I am in Korea at the moment waiting for my E2 visa confirmation number so I can schedule my interview.
This is my first E2 visa, I had a D2 visa in the past when I studied in Seoul around 2008.
My recruiter is telling me I can take care of my E2 with a visa run to Japan. It was my impression that since this was my first E2 I had to go to Guam.
This is what it says on HiKorea
The following outlines the differences when applying for visa issuance through overseas consulate.
- By rule, must apply from the Korean consulate that is located in the applicant’s country.
※ When applying from a third country is permitted:
- Those that have worked in Korea as a Professor (E-1), Foreign language instructor (E-2), or Researcher (E-3), and have no record of law breaking
-‘Those whose education level has been verified by domestic verification agency (‘Korean Council for University Education’) that was created based on Law on Korean University Education Association
▶By rule, must go through an interview at the consulate. (However, those that applied for visa issuance from a third country may skip this portion as situation warrants)
- According to the standard interview manual, conduct a face-to-face interview. However, if circumstances were such that making a visit is not possible or plausible, then it may be conducted over video conference.
- If, after the interview, the applicant is deemed unfit to work as an instructor, visa will not be issued regardless of the issuance of visa issuance certificate.
My question is about the verified education, I submitted a copy of my degree with a notary and an apostille. Will this be enough to satisfy those requirements and allow me to go to Japan instead of Guam? Or does it all depend on who reviews my documents?
Re: Visa Interview Question
Q: Will this (my college diploma) be enough to satisfy those requirements and allow me to go to Japan instead of Guam?
A: The Korean Law for Univ. Education defines as such; if you obtained a bachelor degree in Korea from a college on the list provided by the Council<http://english.kcue.or.kr/sub_08.php>, you may run a new visa in a third country. Otherwise, go to Guam or Hawaii when it is from the US. But all that is all Korean rules & regulations. Japan has got their own at the Korean Consular in their local prefectures. Whatever place in Japan is suggested by your broker, make a direct inquiry online to their Korean Consular office. I think that would pretty much be the best.