Category: Q & A

Q: I am a foreign student living in Busan and I currently attend a university here in the city. I have been thinking about 휴학, taking a half year off next semester. Can I stay in Korea as a foreign student even after I do 휴학?

A: I am afraid you cannot.

If you are a foreign student here in the country, I believe that you are required to posses a D2-Visa.

Once your school accepts your gap year, your D2 will expire and you will be required to leave the country within 15 days.

If you don’t leave the country within 15 days, there is a possibility that you will be categorized as an ‘undocumented immigrant’.

I don’t think this is something that you want.

But if you are a F-type visa holder, things can be a lot easier.

Even after you do 휴학, you are free to stay in Korea without any restrictions.

I recommend you communicate with someone in your school’s admin’s team.

Q: To make a long story short, I have not had a good night sleep in a long time. I have tried a few brands of sleeping aids, but nothing seems to help. I think I need to go to a doctor to get a prescribed medication. Which type of doctor would prescribe a sleeping medication?

A: Access to sleeping pills in Korea is a little more complicated compared to other countries like the US or Canada because of the strict regulations that come with the specific types of medications.

I recommend you visit either a neurologist or neuro-psychologist.

If the situation is not serious, you can also visit either 내과, a general doctor or 이비인후과 aka ENT.

After you explain what is going on to the doctor, they will write a prescription for you.

Q: The apartment I am currently renting has a broken boiler. Is it my job to have it repaired or should I ask my landlord to fix it?

A: You should bring any issues regarding your apartment to the attention of the landlord, because most of the time it is their responsibility to fix them.

Sometimes, landlords will say, “you handle the problem, send me the receipt, and I will refund you.” This may be convenient for you if your landlord lives far way.

It is easy as a tenant to think that you must fix the problems that arise in your apartment, but many issues are meant to be handled by your landlord. Let me elaborate.

• If the ceiling is leaking, who would be responsible for the repairs?

The landlord! Technically speaking, the apartment that caused the damage (usually the upstairs neighbor) is responsible for that. However, your landlord is responsible for talking to your neighbors.

That’s why you should always bring any damages to the attention of your landlord.

• If your downstairs neighbor finds a leak coming from your apartment, who would be responsible for the repair?

If their ceiling is leaking because you let your water run for hours, then you would be responsible for the repairs. On the other hand, if the source of the problem came from a broken pipe, the landlord should take care of it.

What about this?

• If you want to install a keypad into your door, who would have to pay for that? (도어락 – Koreans usually don’t use metal keys and instead most homes require a password to enter)

You should pay for it. Even if you leave the hardware on the door after moving out, you cannot expect the landlord to reimburse you.

• What about a light bulb?

If you need a new light bulb, you will have to get a new one for yourself.

However, if it is an LED light, you better discuss it with your landlord. When it comes to LED lights, if one burns out, the whole set must be replaced. Some landlords will understand the situation and help, but others would insist that he or she is not responsible for covering a new set.

So, good luck talking to your landlord!

Q: I am currently a married immigrant living in Korea. What should I do if I want to invite my family here?

A: If you want to invite your family to Korea, the first thing you must do is tell them to visit a Korean Embassy or Consulate in their country.

Until recently, visitors could enter Korea without a Visa, but if they wanted to stay longer, they were required to change their visa status from temporary to F1-5 (aka 방문동거) meaning “Dependent Family Visa.”

But last year, things changed. Now your family member will need to visit a Korean Embassy or Consulate first to get an “F1-5” Visa before they can enter Korea.

You can find more information on this website: www.hiKorea.go.kr.

Q: I used to be married to a Korean man, but we recently got divorced. Currently, I am still living in Korea and have custody of the children. If I have a Marriage Migrant Visa, would that be a problem?

A: Since you still have custody and are raising your children full time, there is no problem with you holding a Marriage Migrant Visa.
However, you should change your visa from a F6-1 to a F6-2.
FYI, a F6-1 visa refers the Spouse of a Korean National, while an F6-2 visa refers to a “Child Raising” person.
In order to change your visa status, you should visit Korea Immigration Service Center.
Some of the documents you should prepare include: an application form, passport, alien’s card, a standard photo of yourself (Photo shop owners will know what size picture you should bring).
Other documents you also need include a certificate of Birth (출생 증명서), proof of child rearing, and end of marriage certificate.
The end of marriage certificate can include information such as divorce, missing spouse, or the death of the spouse.
If your children are Korean nationals, you will also need a Basic Certificate (called 기본증명서) as well as Family Relationship Certificate (가족관계 증명서).
If you need any additional help, you can contact the Busan Global Center.

NOTE: If you are having any legal problems regarding your visa, job, marriage, school, etc, don’t hesitate to contact the Busan Global Center. You can visit their website at: http://www.bfic.kr to leave them a message. Or you can talk to a consult directly. Their number is 1577-7716.

Q: Hello my name is 세영, I am Korean and currently living in Busan. However, my boyfriend of three years is not Korean. Long story short, we are now in a long-distance relationship, and we miss each other greatly. I want him to come to Korea and experience the culture, but I don’t know much about visa statuses. Where should I begin?

A: Long distance relationships are not easy in general.

But a long-distance relationship during the pandemic? I couldn’t imagine how hard it must be.

Thank you for the question, 세영씨, but just a heads up.

Since you didn’t include any information regarding where he is from, how old he is, what he does for a living, or how long you want him to stay, it will be difficult to give you detailed information, but I will do my best to assist you.

So, the question is: Does he need a visa to live in Busan?

Yes, but he does not need one if he is staying less than three months since he would just be considered a tourist. If he wishes to stay longer than three months, it is necessary for him to apply for a visa.

What about H-1 Visa, aka a Working Holiday Visa?

Only if he is between 18 and 30 years old and is a citizen of a country that has signed an agreement with South Korea can he receive a Working Holiday Visa.

That includes the USA, Canada, the UK, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Australia and about 20 other countries.

With this visa, he can spend up to a year in South Korea, working, traveling, studying, etc.

But the catch is: jobs for Working Holiday Visa holders are limited to part-time jobs mostly.

If he is looking for a full-time position, he may need to apply for a different visa.

Obtaining a visa is complicated, so I recommend you talk to a consultant at the Busan Global Center for more information.

NOTE: If you are having any legal problems regarding your visa, job, marriage, school, etc, don’t hesitate to contact the Busan Global Center. You can visit their website at: http://www.bfic.kr to leave them a message. Or you can talk to a consult directly. Their number is 1577-7716.

Q: I enjoyed listening to you last week. The information about how to use Busan libraries was very helpful. Can I also get a library membership card even if I am a foreigner?

A: If you are an expat living in Busan and if your address on your alien’s card shows that you are Busan resident, you can get a library membership card.

It’s not difficult at all to apply for this ‘이음’ card.

You can do it at any library in Busan.

It just takes about 5 minutes and the librarians will help you if needed.

If you get a membership card, you can borrow five books at a time for two weeks.

The last Wednesday and Friday of each month are considered ‘Cultural Day’ aka 문화가 있는날.

On those days, you can borrow 10 books at a time.

The best thing about using a public library in Busan is that you can return your borrowed books to any library in the city.

Q: I live in the Nam-gu district, Busan, but can I still use the children’s library in the Suyeong–gu district?

A: Of course you can.

All of the public libraries in Busan are managed under an integrated system, aka 통합 시스템.

That means you can use any library in Busan.

And once you have a 이음카드, you can borrow and return books to any library in Busan.

이음카드 is not a credit card, but instead a library membership card.

You can apply for one at any library in Busan.

In just about 5 minutes you will have your own library card and can begin using the public library system.

Almost every gu-district has a children’s library.

Each one has a wide variety of books including traditional stories, modern fictions and imported English books. Go check them out.

Q: My dental crown fell off recently. I went to my previous dentist, but the practice has a new owner. Can I still get compensation?

Kelly: Generally speaking, if it has been more than a year since you had a crown installed, you do not qualify for a full compensation.

Normally, when a doctor changes locations, they contact their previous patients to notify them of their move.

Or the new doctor will be responsible for old patients.

In your case, if it has been less than a year since having your crown installed, you should qualify for a full compensation or… replacement crown.

You can seek advice from a new doctor or get the contact information for your previous doctor.

Q: I have been living in Korea for almost 10 years. As of now, I am renting an apartment monthly(월세), but I am interested in renting an apartment through the Jeonse system. Can I get a housing loan as a foreigner?

A: So, this person has been living in Korea for a long time, and they understand the concept of “Wolse (월세)” and “Jeonse (전세)”.

But for foreigners who have not been living in Korea for a long time, this ‘Jeonse’ system can be quite odd and unfamiliar.

So let me explain it a little bit.

Wolse월세 is renting a place month by month.

For Jeonse전세, you do not pay rent. But, as a tenant, you must pay a lot of money to a landlord (about 50-70 percent of the actual housing price) before you move in.

Then you sign a two year contract. For those two years, you do not have to pay any monthly fee to a landlord.

Two years after the contract has ended, the deposit is returned to the tenant.

I think a lot of people here in Korea prefer Jeonse (paying a down payment instead of paying a monthly rent) to Wolse, because a tenant can usually receive a housing loan from a bank. Then the tenant only has to pay the interest.

The interest is usually cheaper than the monthly rent, which is why a lot of people want to use this ‘전세’ system.

So, let me go back to your question.

Can you get a housing loan as a foreigner?

Yes, depending on your status and situation, Korea can provide housing loan packages for foreigners.

If you don’t know which bank to visit, ask your realtor for a recommendation.

Your realtor can give you the number of a teller who specializes in housing loans.

The two most commonly used banks that offer housing loans to foreigners are the 국민 Bank and 신한 Bank.

Whether you are an A-type visa holder, D-type visa holder, E type, or F type visa holder, you are eligible for a housing loan.

They will let you know how much you can borrow based on your salary, status, situation, etc.

You can also check if you are eligible for a loan through the bank. Hope that helps!