Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Matt_22]

will there be a problem if i fly into korea on a one-way ticket? i'm not sure, but i can get a 30-day visa on arrival (i'm from the US, btw), correct? i'm leaving on the 9th of january, so it's too late now for me to hunt down a 90-day visa beforehand. will immigration officials be extra suspicious, as i'm bringing quite a bit of luggage with me as well? should i just come up with some excuse beforehand in case they really try to grill me? any suggestions would be great.

[spliff]

If you're from the USofA, no problem.

[crazy_arcade]

one way ticket coming into the country on a tourist visa could cause some problem...but most of the time will be fine. It's actually not supposed to be fine but most immigration officials couldn't be bothered. Overzealous airline workers however....

one way ticket coming into the country on a work visa is fine. I have known several people with work visas that have been told by airline employees in Vancouver and San Fransisco that they cannot board the plane because they only have a one way ticket. Of course, these people don't have their facts straight at all. They're almost as bad as the post office workers that vehemently try to convince you that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is South Korea!

[spliff]

Just tell them you are gonna get the boat to Japan

[nobbyken]

I flew in from the UK in September with my Korean fiance, she had a return ticket and I had a single.

We separated into the different queue's at immigration and I had her mobile number ready to give the staff. They never batted an eyelid or looked curious or anything.
Cool, I think they are at least supposed to ask something?

[spliff]

You should make every attempt to dress nicely when traveling between countries...only the idiots that look like hippie backpackers ever get hassled.

[kangnam mafioso]

it shouldn't be a problem with immigration but i have heard several people being refused boarding (by the airline itself) because of one way tickets. if you have a work visa it shouldn't be a problem either way, but i wouldn't risk it otherwise because it could be so expensive if you are refused boarding and have a non-refund ticket. get a visa before you come or some proof of onward travel (to japan or something)

[ella]

I didn't have any problem coming in on a one-way ticket from the U.S. last week. They didn't ask me anything or even look at me, they just stamped my passport and I was on my way.

I wear very nice business attire and carry a briefcase when I travel. Honestly, you can avoid a ton of hassles that way and are typically treated well in general. Always dress the part.

[lastat06513]

Why would it be a bother to get a C3 visa, it only takes one (1) business day to get and if you go early enough in the morning and explain to them that you have a good excuse (oops! I mean reason..) you might get it in the afternoon.
At least was my situation at the Korean embassy on Lexington Avenue in NYC once.

As for getting in, it isn't immigrations that throws up red-flags, it is the particular airlines.

But if you are an American, no probs getting on the plane...

And if you are asked why you are visiting, just tell them you own a trading company and you are checking up on the manufacturer in Korea....or tell them you are meeting your prospective family members for the first time.....either way, they would just knod their head and smile while saying; "Enjoy your stay in Korea...."


Have a nice day

[Matt_22]

I would like to get a visa beforehand, but I'm situated in Phuket, and I'm pretty sure I'd have to go to Bangkok for that. Anyway, I'll definitely dress nicely and I bet I won't have any problems. But I'll definitely have to come up with a good excuse as I'll be taking two large checked bags as well as my big laptop carry-on case. Perhaps I should just tell em I'm making a pit-stop to visit a friend on my way to Japan.

[Matt_22]

Man, it has really been raining $hit on me lately.

I tried to book my one-way flight online last night, but it said it only issued paper tickets. I figured I'd just get it at a travel agency since I don't really trust the postage system here in Thailand and I'm leaving within a few days anyway.

Well just a few minutes ago I went to the travel agency, and the lady says she needs either a visa or proof that I am leaving the country (a return flight or a flight/ferry ticket out of South Korea). Dammit this sucks. I've already faced the fact that I'm paying for my flight to Korea - now I have to pay for another flight on top of that?

If anyone has any suggestions I could really use one.

[Matt_22]

Should I just purchase a one-way ticket to Fukouka for early February or something - one that can be transferred to summer when I have a vacation and can actually use it? I could just use it then and take a ferry back, right?

[OiGirl]

Yes, go ahead and buy a cheap ticket to Japan (or a fully-refundable one.) I have entered on an Internet print-out of a ticket I reserved but never actually paid for, although this is perhaps not recommended.

[lastat06513]

ok, if you intend on going to Korea to look for work and to land a job that wil get you an E2 visa, then going on an entry stamp might do fine, but if you are looking for a reliable job and have some cash to spend on your stay in Korea (it is not cheap, especially in Seoul), then you might as well pay the $45 it costs to get a C3.

Pros-

- Good for 90-days stays for up to 5 years.
- Valid when buying a one-way ticket to Korea
- No one asks you many questions when you have it

Cons-

- Can't teach on it like people do in Japan
- If caught, there would be hell to pay (imprisonment and fined)

But if you have connections and know your way around the country and you don't want to be "tied down" to a bad school/ crappy boss, then having an C3 is the way to go...

[Matt_22]

I would get a C3 if I could, but I'm in Phuket, not Bangkok (where the consulte/embassy is), and I have to be out of Thailand by the 9th. I just don't have the time to arrange it.