Going to Korea - What you Might Like to Know Regarding New Rules!
Posted 18th August 2008 at 01:49 by phuketbound
I’ve just spent a wonderful summer here in Canada. I’ve got to spend time with family and friends, that I hadn’t seen in over a year previously. I always enjoy Canadian summers as they are never as humid as Korean or Thailand summers.
I had a phone interview with an employer in Korea, that I was excited about. Not only did it pay quite a bit more than last year, but I had two extra weeks holidays. I decided that I would go back to Seoul for my third year as I knew that I could save money easier there, than here in Canada. Even though my salary would be about the same and maybe a bit greater teaching here in Canada, I knew that I wouldn’t have to pay rent in Korea. Not paying rent is always a big savings. Realizing in the past few months how expensive everything is due to inflation, my choice was already made.
I left Korea six months ago, and had read that the new Korean government had changed the rules to enter Korea as of December 2007. The new procedures were just a bit different then when I went last year. It cost me around 250$ CAD to prepare to return to Korea. I also had to make it to the Korean embassy three times in total.
This is what I needed to go back to Korea for September 2008. I needed three sealed transcripts. The transcripts had to match my degree. I had to get a police check that took a week to get back. I was lucky to get the check back so quickly, because in bigger cities it can take six weeks to two months to get back (last years experience).
I had to get my police check, and my degree notarized by a public notary. I went to a lawyer that I had used previously. It only cost me 10$ CAD per document. I’ve been told from others going to Korea, that it can cost a lot more than that depending on where you get it notarized.
After getting those documents notarized, I had to go to the Korean embassy, and get those two documents notarized by them. That cost me 5$ CAD. At the embassy I also had to give them 1 copy of a sealed transcript, plus show my passport. I have read that if you are not in Canada, than you have to get your police check apostilled. I did not have to do that.
After getting those documents from the embassy, I had to send a list of documents including sealed transcripts, police check and degree (notarized), signed contract, passport page photocopied, medical form filled out, and signed. I sent all of these via fedex that cost me 65$ CAD. Regarding the medical. Last year, I had a medical check, and I had to get the doctor to check the form that the Korean government had sent me. It cost me almost 200$ CAD at the time.
This year I was told that I could get the medical done when I get to Korea. They sent me a form with questions on it that I had to answer yes/no . I had to send that form with the rest of the documents.
I waited for two weeks to get a visa issuance number via email. I then had to go back to the embassy, and bring one passport sized photo, fill out an application, and give them a sealed transcript. I had to pay 55$ CAD, and hand them my passport. I had to go back in one week to pick up my passport that will have my E2 working visa in it.
I'm glad to get that all sorted, as it was time-consuming and stressful. The only new change that I noticed this year compared to last year, was getting my degree and police check notarized by the Korean embassy. Last year, I only had to get my transcripts notarized by a lawyer.
I hope this helps some people. I'm counting the days now to get back to The Land of the Morning Calm.
I had a phone interview with an employer in Korea, that I was excited about. Not only did it pay quite a bit more than last year, but I had two extra weeks holidays. I decided that I would go back to Seoul for my third year as I knew that I could save money easier there, than here in Canada. Even though my salary would be about the same and maybe a bit greater teaching here in Canada, I knew that I wouldn’t have to pay rent in Korea. Not paying rent is always a big savings. Realizing in the past few months how expensive everything is due to inflation, my choice was already made.
I left Korea six months ago, and had read that the new Korean government had changed the rules to enter Korea as of December 2007. The new procedures were just a bit different then when I went last year. It cost me around 250$ CAD to prepare to return to Korea. I also had to make it to the Korean embassy three times in total.
This is what I needed to go back to Korea for September 2008. I needed three sealed transcripts. The transcripts had to match my degree. I had to get a police check that took a week to get back. I was lucky to get the check back so quickly, because in bigger cities it can take six weeks to two months to get back (last years experience).
I had to get my police check, and my degree notarized by a public notary. I went to a lawyer that I had used previously. It only cost me 10$ CAD per document. I’ve been told from others going to Korea, that it can cost a lot more than that depending on where you get it notarized.
After getting those documents notarized, I had to go to the Korean embassy, and get those two documents notarized by them. That cost me 5$ CAD. At the embassy I also had to give them 1 copy of a sealed transcript, plus show my passport. I have read that if you are not in Canada, than you have to get your police check apostilled. I did not have to do that.
After getting those documents from the embassy, I had to send a list of documents including sealed transcripts, police check and degree (notarized), signed contract, passport page photocopied, medical form filled out, and signed. I sent all of these via fedex that cost me 65$ CAD. Regarding the medical. Last year, I had a medical check, and I had to get the doctor to check the form that the Korean government had sent me. It cost me almost 200$ CAD at the time.
This year I was told that I could get the medical done when I get to Korea. They sent me a form with questions on it that I had to answer yes/no . I had to send that form with the rest of the documents.
I waited for two weeks to get a visa issuance number via email. I then had to go back to the embassy, and bring one passport sized photo, fill out an application, and give them a sealed transcript. I had to pay 55$ CAD, and hand them my passport. I had to go back in one week to pick up my passport that will have my E2 working visa in it.
I'm glad to get that all sorted, as it was time-consuming and stressful. The only new change that I noticed this year compared to last year, was getting my degree and police check notarized by the Korean embassy. Last year, I only had to get my transcripts notarized by a lawyer.
I hope this helps some people. I'm counting the days now to get back to The Land of the Morning Calm.
Total Comments 14
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Three sealed transcripts? They're seriously going nuts over there. If you can fake one, you can fake three. And the notarization/apostillization is just ridiculous.
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I do like to keep somewhat up to date on these things in case I ever need to go back to Korea. and good luck with your new job. |
Posted 18th August 2008 at 01:53 by Lizara
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Thanks, Lizara. Yes, I did forget to mention that having three sealed transcripts was also new this year. Previously, I had only needed one to send to Korea.
I've decided that going through this procedure once is enough. If anyone is thinking of going home, and returning, then this is what you are up for. For new people going to Korea, then you'll have even more to do, as you will need to have an interview with the Korean consulate. |
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Posted 18th August 2008 at 01:56 by phuketbound
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I had to notarise and apositlise and get certified translations of all my certs before I worked in Colombia ... there are wose places to make you jump through the paperwork hurdles.
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Posted 18th August 2008 at 03:52 by Bubba
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I'm sure there are worse places, and I am not judging the process. I am just laying it out on the table for those who may be interested. Koreas are making it harder, but that is not always a bad thing. I just don't want to go through it again because it is my third time.
Perhaps Thailand could learn a thing or two from Korea in this regard. |
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Posted 18th August 2008 at 05:23 by phuketbound
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They got a bit pissy with me because my transcripts were 'original copies' (the reason being my uni charged £20 per original, and £5 for a stamped copy and authorised photocopy, and I was buggered if I was going pay £60). SMOE contacted me and said I must send originals. I wrote back saying that only I had the original (logic which seemed to throw them), so how was it possible to send originals anyway? 3 copies means a copy by definition. After a bit of back and forth, they relented and let it go. Ridiculous scenario since the document was couriered direct from my uni without me even seeing it in the first place!
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Posted 18th August 2008 at 06:04 by ellroy
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I'm glad they accept them, Elroy. As SMOE can be very picky. Was the process somewhat the same as I went through from your end (UK?)
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Posted 18th August 2008 at 10:04 by phuketbound
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I only had to get my CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check notorised and apostillised (by the embassy), not my degree certificate. It cost quite a bit more than yours (about £75 in total). I didn't go to the embassy at all, as I did everything by post. The turn around was very quick; my visa came back in 3 days.
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Posted 18th August 2008 at 11:00 by ellroy
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Nice to feel welcome, innit?
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Posted 18th August 2008 at 15:16 by Nick
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good job PB, thanks for sharing, that's a lot of running around though. I wish you all the best, good luck and enjoy Korea.
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Posted 19th August 2008 at 09:51 by i1der
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Thanks to all that commented. Thank you !1der.
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Posted 19th August 2008 at 10:47 by phuketbound
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Can you change the background of your blog? I can barely read anything in there.
regards |
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Posted 25th August 2008 at 07:07 by buddahas
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What blog would that be? Do you mean my profile? Isn't that my own personal wall?
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Posted 25th August 2008 at 09:46 by phuketbound
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let us know when you get to Korea, have a pleasant trip.
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Posted 28th August 2008 at 01:47 by i1der
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Hows it hanging girl ?
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Posted 12th October 2008 at 20:54 by re_fuse
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Recent Blog Entries by phuketbound
- Going to Korea - What you Might Like to Know Regarding New Rules! (18th August 2008)
