Korean Job Discussion Forums

[justin moffatt]

After contacting immigration, viewing their websites and searching for threads on various internet sites (most recent 2003), I am trying to find RECENT information on processing a F2 visa. For example:

1) Does F2 status currently allow the individual to work at any institution or company of their choice without a secondary visa (e.g. E2 or E7)?

2) What documents are now needed at immigration to process this visa? (e.g. marriage certificate, financial statement, etc.)?

3) Does my partner need to have substantial assets to ensure the processing of the F2 Visa (e.g. 30 million won in the bank, house, etc.)

4) What other rights and benefits entail having this Visa status?

5) Is my partner reponsible for any debts or monies owed that I have ensued? (e.g. cell phone bill, etc.)

I look forward to you useful and helpul comments. Thanks!

[nobbyken]

I can only answer point 2 & 3, as I recently picked upmy F-2-1 visa(F2).

Your spouse will need to prove means of being able to support you.
Either 30 million won ( if it was dollars or pounds, you wouldn't be here!)
or a job, or proof of house ownership in the family.

My wife had to get her family tree showing relation to her brother, his document showing ownership of the house, and our new korean family tree and a copy of our stamped papers from the embassy. If your spouse works, then you don't need 30 mill or property ownership.

You also need some passport photo's and your passport and about 10,000 won.

1 week later, go and pick it up.

I found it very easy, and certainly a more friendly and easier than trying to get my spouse into the UK.

[SuperHero]

[nobbyken]

The F2 will be valid for 1 year.
I am not sure, but read somewhere that after 2 years you can get a 2-year one?
Also not to sure, but I thought F5 was after 3 or 5 years on an F2?

[Captain Corea]

F5 is permanent residency - no need to renew every year.

Also, in answer to question #1 - Yes, you can work for pretty much any company HOWEVER, you may have to get approval from local ministries if your work entails a specialty.

[Horangi Munshin]

Other benefits of the F5 on top of the F2 are not losing your F status if you get divorced.

When you go on a trip out of Korea on your return you can stand in the Korean only line at immigration.

You may be able to vote in city elections too.

[jaderedux]

[Demophobe]

The "gotta have 30 million" thing is a myth, or at least, seems to depend on the person doing the processing if it will be asked about or not.

When I got my F2, there was no mention of any of that. In fact, I put up a bit of a fuss about all the strange questions, and the "interview" was promptly halted.

I had been in a smaller center for a heck of a long time, and the fine folk at immigration there have seen me quite a few times. We had conversed in Korean on all occasions and they knew me to be a genial fellow.

When we went for the F2 thing, they began to hammer me with all manner of wacky questions, to which I finally asked them, "What does all of this have to do with a visa? We are married, I love my wife and am entitled to the visa under the laws of Korea."

They looked down at the papers and smiled, saying the visa will be ready in a few days. Lo and behold, the next Monday (it was a Friday), the visa was done. No questions about money or anything silly. Yes, under the same laws that I was standing behind, they could have asked for many more documents (if the 30 million thing is really true) and made the process much more painful. It seems that being blunt with them made them think that I would have all the bases covered if pressed, so they decided it wasn't worth pursuing.

The immigration folks seem tragically human during the process. A few things seem to influence their decision, among them being how long you have been here and if you can speak Korean. They are not make or break factors, but they do seem to have an influence on how smooth the process will be. Perhaps your spouses occupation has some bearing? If my Korean wife were unemployed, that may lead them to wonder how I was going to support her, and they may ask about the money. My wife is an elem school teacher, a very stable job, and they knew I was working at a uni at the time. Maybe that had something to do with it as well.

If so, as I said, they are just people. I will say that women generally seem to be more cordial in these matters than men. All of my experiences at immigration have worked out this way. The male workers seem to look for problems or sticking points, while the females seem to be more benignly interested in just going by the book and getting through it.

[nobbyken]

[Pak Yu Man]

Recent info on f-2 visa, Well 2 years old.

1) yes. Any job except prstitution, dancing and bartending. WTF?
2) Marriage certificate, proof your not married back home and 신원보증서
3) That's F-5. For an F-2 you need to show them proof you have a place to live..ie a contract, key money receipt, or a bank statement showiny you have a bunch of $$$.
4) You don't have to jump through all the hoops other whiteys have to at immigration. When immigration makes everyone visit with proof of diploma and all that other B.S. you can sit in your office drinking coffee while all 18 other co-workers have to go to Daejeon (a 2 hour trip).
You can work a part time job whenever and wherever you want to. Don't even talk to immigration. As long as you pay taxes.
You will be hated by K-men for stealing their woman.

5) Your wife is responsible. She is your keeper by the way. (it says that).

[Pak Yu Man]

Recent info on f-2 visa, Well 2 years old.

1) yes. Any job except prstitution, dancing and bartending. WTF?
2) Marriage certificate, proof your not married back home and 신원보증서
3) That's F-5. For an F-2 you need to show them proof you have a place to live..ie a contract, key money receipt, or a bank statement showiny you have a bunch of $$$.
4) You don't have to jump through all the hoops other whiteys have to at immigration. When immigration makes everyone visit with proof of diploma and all that other B.S. you can sit in your office drinking coffee while all 18 other co-workers have to go to Daejeon (a 2 hour trip).
You can work a part time job whenever and wherever you want to. Don't even talk to immigration. As long as you pay taxes.
You will be hated by K-men for stealing their woman.

5) Your wife is responsible. She is your keeper by the way. (it says that).

[Pak Yu Man]

Recent info on f-2 visa, Well 2 years old.

1) yes. Any job except prstitution, dancing and bartending. WTF?
2) Marriage certificate, proof your not married back home and 신원보증서
3) That's F-5. For an F-2 you need to show them proof you have a place to live..ie a contract, key money receipt, or a bank statement showiny you have a bunch of $$$.
4) You don't have to jump through all the hoops other whiteys have to at immigration. When immigration makes everyone visit with proof of diploma and all that other B.S. you can sit in your office drinking coffee while all 18 other co-workers have to go to Daejeon (a 2 hour trip).
You can work a part time job whenever and wherever you want to. Don't even talk to immigration. As long as you pay taxes.
You will be hated by K-men for stealing their woman.

5) Your wife is responsible. She is your keeper by the way. (it says that).

[bellum99]

Three
---but relevant every single time.

[Hollywoodaction]

[jinju]