The Fukuoka Korean Consulate recently announced that from April 2014, they have changed the time it takes to process re-entry visas otherwise known as “visa runs” for applicants changing from tourist status to E2-Visa (English Teacher) status. Teachers planning to go on a Fukuoka E2 Visa Run need to note the following.
E2-2 Visa
For teaching programs that issue a Notice of Appointment number (NOA) such as:
- English Program in Korea (EPIK)
- Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOE)
- Jeonbuk Office of Education (JB EPIK)
- Gyeongnam Office of Education (GOE)
- Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education (IMOE)
The processing time has changed to 3 business days (from originally 1). You must remain in Japan for those 4 days until your visa is ready. For example, if you applied for the visa on a Wednesday morning, It would be available to pick up the next Monday.
E2-1 Visa
Those in a teaching program that issues a Visa Issuance Number (VIN) such as:
- Gyeonggi English Program in Korea (GEPIK)
- Hagwons
- Private Primary Schools
The processing time has changed to 2 business days (from originally 1). You must remain in Japan for those 3 days until your visa is ready. For example, if you applied for the visa on a Wednesday morning, it would be available to pick up on the Friday.
Korvia advises that those going on a visa run to Fukuoka apply for their visa right in the morning when they open.