Leaving South Korea? Read This First: The Essential Guide to Re-Entry Permits, Exit Bans, and Returning Without Problems
The Question That Sounds Simple—But Isn't "Ate Majella, I'm going home to the Philippines for my sister's wedding. I'll only be away for two weeks and then I'll come right back to Korea. Do I need any special permit before I leave?" At first glance, it seems like an easy question. Most people expect a simple yes or no answer. But after more than 22 years of living in Chungju, I have learned that immigration matters are rarely that simple. Whenever someone asks me this question, my response is always the same. "What visa are you holding right now?" "E-9," they usually reply. "How long have you been in Korea?" "Almost three years." Then comes the question that often leads to silence. "Have you checked whether you need a re-entry permit?" A long pause follows. "Ate Majella... what's a re-entry permit?" And that is where many problems begin. Many foreign workers assume that leaving South Korea i...