Korean Job Discussion Forums

foystein · Joined: 02 Jun 2006

Co-Worker went to the states and returned. She had also renewed her ARC, but upon return they made her enter on a tourist visa. Now she has to go to Japan.
If I want to travel what should I do before I go.
Thanks,
Foystein

seoulsucker · Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:57 pm Post subject:

Make sure you have a MULTIPLE ENTRY visa, check your E-2.

If you're American, it automatically defaults to multiple entry, so you don't have to worry about it.

kprrok · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Location: KC

My guess is that your cow-orker didn't get a re-entry stamp before she left. That is all I can figure. When you renew your ARC, you have to buy a multiple or single-reentry stamp before you leave the country. Without that in your passport, I would think you'd be entering as a tourist. But I've never seen or heard of that happening before, so I'm not positive.

KPRROK

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

Kimchieluver · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

I may be mistaken because I am Canadian, but from what I have gathered is the automatic/free Multiple Re-entry for Americans expires after one year.

HamuHamu · Joined: 01 May 2003 Location: Seoul

Yes, I think the above is correct - I travelled to Thailand with an American friend who thought she had a multiple, but because her initial one year had been extended when she renewed her contract, the extention on the visa was only a single, and as a result she needed the re-entry permit.

It is strange that the person mentioned in the OP had that happen - in my experience, if you have a RT ticket, then at the check-in desk, they will not let you check-in until you have your re-entry. If that fails, and you get through check-in, then at the immigration desk, they usually say "Are you coming back?" so that you don't end up in that situtation. Looks like both of those checks failed to happen and resulted in a crappy situation for someone.