Visa requirements when leaving and returning to the country

Immigration is very complicated so I thought I would ask here first.

I'm looking to take a short break at the end of my contract and return. I have an extra month on my E2 visa but after a two week trip home would they allow me back in the country with only a few days remaining?

 

I heard about a D-10 visa which I'm sure I will have to get at some point anyway. Can I leave and re-enter the country in that visa?

 

Thanks in advance

Re: Visa requirements when leaving and returning to the country

You are free to leave and return to Korea as long as your ARC is valid( see the date on the back of your id card). This is what immigration told me last year.So you have a month to play with outside of Korea.

I actually got the D10 visa instead because I wanted a longer break. This is pretty easy to get once your contract is completed.You need to fill in a change of status form and a job-seeking plan/financial plan.It costs 50,000 won. This visa gives you an extra 6 months of sojourn in Korea during which you can leave and return. When I got the D10 I went home for 3 months and returned to start a new contract. With the D10 you will not need new documents when you find another job ( unless you are out of the country for more than 90 days).

Some people had to wait 2 weeks to get their D10 but I was given the visa on the day I applied.Call the immigration hotline 1345 (English) for clarification.

Re: Visa requirements when leaving and returning to the country

I was wondering...Can I apply for a D10 before my contract is over? I am currently on an E2 visa - my contract finishes on November 29th and my ARC expires on December 14th. I fly out of the country on November 30th so I won't be able to only transfer my visa after the 29th. Is it possiblwe for me to go within the next 2 weeks, change it and then still work at my current hagwon on a D10 until I go home on the 29th?

Re: Visa requirements when leaving and returning to the country

No. You cannot apply for a D10 while you are still working. I tried. Immigration will tell you to come back to them when you finish your contract. Because you cannot work while on a D10 visa( searching for work visa).  If you had a few free days after your contract finished you could have applied for a D10 before you flew home. 

 

Re: Visa requirements when leaving and returning to the country

Question: About the 90 day document rule. You will be required to acquire all your documents all over again only if you leave the country for 90 days+, but if you stayed here in Korea with the D10 visa your documents are fine to use for the full 6 months duration?

Thanks in advance. 

Re: Visa requirements when leaving and returning to the country

I have recently gotten a d10 visa that expires next may. I will not be back in korea until march. since its a while and its longer than90 days, will I need new documents? I'm aware this is basically the same question as above and I can't find an nswer anywhere

Re: Visa requirements when leaving and returning to the country

You can't find an answer anywhere? What about the answer up above? ie, if you leave Korea for more than 90 days then you will need new documents. 1345 is the number for the English-speaking helpline at  Korean Immigration and they are quite helpful. You can also do a google search of 'daves esl cafe'  and find many recent D10 experiences.