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.