E2 and D10 VISA FAQ (In Progress)

Credit to Waygook member "skippy" for providing a lot of the info in the FAQ.

E2 FAQ

Q: When do I have to leave Korea after I fulfill my contract?

You must leave by the date of your ARC, not your contract/ visa. If you overstay, you will be fined 100,000 KRW per day.

Q: 1) What if I quit or got canned?  2) What if I quit (or got canned) and want to stay in Korea to find another job?

1) You have up to 14 days, and can ask Immigration for an additional 14 days (call 1345).

2) You can apply for a D-10 visa, and it'll make things easier if you get a Letter of Release (LOR) from your employer. However, your employer is under no obligation to give you one.

The D-10 visa gives you 6 months to find a new job and, out of those 6 months, you can be out of Korea for a maximum of 90 days.

Q: My contract ended in March; I'm back home; and my visa expires in October. Can renew my visa in my home country?

A: No. Your visa gets canceled/cancelled 14 days after you finished work. You will have to apply for a new job from scratch.


Q: Have a job lined up, but will arrive Korea before getting E2. Is this okay?

You'll arrive on a tourist visa then will have to go to Japan for a visa run. The employer won't likely pay for your airplane ticket to Korea, but will likely pay for the visa run.


Extending Visa

You can apply for a visa extension within the last 60 days before your current visa expires.

If you're not renewing and wish to stay in the country after your contract expires, you need to apply for an extension (maximum one month). You can either go directly to Immigration Office  or do it online:

HiKorea.go.kr. --> Under the E-application tab --> The heading for is is Sojourn - Temporary extension of stay for departure of registered foreigners. 

If you're renewing, you'll need the following documents:

- Your passport
- Your Alien Registration Card
- Your new contract
- Proof of Employment, the POE Business Registration Number (ask your school for these)
- A processing fee: ~30,000 KRW (cash only)

D10 Visa


What does it do?

The D-10 visa gives you 6 months to find a new job after you've completed your contract (or got canned, laid off, or quit). Out of those 6 months, you can be out of Korea for a maximum of 90 days.

Note that travelling outside of Korea might require a new CRC and health test check! Also immigration may take your ARC to update it when you apply for a D-10; if you MUST travel without an ARC (not recommended), make color/colour photocopies of the front and back and get and get a "Certificate of Residency" (외국인사실증명서).

http://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/InfoDetailR_en.pt?categoryId=2&parentId=413&catSeq=&showMenuId=406

This costs 2,000 KRW and get it at the same time when you apply for the D-10. The certificate is just a basic letter with letterhead and official stamp stating your registration with immigration.

How to apply?

-you need to apply before your ARC expires, but can't apply while you're still working

-go to local immigration office, ideally where you got your first ARC

-make an appointment if possible, calling 1345 or via http://hikorea.go.kr

What do I need?

-passport
-two passport photos (use  subway booth)
-ARC
-application form aka integrated application form aka appendix paper no.34

application form can be downloaded at:

First choice from http://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/DownLoadTemplPopupR_en.pt#

Fill out the form using the Change of Status (No. 4) Requirements.

-here you'll fill out where you'll living during your D-10 status. Depending on the person you have at immigration, you might need proof of residence. The person whose name is under the residence will need to sign the 34 Form to prove you're living with him/her

-goshiwons (http://wiki.galbijim.com/Goshiwon), motels, hotels, etc. are acceptable residences

-intention for seeking employment form (available at immigration office)

-bring copies of updated bankbook or bank statement to show how you plan to survive while looking for a job.  Also need to explain how you plan to find a job (e.g., craiglist's, recruiters, Waygook, Dave's ESL, etc.) and if you'll do other things such as traveling/travelling (cannot be outside of Korea for more than 90 days!)

-previous employer's contract

-application fee of 130,000 KRW CASH

-Letter of Release (LOR)

-not needed if contract has been completed, but will make process easier.

-if quitting or laid off, then LOR is technically needed, but some have been lucky and received a D-10 without it (some difficult employers refuse to give LORs). Also LORs should be signed by the owner of the school.

Transferring D-10 to E-2?

-go to local immigration office, ideally the same one where you applied for your D-10

-Bring

-Passport
-ARC
-Application form/Integrated Application Form/Appendix Paper No.34

Available from the HiKorea website. It is the first choice from forms section.

-contract from new job

make sure it is signed (number and initial every page, too) and dates line up with D-10 visa.  Remember to get an extra copy for yourself.

-Copy of School Establishment & Operation Registration

-Copy of the Business Registration

-Letter of Guarantee(Sponsorship Form)
Available from the HiKorea website. It is the second choice and third from forms section.  You will likely submit a Korean version filled out by your future boss.

Details of Letter of Guarantee:
http://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/InfoDetailR_en.pt?catSeq=417&categoryId=2&parentId=389&showMenuId=376

- 130,000 KRW in CASH


Can I work while on a D-10?


No, it's illegal and thus at risk of being deported.


Can I get my pension refund while on a D-10?

No. If you heard otherwise, they were exceptions, not the rule.


Other Notes

-you have no health insurance

-can't get pension refund on D-10 (if you've heard stories, they were anomalies)

- you cannot work while a D-10 (it's illegal to do so and thus at risk of being deported)

-travelling outside of Korea might require a new CRC and health test check! Also immigration may take your ARC to update it when you apply for a D-10; if you MUST travel without an ARC (not recommended), make color/colour photocopies of the front and back and get and get a "Certificate of Residency" (외국인사실증명서).

http://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/InfoDetailR_en.pt?categoryId=2&parentId=413&catSeq=&showMenuId=406

This costs 2,000 KRW and get it at the same time when you apply for the D-10. The certificate is just a basic letter with letterhead and official stamp stating your registration with immigration.

Just curious what people's experience was in getting a D-10. I just talked to immigration, and the representative said I'll need a Passport, ARC, 1 photo, 130,000 won, Form 34, and a Job Seeking Form. I'm leaving voluntarily at the end of my contract, not getting fired/laid off, so I don't need anything from my employers.

In the experience of those who've done the same, are there any surprises? Something I should make sure to have just in case?

Also, she said to wait until the day *after* my contract is over, which I thought was strange. Is this a process that usually  happens in one day? I thought your visa expired when your contract expired. But is it an automatically 14 days, as stated in the FAQ thread. I didn't think to ask that when I was on the phone with them. I do know an awful lot of people who didn't leave as soon as their contract was over, but sometimes hung around Korea for a week or so before finally going home.

Thanks!

ask your employer to cancel your e-2 visa once your contract ends as an e-2 visa is valid for about a month after your contract finishes. once it is canceled you can apply for a d-10 though it takes a few weeks to make the switch and you cant leave before then.

I'm leaving voluntarily at the end of my contract, not getting fired/laid off, so I don't need anything from my employers.

Technically you do not need it, but... having a LOR can help things along quicker and easier.  Immigration official seeing a LOR will be set a ease and more likely to give a D-10.

Also, she said to wait until the day *after* my contract is over, which I thought was strange. Is this a process that usually  happens in one day?

  The D-10 usually takes that visit to get.   The problem comes with physical card aka ARC.  Sometimes immi will update that D-10 by just printing or writing on the back.  Sometimes, they like to take the card and issue a new one.  Problem is you have a few weeks you have no card which can make traveling hard.  Not impossible just troublesome.  Look site for details.

I thought your visa expired when your contract expired. But is it an automatically 14 days, as stated in the FAQ thread. I didn't think to ask that when I was on the phone with them. I do know an awful lot of people who didn't leave as soon as their contract was over, but sometimes hung around Korea for a week or so before finally going home.

They hang around because is common for people to be given about an extra month on their ARC.   You have to apply for the D-10 before you ARC expires.   The problem becomes timing.   You may finish your contract and go to immi and they will look at the date and tell you to come back later closer to the end of the ARC.

If my above website is helpful please message or email me with more info on how your process went.

Hey Skippy, that's a detailed page! Yeah, I see what you meant about the LOR. When I talked to immigration, I told the representative that I was leaving at the end of the contract of my own volition (my co-teacher wanted me to stay), but a minute later she reminded me that if the contract was being cut short early for any reason, a LOR was needed. Kind of like she didn't really believe me.

So yeah, I guess they just aren't used to NETs just deciding to relocate without being forced somehow, like not being re-signed or something, or just plain fired. I'll definitely snag one before August.

Don't cancel your e2! You need to change your visa status to d-10. You definitely dont want your school to cancel your work visa!

Your visa status will be changed to d-10 the same day you visit the immigration office. It will just take a couple of weeks to re-issue you an alien card.
You dont need any LOR. Just bring your contract.  They will see the date  and will see you have completed it.

100% absolutely YOU CAN TRAVEL while your new ARC is being processed. You will need to get a "certificate of alien registration" . It is proof of your work visa... its just as good as your alien card.
I switched to a d-10 on a Friday in February and left on a 2 week vacation the next day. Just make sure you carry your certificate to show immigration.

My final piece of advice is not to listen to what people on the immigration hotline tell you. They told me that all of the above was not possible. They have a lot more information at the immigration office.

Goodluck! And DO NOT CANCEL YOUR E-2!!!!

Your visa doesnt expire once your contract is finish. Check your dates on your arc. You should have one extra month left after u finish your contract. That's why they told you to wait till your contract is up.

I went to immigration and applied for my D-10 the first Monday of March and my new ARC was sent to my new (temporary) address that I put on the application form 1 week later. Definitely DO NOT cancel your E2. All I needed to bring were my ARC, Passport, acceptable photos (hair back, mid shoulders to a bit above the head, no hat, etc...) 130,000 won, a completed "Job Seeking" form, and a "34 Form" which says where you will be living. They will take your ARC but you will leave the immigration office with a paper that says you applied for the visa change.

I called immigration several times and got different info from different people but I did end up getting the new visa. One of the immigration tellers emailed me the application form, the Job seeking form, and the 34 Form so I could print them out at home. If it is convenient for you to go to the immigration office to pick up the papers, you can just do that.

I was told I needed proof of me living there, but it's technically my boyfriend's place so my name wasn't on any utility bills. I had my bf sign the "34 Form" and write a letter that said I live with him. Then I cut the address part of a package he received and brought that for them to photocopy to use as proof that he lives there. Utility bills or housing contracts are also acceptable.

I called immigration everyday after that to see when my status officially went thought. About 3 days later, they said I was officially of D-10 status so I went to my recent District Office and had them print a paper that said my visa status. That paper cost about 2,000 won.

Just to recap, I'll list everything I brought to the immigration office.

ARC
Passport
Korean official style photos (You can get them from a photo booth in a train station or at the immigration office. If you get them at the office, expect a line. There's only 1 machine. It costs something like 7,000 won and it ONLY TAKES CASH)
130,000 won
Job Seeking Form (You write a list of the things you're going to do to find a job. Such as "check for job postings on craigslist.com")
34 Form (Where you will be living during your D-10 status. Depending on the person you have at immigration, you might need proof of residence. Basically, anything that has the name of the person who you're staying with and their address. That person needs to sign the 34 Form. I had my person write and sign a letter saying that I lived with them.)

Make sure you bring enough cash plus some just in case. Always have singles!!

Hope this helps :-D

Updated the FAQ.

Okay... So if my boss wants to punish me for quitting and therefore refuses to give me a letter of release. I'm not able to transfer to a d-10
Visa and therefore have 14 days to leave the country?

Are there anyways to verify if you can transfer to a new position without the letter of release once you have quit?

You will need an LOR if you quit.  But if you quit due to abuse by the school such as non payment of benefits, you would have to provide proof to immi official.  It's really up to them to approve your case without an LOR.  The more evidence you show, the better chance you have.

Sometimes the immi hotline just make shiz up, imagine that in Korea? I had a flight leaving a few hours past my arc expiration and called immi hotline to see if it was gonna be aproblem and was told it could be a serious problem if I was going t come back to Korea and should bali bali to immi office. I went to the Immigration office to get a days extension to find a ticked off immi agent wondering why I was wasting her time with this while a long line of people were waiting for more important shiz.

I have a D-10 visa now.

How important is it to get a national FBI criminal background check?

For my original E-2 visa, I just have a state criminal background check.
I heard it's a hit and miss situation but I was wondering if it was worth going all the trouble to get it.

I have a D-10 visa now.

How important is it to get a national FBI criminal background check?

For my original E-2 visa, I just have a state criminal background check.
I heard it's a hit and miss situation but I was wondering if it was worth going all the trouble to get it.

The hit will be more likely if you change schools.  So if you are on a D-10 you can expect to be asked.  If you were extending I am surprised that the you have not been asked for it yet.   Immigration gave peoples a break about two years ago.   My advice is get started on getting it.    You might not have it when immi asks for it, but it is better to have it half done then not done.   Immigration might give leeway if you can prove it happening.

So when you apply and have everything prepared, they can update your visa status on the same day?

I just finished my school but have until the end of september. Just trying to figure when to apply...

I am currently on an E2 Visa and planning on changing to a D10. This questions is primarily for Americans, as getting an FBI background check is a lengthy process. Is this something I'll likely need to do if I visit the United States while on my D-10?

I ended my contract half way with a LOR just before chuseok. I have a job lined up, but the contract is not yet signed. I plan on heading to immigration on Monday to figure out the documents I need, but would like to get first hand accounts if possible.

Has anyone recently transferred from an E2 to another E2 or to an E7? What was the process? Thanks!

pilferstarfish: you should absolutely get a FBI check if you are going back to the states. It depends on the immigration office (some willl say it's OK, some will say it's not). If you do it at the same immigration office you started out at, they probably won't need it but it's never a bad idea to have one. So I would get two, one for the next six months (in case the new job doesn't work out) and one to use right away if you need to.

So how long does it take to process guys?

Hey guys,

Myself and my husband are currently travelling through Asia and hope to teach in Korea this Feb. We have all the documents but need to obtain the E2 visa from abroad. I've heard conflicting things about getting the visa in Japan prior to teaching. This is the 1st time we have applied for an E2 visa.

Anyone have experience of this? Any help is warmly welcomed!

Thanks