it seems a bit contraditory, mabye someone can give me some ideas. I came to Korea a couple months ago, on a one-month entry stamp (I'm from the US). I haven't gotten a job yet, so after a month I went to Japan to come back with another one-month entry stamp. Now my second month will be running out soon, I'd like to stay one more month (for a total of 3) before I finally get a job and start teaching.

I went to Japan after a month, instead of applying for a longer tourist visa in Seoul, because I'd read things on ESL cafe that made me think it isn't possible. Is that true, or can I just go up to Seoul to the immigration office and get a longer visa? Do you know, would that visa's time start counting from now, or from when I first came to the country?

Also, I've read on this site that you need an ARC card after 3 months in the country, but some of what I've read is contradictory (http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=16082 ) Does that 3 month rule apply if it's on a tourist visa? Is it 3 months uninterrupted, or 3 months total? Is there a maximum amount of time you can be in the country on a tourist visa (or entry stamp)?

I'd appreciate any ideas you have, thanks a lot,

dsilla · Joined: 26 Aug 2006 Location: USA

I can't answer all of your questions, but I can shed a little light on the last one. When I received my E-2 in Atlanta this week, they stapled a little notice inside on the page opposite the visa. It says:

"Within 90 days from the date of arrival in Korea, you are required to apply for the Alien Registration Card at the local immigration office."

It then lists all the offices and their phone numbers. Obviously, this applies to the E-2. It may not apply to other visa types. But if you're American, you should be able to obtain a 90-day tourist visa. Can anyone correct me on this?

ChuckECheese · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

You can extent your tourist 30 day non-visa state to 90 day visa just by going to the immigration office and applying for it with some visa fee. I am almost certain that your new 90 day visa will start from the date the new 90 day visa is issued.

You need to apply and get an ARC if you're staying over 90 CONSECUTIVE and uninterrupted days in Korea.

wheek · Joined: 08 May 2006

I'm going to be heading to Japan to do a visa run next week. My boyfriend is a little over a month into his 90-day tourist visa. If he joins me on my little Japan jaunt, will he be granted a new 90-day visa? Or will he be given a new visa amounting to the days left from his original visa?

I had also heard from a less-than-credible source that they may not let him back in the country at all; that another tourist visa can't be gotten so quickly. Any truth to this at all?

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

princess · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: soul of Asia

Wow!!!!! You came over here to look for a job, it's been 2 months and you STILL haven't found one? I was thinking of coming on over to look for a job, too, but this sounds VERY unusual. Is the job market that bad, even in light of this North Korea mess???

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Yuma · Joined: 29 Sep 2006

Your question about it taking so long to get a job, actually I wasn't looking for one, I've been hanging out and studying korean first. But I just now went looking for a job again and got so so so many offers. Mostly mediocre but some ok, I found one I think I'll take after 3 days. Coming over and applying here seems to me like a good idea (there's other posts about all that).