letmefillyouin

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It’s taken a month to get, but it’s finally worth it. When I realized that this job wasn’t for me and my cousin told me that I have options as a Korean American to leave my current job, I had to get things figured out. My cousin told me that I could get a F4 visa which would allow me to work anywhere I wanted to unlike the E2 visa which I was currently on. An E2 visa is a teaching visa and I’m bound with a school while the F4 visa makes me somewhat of a permanent resident and gives me freedom to do whatever I want.

11.03.07: My cousin informs me about the F4 visa.

11.04.07: We fill out the forms and take my visa pictures.

11.05.07: I have to go to the village office to get a family registry. I drag my old co-worker with me to find the office and get the registry. First attempt at the new visa: we go to the immigration office and they say I need my certificate of naturalization. It was lost during a move and I don’t know where it is. It takes about 6 months to get a new one in the states.

11.06.07-11.16.07: Researched online and found someone’s blog entry about how to obtain proof another way. I can go to the US Embassy in Seoul to get my certificate number

11.16.0-11.20.07: Emailed the Embassy to ask them what I need. They said to get a money order for 380 US Dollars and two photos and bring it to the CIS office at the US Embassy

11.23.07: Woke up at 5:30am to get the subway from CheonAn to Seoul. Rode it for 2 hours and went to the bank to get a money order. They had no idea what the heck I was talking about. We finally got it figured out. It took about 2 hours. Went to the Embassy and found out the CIS office was closed. Damn I have to come back on Monday before work.

11.26.07: Woke up at 5:30am to get the subway from CheonAn to Seoul. Rode it for 2 hours and went to the US Embassy. I gave them the money order; it was made out to the wrong person. They cannot issue me a new certificate but will call me in 4-5 days with a number. I have no idea why I needed a money order. I had an hour from the time the office opened till I had to get on the KTX in Seoul to go back to work in Hayang.

12.03.07: No call from the Embassy, I email them and hear back with a number. I have to get the number notarized from the US Embassy in SEOUL!

12.07.07: Woke up at 5:00, rode the bus to the subway station, rode the subway to the train station and took the KTX for 2 hours to Seoul. Went to the Embassy and got my letter notarized, it costs thirty dollars. They said the credit card machine is broken. I need to get cash. I walk outside and can’t find an ATM. I finally find one and go back. I asked them if they can try the credit card and what do you know, it works. Thirty dollars letter I swear that my letter is true and the Vice Counsel gives me his signature and the US Seal. I catch the KTX again at 11am and get back to Hayang and go to work.

12.11.2007: Went to the immigration office. They say I need to renounce my Korean citizenship. I show him my paperwork and he doesn’t understand my notarized letter. He stares at the letter. I stare at him. He finally goes through with the process and then asks me to translate the letter. I say I don’t know how to, so he goes online and translates it. I am officially no longer a Korean citizen. I go back to the immigration officer and he takes my paperwork. He’s confused too, but I think he feels sorry for me and processes the visa. He asks me why I’m changing it even though my current visa is good for a year. I tell him, I don’t like my job and want to move to Seoul. He laughs and gives me a receipt and tells me to pick up my passport and new ID card in one week. I make sure that this was a sure thing and he said it was. The Korean Immigration office can be your lifesaver depending on the day and mood of the officer you get.

12.14.07: Go to the Immigration office for about the fifth time in a month and pick up my passport and new ID card stating that I’m on an F4 visa. I’m telling my boss that I’m quitting today. Wish me luck!

Whew…I’m moving to Seoul in February!!! I need to celebrate!

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Comments

[Chitra]

Congrats lady!! Looks like all the hustling worked out in the end. Maybe Andy and you will be neighbors in Seoul, and Wen and I will visit and we'll be one random happy family! Just hoping out loud. ;) Hollar with some pics next time...like em!

[Erica]

Motivation!
Hey Susan, Holy cow, what motivation you had to get out of your old situation. So many people in your situation would have taken it longer rather than go through all of that hassle! Good for you! So, you had to renounce your citizenship? I don't get it. If you were a citizen of Korea, then why did you need a visa in the first place? Immigration is soooooo confusing. Anyway, I'm glad everything worked out in the end. Hey, what's your main e-mail address? Your gmail? Just know that we think of you often. Just yesterday, someone mentioned your name, and Pablo said, "Awwww, Susan..." WE MISS YOU!

[kalpesh]

drama!
wow, god damn. that's a lot of damn drama for that! I've noticed that the embassies in other countries, including the US embassay in other countries, well... suck. I'm sorry about all the hassle, but it looks like it's paid off!!! sweet!! How long will you be in Seoul for? I think myself and a friend my try to take a trip out there this coming year, it would be great to have a local around! :)