Moving to South Korea?

Question

Im moving to South Korea to be with my husband who's based over there. I am having trouble finding information on how to obtain a visa and what kind to apply for. I'll be there for at least a year.

Answer 1

Visa Type

Tourist & Business Visas

Visitors from countries not under Visa Exemption Agreements must apply for a visa extension if planning to stay for more than 30 days. Depending on the situation of the consulate, the visa extension will be issued 1 to 3 days from the day of application. Applicants require a completed application form, a recent passport-size colour photo and application fee. Visitors do not require the outbound flight ticket. Visa extensions are usually for 90 days.

All visas including long-term visas are for a single visit. Therefore anyone who wishes to leave the country and re-enter later on during the allowed period of stay should obtain the Re-entry Permit from the Ministry of Justice prior to departure. For business visas, the intention of activities must be clearly stated on the visa application form.


Work Visas

Visitors may obtain work visas in their home country with the endorsement of the employer in Korea. If the visitor is already in Korea, he/she must obtain the work visa from an embassy or consulate in a country outside Korea. Work visas are usually valid for 1 year from the date of issue and take about 2-4 weeks to process. Work visa extensions are possible if visitor remains with the same employer. Visitors with work visas must obtain a residence permit from the Immigration Office. Visitors engaging in remunerative activities without a work visa can be subject to fines and deportation.


Application for Visas


- Visa application should be made at Korean Embassies or consulates abroad.

- It is required for the visa applicants to submit passport, application forms, a recent passport-style color photograph, and such other documents as determined by the status of stay.

- Visa fees are as follows:

Single entry visa for a stay of no more than 90 days : USD30

Single entry visa for a stay of more than 90 days : USD50

Multiple entry visa : USD80

Prolongation of Re-entry Permit : USD20

* For Citizens of United States of America, multiple entry visa fee is USD45 on the basis of reciprocity since the mutual agreement in 1994.



Visa Extension

Extensions for tourist visas are possible in special cases such as accidents, health problems, flight cancellation, etc. Applications for visa extensions can be made at a local immigration office at least one day before the day of expiration.


For more Info visit http://www.korea.net/korea/kor_loca.asp?code=A0501

Answer 2

If your husband is in the military, you will get a Status Of Forces Agreement accompanyment visa (SOFA visa) which is classified as F-3. You apply through the Korean embassy and they will require a copy of your husbands orders along with the visa application, and a copy of your marriage certificate.

More information and application at the link below.

Answer 3

Why in hell would you move here? If your family is working for the US government then maybe you can get into the American schools on base. If not, you are totally hosed. Korean schools are horrible. The teachers abuse the kids frequently. Kids in middle school are abused the most often. They often hit them in the legs with bamboo sticks and make them get on their knees and hold their arms up over their heads for a long period of time. Also, some other abuse often goes on too after school. They even make the kids clean the school! You will hate it really. Again, if you go to an American school, it will be cool, but Korean still is boring and smelly and polluted.

Answer 4

Fax a copy of your husbands orders to the local US embassy before you leave....and ask for a multiple entry 90 day visa.....unless you are command sponsered you will need to exit and enter every 90 days...otherwise you will need to leave every 30 days....jumps to japan are the norm

Answer 5

I think you should let your husband take care of it for you.
I believe there is agreement of some sort for spouses of military man and woman who stationed in over sea.
Or you can try to contact the militery personal in your area.
Good luck.

Answer 6

Contact your State Representative.
They may even have the forms in their office.