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American Citizens with valid U.S. passports
may enter Korea for a period of 30 days without a visa (arrival day counts
as day number one). All foreigners who stay in Korea more than 90 days
must obtain residence certificates. Fingerprints are generally required
of all foreigners over age 20 who will be here for at least one year.
Americans must keep their visa status current with Korean Immigration.
Violators of immigration and entry/exit regulations are subject to fines;
i.e., if foreigners overstay their visas they must pay substantial fines.
The lowest fine is usually about 100,000 won for an overstay of 30 days
or less.
Children born in Korea need to obtain visas and other pertinent documentation,
and be reported to Korean Immigration, within 30 days of birth
(American Citizens should also report the
birth of a child to the Embassy to secure your child's first passport
and report of birth).
Permission is required to engage in any activity (e.g., part-time work)
not covered by the original visa or status of entry. Work visas are not
granted in Korea; this type of visa must be obtained before entry.
You must obtain extensions of stay before the expiration of the allowed
period.
There is an airport tax for all people departing Korea. There are no special
exit procedures for tourists who depart the country before the expiration
of the initial period of allowed stay. However, reentry permits, residence
certificates and other documentation may be required of foreign residents
who wish to return here. Complete information on these procedures may
be obtained from any Immigration Office of the Korean Ministry of Justice.
In Korea, the Immigration Bureau
of the ROK Justice Ministry should be contacted for information regarding
other types of visas and/or adjustment of visa status. You can learn more
from the Immigration Bureau
on-line. Their main Seoul office is located at #319-2, Shinjeong 6-dong,
Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, telephone 02-650-6231 or 02-650-6234. Take Line 5
of the subway to Omokyo Station, Exit No. 7. The Bureau is about a 10
minute walk once you exit the subway system.
You will find their pamphlet, "The Korean Immigration Service" (their
number 11-1270000-000279-1) a useful English-language reference for visa
questions. The Embassy does not stock copies of the pamphlet; please contact
the Immigration Bureau directly.
Concerns and complaints should be made to Korean Immigration's "Foreigner's
Advice Office", telephone number 02-650-6341, or to the "Control Office"
at 02-650-6212.
Persons outside of Korea should contact the Korean
Embassy or Consulate nearest them.
Americans in Korea planning to travel to Fukuoka should follow this link
to learn about applying
for a Korean visa in Fukuoka.
The Embassy has no authority to intervene in any ROK immigration decision.
Criminal Record Checks For U.S. Citizens
U.S. citizens may be asked to present a "certificate of good
conduct" or "lack of a criminal record" for a variety
of reasons for use abroad including adoption, school attendance, employment,
etc. The State Department has a
web page with complete detail concerning criminal record checks.
Looking instead for information on visas for Koreans traveling to the
U.S.?
Updated October 2, 2002
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