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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
1. Entry Procedures
A. Registration
a. Registration and Notification of Entry
Foreign students must visit the immigration office (under Justice Ministry) in their jurisdiction within 90 days of entry for alien registration. They also must notify their embassy of their entrance into Korea. Required documents for alien registration are: an application form, valid passport, verification of enrolment at the university, two passport photos (3x4 cm), certificate of foreign student, and fee.
b. Report of Changes in the Student's Information on the Alien Registration Card
In the case of changes in schools, address, name, gender, birth date, nationality, passport number, date of issue, or effective dates, changes in the assigned institution (name change included) for those with D-2 or D-4, or changes in any information on the alien registration card, the student must report to the immigration office within 14 days. Address change can be done at the district office of the student's address. Required documents in the case of changes of school are: an application form, valid passport, alien registration card, and a copy of the letter of acceptance.
c. Foreigners must carry his/her alien registration card at all times
d. Re-issuance of alien registration card
In the case of loss, wearing out, no room for more information, or changes in the information on the card, you can apply for re- issuance of the card within 14 days at the immigration office of your jurisdiction. Required documents are an application form (number 68), a passport photo (colour, 3x4 cm), and fee for a paper stamp.
B. Visa Extension
Students who wish to extend their stay in Korea beyond the period of their visa have to apply for an extension within 2 months before the expiration date at the immigration office or its branch. If they fail to apply before the expiration date, they will be penalized for violation of the regulations of entry and departure. To apply, the student or his/her representative can submit the following required documents at the immigration office (or its branch) of his/her jurisdiction. Required documents are an application form, valid passport, alien registration card, a copy of enrolment certificate (or the student's advisor's letter on the matter when the student cannot get the enrolment certificate from the university), and a certificate of foreign student.
2. Temporary Leave and Re-Entry
A. Temporary Leave
- Students who want to leave Korea temporarily must report to the head of his/her educational institution and submit a report form of temporary departure.
- The leave cannot be more than 30 days at a time except to collect data or references for research, to participate in a conference in the student¡?s area of study, or for other unavoidable reasons. In these cases, the student must get permission from the head of his/her educational institution in advance by submitting valid documents such as an invitation to the conference and his/her advisor¡?s letter on the matter.
B.Re-Entry
- Students who have left Korea and want to re-enter Korea must get permission in the immigration at departure airport or port with an application form, passport, alien registration, and enrolment certificate or advisor's letter on the matter.
- The maximum period of leave for single re-entry is a year, and for multiple re-entry is two years.
- Students who re-entered Korea must report his/her re-entry to the school within 3 days of re-entry.
Students from Surinam, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, Sweden, Swiss, Liechtenstein, France, Finland, and Chile can re-enter Korea without permission of re-entry during their visa period.
3. Entry Procedures at an Airport or Port
A. Filling out Entry Report and Customs Declaration Card
You can get the forms from an attendant on your flight or ship, and fill out the forms. Do not omit any information. For the entry report card, you must write you name, nationality, date of birth, gender, address, occupation, telephone number, passport number, flight or ship number, dates of stay, and purpose of entry, and then sign. In the case of customs declaration card, one form is required for one individual or a family.
B. Passing Through Passport Control
Once you get off a plane or a ship, you have to pass through Immigration or Passport Control. The official at the window will ask you your dates of stay, purpose of visit, place of stay and etc. Short answers should be sufficient. After the interview, the official will return your passport with a stamp which shows your dates of stay and the half of the entry report card, which you should keep.
C. Baggage Claim
After passing through Passport Control, you can recover your checked baggage at baggage claim. Wait for your baggage at the belt under your flight number. If you cannot find your baggage on the belt, talk to an attendant, and show your claim tag.
D. Custom Inspection
After leaving baggage claim, you may be subject to custom's inspection. If you do not have any items to declare, you can follow the green line. In some cases, x-ray or eye inspections may be made. Drugs, guns, explosives, animals and plants are prohibited.
5. Last Minute Preparations
Once you get an acceptance letter from the school, you need to prepare to depart and for school. Make sure that you have a valid passport. Keep a photocopy of your passport and visa, and have passport photos just in case. If your visa expires before the end of your study, you need to get an extension. If you do not extend your visa after the expiration date, you will be an illegal alien. It is best to avoid being recorded as an illegal alien. It is recommendable to arrive in Korea a couple of days before school beginning and to have some time to get ready for school. Make sure that your baggage weight does not exceed the airline limit, which is usually between 20 and 25 kilograms. Check your accommodations before departure.
Don't forget your personal items such as a tooth brush and toothpaste, glasses, contact lenses, family photos, the phone numbers of the people you need to contact in Korea, the addresses of your friends or relatives, a dictionary, transcripts, enrolment certificate from your school, TOEFL score sheet, tuition receipt, international driver's license, passport photos, souvenirs or presents for future use, and other documents.
For more information, please check:
http://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/english/index.jsp