Photocopy of Degree with Apostille.... OR Original Degree with Apostille...?

[Bunk]

Photocopy of Degree with Apostille.... OR   Original Degree with Apostille...?

Which is required to transfer from a hakwon to a university
(not a public primary or secondary school) this upcoming August, 2011?

Anyone know? I am hearing all kinds of conflicting information on this issue.

Thanks for any help.

[west coast tatterdemalion]

You don't get your actual degree apostilled. You get the photocopy notarized first then take/send it to the secretary of state for the apostille. Very easy process for this part of the BS immi requirements. Now if only they would be smart enough to record our information in their computers so we wouldn't have to submit new apostilled degree every single damn time we want a new visa.

[Bunk]

As far as I know, once you submit a degree (or in this case, a photocopy of it) with an apostille that meets their requirements, you supposedly won't have to do it again, as long as you remain in Korea and transfer to a new job or renew your contract.

Here's another question for anyone: I keep hearing about how they have relaxed the new paperwork rules for people who are transferring their visas in 2011, as long as it is their first transfer since the time of the paperwork requirement change effective on Sept. 1st 2010. Some people who have transferred or renewed (in other words, they aren't newcomers to Korea) have posted that their immigration offices didn't require all of the new paperwork and won't do so until 2012.

Does anyone have any experiences to confirm this?

[kiekie87]

You first have to get your photocopied degree notarized or "authenticated" by your school. Then, take it to get notarized by your county, then send it to be notarized by your state. A color or black and white copy will suffice.

[alexrody]

I have a friend in Seoul. She didn't have any family members in the U.S. and just sent
it to an agency www.apostillepros.com and they took care of everything (had it apostille)
for K-immi and sent it back to her via FedEx to Korea.

Photocopy of Degree with Apostille.... OR   Original Degree with Apostille...?

Which is required to transfer from a hakwon to a university
(not a public primary or secondary school) this upcoming August, 2011?

Anyone know? I am hearing all kinds of conflicting information on this issue.

Thanks for any help.

[zzeric]

On a photocopy of the original. FBI check on the original

Photocopy of Degree with Apostille.... OR   Original Degree with Apostille...?

Which is required to transfer from a hakwon to a university
(not a public primary or secondary school) this upcoming August, 2011?

Anyone know? I am hearing all kinds of conflicting information on this issue.

Thanks for any help.

[zzeric]

Also, if you're doing the FBI check, it takes 8-12 weeks. Good luck. The FBI hardly ever pick up the phone.

Photocopy of Degree with Apostille.... OR   Original Degree with Apostille...?

Which is required to transfer from a hakwon to a university
(not a public primary or secondary school) this upcoming August, 2011?

Anyone know? I am hearing all kinds of conflicting information on this issue.

Thanks for any help.

[woman-king]

As far as I know, once you submit a degree (or in this case, a photocopy of it) with an apostille that meets their requirements, you supposedly won't have to do it again, as long as you remain in Korea and transfer to a new job or renew your contract.

Here's another question for anyone: I keep hearing about how they have relaxed the new paperwork rules for people who are transferring their visas in 2011, as long as it is their first transfer since the time of the paperwork requirement change effective on Sept. 1st 2010. Some people who have transferred or renewed (in other words, they aren't newcomers to Korea) have posted that their immigration offices didn't require all of the new paperwork and won't do so until 2012.

Does anyone have any experiences to confirm this?

Yeah, I renewed my ARC a couple months ago and literally, I showed them my passport, my signed new contract, and my ARC card, the immigration guy put a little stamp on the back of my ARC, I paid $30 and that was it.  I went with a Korean co-teacher, which could explain the speed and ease of the process, but I wasn't asked for an Apostilled background check (though I got one) or a new Health/Drug check (though I got one of those too).  I have all the paperwork on file if Immigration asks for it later, which it very well might, but resigning with the same school seems pretty straightforward.  I'd still get all the paperwork newbies are required to have just in case though, my $0.02.

[amywaike]

Are there new rules this year for e2 visa?

As far as I know, once you submit a degree (or in this case, a photocopy of it) with an apostille that meets their requirements, you supposedly won't have to do it again, as long as you remain in Korea and transfer to a new job or renew your contract.

Here's another question for anyone: I keep hearing about how they have relaxed the new paperwork rules for people who are transferring their visas in 2011, as long as it is their first transfer since the time of the paperwork requirement change effective on Sept. 1st 2010. Some people who have transferred or renewed (in other words, they aren't newcomers to Korea) have posted that their immigration offices didn't require all of the new paperwork and won't do so until 2012.

Does anyone have any experiences to confirm this?

Yeah, I renewed my ARC a couple months ago and literally, I showed them my passport, my signed new contract, and my ARC card, the immigration guy put a little stamp on the back of my ARC, I paid $30 and that was it.  I went with a Korean co-teacher, which could explain the speed and ease of the process, but I wasn't asked for an Apostilled background check (though I got one) or a new Health/Drug check (though I got one of those too).  I have all the paperwork on file if Immigration asks for it later, which it very well might, but resigning with the same school seems pretty straightforward.  I'd still get all the paperwork newbies are required to have just in case though, my $0.02.

[naturegirl321]

Supposedly the FBI is doing checks faster this year.  Just get the copy of your degree apostillised.  I got 10 last time I was in the US, cost 20 bucks.  Well worth it.

[gilbert.a.h]

Supposedly the FBI is doing checks faster this year.  Just get the copy of your degree apostillised.  I got 10 last time I was in the US, cost 20 bucks.  Well worth it.

I called the FBI and US Department of State and they both said that they have a record high amount of applications, and they are backed up. That was as of Friday August 19th. The FBI says at least one month and the US Department of State also says at least one month. I turned mine in early June, but I haven't seen or heard anything yet. A nice man picked up the phone at the US Dept of State and he actually was in Korea for some time, so he can help out with that. Don't be scared to call. But do call regulary. I would suggest calling earlier in the day, around 11am their time.

[naturegirl321]

You actually got through?   Wow.  Last year it took me 3 months.  I just sent another one at the end of July.  I don't care how long they take, I planned ahead and have plenty of time.  Supposedly I don't need one, but you know how things change!

The FBI says 6 weeks on their site.  Or they did last time I checked.  I think last year it was 8 to 10.

[elizabethmondok]

When I called last week to check up on my FBI background, they told me 8 weeks. If that's correct, then I only have to wait this week, and I'll get it. *fingers crossed*

Here's a question for all you lovely people... do I actually have to have the FBI background check apostilled in order to get the visa in the first place, or can I get it without?

[JABU NXAU]

I went to immigration yesterday and they told me that next year i will need my degree and criminal background appostillized.

[naturegirl321]

Funny, I've called them and this is what they say.

1.  If you turned in the docs last year, then you don't need to.
2.  If you didn't turn in the docs, then you need to.

Are they changing things?  Again?

[Westke]

So this year you don't need degree apostle for south Korea? What about FBI background check for south Korea?

I went to immigration yesterday and they told me that next year i will need my degree and criminal background appostillized.

[naturegirl321]

Just get it anyways.  Supposedly if you handed it in last year, you don't need it.  For both the CBC and degree.  Things change though.  If you change jobs and handed the docs in last year you still need them.

[plchron]

Yeah, I would hate to have to go through the US apostille and CBC thing again. It gave me a mini ulcer

[naturegirl321]

I'd rather have a mini ulcer than a heart attack if I went to kimmi and was told that I needed stuff that I didn't have.

[saraema]

My friend used them too for her degree and FBI check apostille. She said everything was accepted by K-immi. She's on her way to Seoul now. Hopefully, I can join her in the next few months, then we can be roomie.

I have a friend in Seoul. She didn't have any family members in the U.S. and just sent
it to an agency www.apostillepros.com and they took care of everything (had it apostille)
for K-immi and sent it back to her via FedEx to Korea.

Photocopy of Degree with Apostille.... OR   Original Degree with Apostille...?

Which is required to transfer from a hakwon to a university
(not a public primary or secondary school) this upcoming August, 2011?

Anyone know? I am hearing all kinds of conflicting information on this issue.

Thanks for any help.