Phone Number: |
Non-emergency inquiries: 82-2-397-4040 DSN: 721-4040
Emergency inquiries: 82-2-397-4114 DSN: 721-4114
Phone inquiries: 09:00-11:15 am, Monday to Friday |
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E-Mail: |
seouliv@state.gov |
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Address: |
International Mailing Address:
U.S. Embassy
Consular Section
188 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu,
Seoul, Korea 110-710
U.S. Mailing Address:
U.S. Embassy Seoul
Consular Section
Unit #15550
APO AP 96205-5550 |
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Working Hours: |
Interviews: Intake begins at 8 am (from 5 October 2009)
ACS Hours of Operation (appointment only):
8:45-11:15 am, Monday to Friday
1:00-3:00 pm, Monday to Friday except Wednesday |
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Best Contact Method: |
Phone, if you can get through
Once your I-130 goes through, it's best to contact them by email. You get help a lot faster that way. |
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Approx Waiting Time for Interview After Consulate Recieves
NVC Package: |
One month on average; stated minimum is two weeks, but can be expedited if you are persistent |
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Issues Packet 3? |
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Packet 3 Contains: |
ePacket 3.5 for Fiance: http://asktheconsul.org/pkt3k1.html
ePacket 3.5 for IR-1/CR-1: http://asktheconsul.org/pkt3ir_f.html |
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Issues Packet 4? |
Yes |
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Packet 4 Contents (if known): |
Issued by email only, contents as follows:
# Appointment letter (Print and bring to embassy for admission on day of interview)
# SEO-13: IMMIGRANT (IV), FIANCE, LIFE ACT VISA APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
# SEO-201: Document Checklist (same as Packet 3) |
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Forms to Consulate? |
# DS-230 Part I: Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration (return by fax)
# Interview Appointment Request (submit online at http://www.asktheconsul.org/iv_appt.html ) |
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Other Forms (if any)? |
All forms are included in ePacket 3.5 except Courier Label/Receipt (completed at embassy on day of interview) |
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Direct Consular Filing Offered? |
Yes |
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If DCF Allowed: For all or only US citizen lawfully resident in country?
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Residents_Only |
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Can fiance(e)/spouse attend interview? |
Yes |
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Visa fee payment "same day" or "in advance"? |
Advance |
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Did embassy schedule interview or could you walk-in? |
Embassy Scheduled |
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Visa issued same day? |
No |
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If not what's the waiting period? |
Visas returned by courier within 5 working days |
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Is the Medical exam same day as interview? |
Prior to Interview |
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Cost of Medical Exam? |
170,000 won + vaccinations (my husband had MMR and TDaP vaccinations given and paid 190,000 total)
Allow 5 working days for results to be completed after the medical is done. |
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List of doctors? |
# Saint Mary's Hospital: Phone 02-3779-1521, 62 Yeouido-Dong, Youngdeungpo-Gu, Seoul
# Yonsei Severance Hospital: Phone 02-2228-5808/9, 134 Shinchon-Dong, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul
# Haeundae Paik Hospital: Phone 051-797-0369, 1435 Jwa-Dong Haeundae-Gu, Pusan |
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How many Passport Photo's Required for the medical? |
3 |
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How many Passport Photo's Required at the interview? |
2 |
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Estimated waiting time at the consulate on the day of interview? |
Total time from intake to interview was approximately 2 hours |
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Vaccination requirements? |
I wanted to add the information that Yonsei Severance will do Saturday exams! You must call their Visa Section and make an appointment to do so (no walk ins) but it is possible. My husband was also required to get four vaccinations, even though he had a partial vaccination record, so be prepared for that. The staff is indeed very helpful and were in touch with us before and after the exam to make sure we knew what was happening. Everyone in the Visa section speaks good English. We had to pay 190 for the exam and an additional 50 for the four vaccinations. We were in and out in 90 minutes.
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Yes, vaccines are provided during medical examination
Information on Yonsei Severance Hospital: Highly recommend this location, especially if you don't speak Korean. Staff very friendly and helpful. Appointments for the medical are Monday-Friday and are on a first-come-first-serve basis. They start the appointments at 9:30, but if you get there a little before that you can be seen right away.
If you bring the medical check paper issued to you in Packet 3 you can show it to one of the many security guards in the main hospital building (it's at the top of the hill) and they will walk you over to the international wing, it's a VERY big hospital. Takes about 2 hours (if they're busy). Chest x-ray, blood test, general physical, blood pressure, vaccinations are based on your age, country of origin and if you have your shot record with you. *Don't panic if you don't have a shot record, a lot of people don't.* (My husband had no shot record and was only given two vaccinations, the MMR and TDap)
We really liked this hospital because they have people who will actually walk you from station to station to get things done. Staff can also speak Korean and Russian.
They will mail the test results to you (takes about a week) but it's good to have your address written out in Korean to make it easier. They also gave the option of coming to pick the results up in person. They'll call you if there's something amiss with your results.
Nice waiting room, comfy couch which is good because spouses aren't allowed to go with you when you get your x-ray, physical, etc. Good luck, everybody!
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Cheap and good hotels near the Consulate? |
Motel Sarangbang:
http://www.agoda.com/asia/south_korea/seoul/hotel_sarangbang.html
(Booked on Agoda for $50)
It's located in the heart of Insadong, a great place to walk around and buy traditional wares. The walk to the Embassy was about 10-12 mins with a preschooler in tow, probably faster without! It's right around the corner from Anguk station (Seoul Metro Line 3). Plenty of amenities for a budget motel - chargers for electronics, HD TV, a PC in the room, hairdryer, straightening iron. It was small and cozy but totally perfect. |
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Additional Info? |
See the US Embassy blog for a great version of the Korean National Police Certificate translation:
http://usembassyseoulvisas.wordpress.com/2011/11/16/save-time-bring-the-right-korean-police-certificate/
Translation of Korean National Police Certificate:CRIMINAL AND INVESTIGATION HISTORY
Date:
Document No. (this number should be on your pcc form,mine was 708)
Receiver: (your name)
Subject: Criminal and Investigation History Including Expunged Record
□ Subject of an Inquiry
Name*** Sex **** Date of Birth **** Extent of Requested Inquiry Requested Inquiry in Criminal Career and Investigation History Including Expunged Record Address ****
□ Result of Inquiry
Serial Number
Date of Arrest/
Responsible Agency for Arrest Name of offenseDate of Clearance/
Responsible Agency for ClearanceComment***Applicable Data: none***
※ Pursuant to the law of pertaining to the lapse of Sentence etc - Section 10.2·3, maximum two years of imprisonment or maximum twenty million wons of fine if charged, in case of acquiring or using the results other than purposes specified in the law.
Chief of (write the city you got it from,mine was jongno) Police Department |
