Korean Job Discussion Forums

[man D]

Just got back- very easy- nice people at the consolate- very effecient.
Thought I would save some of you some time and consoladate some FACs.

Airport: they will ask you where you are staying, have an address ready, whether you stay there or not. On your landing card, say renewing korean work visa not "tourism"or they will scold you, and make you change it, they know better.

Consulate Address:
1-1-3 Jigohama Chuo-ku, Fukuoaka City, 810-0065
092-771-0461

getting there: A.what I did was meet 3 other friends on the plane and shared a taxi directly from the airport. It took about 10 minutes, cost about 3,800yen, split 4 ways, made the whole affair much less stressful, and beat the crowd, since everyone on your plane is going there for the same reason! I understand getting to the consulate is even easier from the ferry dock.

B. If you have been living in Korea, you'll find the subway to be very similar systematically. You can get a day pass for something like 500yen at a seperate machine then the main ones, it is free standing, white, think it has a button for english directions, but basically you just toss some money and it spits it out. From the airport it is about 6 stops Tojin-Machi (I think, double check that) when you exit the station head towards the water/ Yahoo Dome. If you are facing the Dome it is to your left on the street the run along the left side parellel to the Dome. on the corner of a main highway type street.

At the consulate:
-sign in (have your home/ korean address, phone number ready)
there are all kinds of rumors about how late you can drop off application, it seems to be 11am to be safe. But unnofficially (just before they close for lunch).
- they have the visa forms there, you can also print a copy of the internet.
-again i heard a rumor about needing a "visa insurance number" I was not asked for this number. Perhaps it was written in my paperwork somewhere, yet when i asked my school, they knew nothing about it. I had no problem doing my visa without it.
-as long as your prepared, it is painless:
bring:
* one passport photo (they have a machine though)
* diploma+ photocopy of diploma(s)
* sealed traniscripts (if you bring an open copy- they may allow you to keep you sealed copy, so you don't have to order more. they have done this for me both times I've renewed.
*your passport naturally
*have all your addresses & phone #: home,/korean address/ school
*school business license (in korean, get from employer)
* signed contract
* letter of invitation (in korean, from employer)
*copy of resume (think they just look and give it back though
***bring YEN!!! they do not take WON!! C-4 visa 5,400, E-2, 6,000yen
***money exchanges are sparce, do this before you leave Korea!

Whole process will take about 3 minutes.

Hotel idea:
I stayed at Hakata Station: Sun Life Hotel. It was not the cheapest option but it was very convenient, getting out of Hakata station is a bit harry, but once you find the right exit which is something like 'Chongushi' (away from the bus terminal) you walk through a food court/ mall to get out- you are facing the hotel, and several others of equal value. Several of my travel mates got a triple room for what seemed like an ok price, I got a single which was about $6,000 yen i think, cheaper without breakfast which is nothing to be excited about- better to just hit the Starbucks or food court at the station.

Nightlife is great! but heard from one of the guys that he was not let into a lot of the bars/ clubs in canal city area. We went to the area near Tenjin (not to be confused with where the consulate is) this area is very posche, went to a place called Sam and Daves, great western bartender, nice food menu, ok beer selection, chill during week, meatmarket on the weekend. Also a place around the corner that was impossible to find, but once you do it's good fun: the HAPPY (male chicken) I guess there is censorship on here, thats a shame. Anyway, dance club with a buffet if you get there before midnight, and an "all you can drink special"!!

You won't want to go back to korea, it's a beautiful, clean, modern city!!

[maeil]

Very nice summary.

I really do agree with your last sentiment. I loved Fukuoka and actually arranged to stay longer than scheduled on my last visa trip.

If anyone is looking for cheaper accommodations, I recommend: http://www.khaosan-fukuoka.com
It's a traveler's hostel, 2000 yen a night for a shared room. Very kind and cool people there, comfy beds, clean, and a locker for your stuff. The man at the front desk was especially helpful when I asked about nightlife, restaurants, places to see etc.

The experience made me start considering Fukuoka after Korea...

[simpleminds]

I handed in my visa papers at 3.30pm, got it at 10 am the next day. They close at 3.30pm. It helped I had filled out the form from the internet.

I stayed in a business hostel in Ohori-keon. Clean, free internet, free small brekki, friendly staff, Fukuoka castle nearby. One stop from Tenjin-machi. About 4000-4500 yen per night, depending on the day of the week.

Took the subway from the airport. Takes maybe 30 mins, walk about five/ten mins. It's easy to navigate.