Tourist Visa -> Student Visa in Seoul possible?

[donut87]

Hello everybody,

I've got again an important question.
Is it possible to leave Japan and switch from a student visa to a student visa in Seoul, South Korea?
I always thought it is possible, but some ppl told me it wouldn't be possible for most Europeans...?
I'm an Italian, but I live and reside in Germany.

Thanks for reading,
donut

 

[Glenski]

Just follow whatever regulations there are for Korean student visas. Have you looked?
How to Obtain a Korean Student Visa | eHow.com
Information-detail
Information-detail

By the way, your subject line talks about changing from tourist visa to student visa, but your post describes changing from a student visa. Which is it? Confusing.

 

[donut87]

Thanks for the reply Glenski.

I'm sorry for causing confusion. I want to obtain a Japanese student visa in Seoul. Therefore I'm trying to switch from a tourist visa to a student visa. Afaik it is necessary to leave Japan in order to obtain my student visa in a Japanese embassy outside Japan. I'll have to enter Japan earlier with a tourist visa, because I have some things to do there before school starts.

I hope I could make it clear, please let me know if you need any further information. The Japanese embassy in Germany gave me already once false information, that's why I'm trying to find out the truth in here.

 

[Mike Cash]

We seldom have more authoritative information than the embassies do.

 

[donut87]

But I assume on this forum there might be maybe someone who was/is in the same situation like me and wants to share the experience.
Nevertheless I should try to call the immigratin office in Tokyo, true.

 

[Glenski]

I would say confirm with immigration. As far as I know (and it is only speculation based on being here a long time, but not knowing anyone who came as a tourist and switched to a student visa), you can apply for the student visa while in Japan.

However, the first thing that must happen is that you must be accepted by a school. Have you?

 

[donut87]

I applied for it, hand in all forms and copies I had to. The employee told me the chance to get accepted in my case would be good.
Of course it can be denied because of any reasons (I wouldn't know which ones) but well, I hope they will accept me.

It'd be comfy if I could switch directly in Japan. Well, let's see what the immigration office will tell me tmr.

 

[Glenski]

So, you have been accepted to the school already, then, haven't you?

 

[donut87]

Not yet. My school did already send all papers to the immigration bureau, now they're waiting for the papers/green light for letting me get the student visa.

 

[Glenski]

Seems odd that they would send in paperwork for immigration without even accepting you. Look here to see that that paperwork had better include a "certificate of admission":
Immigration Procedures Guidebook

 

[donut87]

Hey Glen,

yes, I filled out correctly a certificate for admission + various others like Guarantee Information form, statement of financial support, personal info applications + hand in a id-photo + copies of passport/id. Actually they didn't officially say "you're in", because they have to wait for the okay of the immigration office. i don't know if this is the standard procedure, but i guess so.

actually i called to the immigration office, but the employee's English was not good enough to understand my concern, she tried to help me, but well, didn't work out so well. anyway, my gf will try it in Japanese for me asap.