Update March 2008 : Thanks to Michele for this

Hi..

I have a couple comments on updates.

First, if someone is in Korea, but hasn't ever had an E class visa before, they can have their employer do a credential check that can take from 10-40 days with the Korean Council of Higher Education. Mine cost about 40,000 won for which I had to pay my employer and I had to sign a form allowing them to research my academic file. Once the local immigration office has entered the fact that a successful credential check has been done into the immigration computer system and updates the record, the individual can go to Japan and get the first time E-Class visa without an interview.

As far as costs go at the consulate.. Americans get multiple entry visas for 5400 yen. New Zealanders pay 6000 yen and I think have a single entry. I think Canadians are the same as New Zealanders.

The Korean consulate in Fukuoka can accept passports from 10am to 12pm. and from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. Since time can be an issue depending on when you arrive, taking a taxi to the consulate from the ferry is a possibility although taxis in Japan are QUITE pricey. I think it was 1800 yen for my trip. The busses can take you to Hakata Station or Tenjin Station. At that point, you can either change to another bus, or take the subway. The subway was 200 yen from Tenjin to Tojinmachi or 250 yen from Hakata to Tojinmachi and they are all on the same subway line so no transfers. The bus was 180 yen from the ferry to tenjin and 220 yen to Hakata. The bus transfer to the consulate is about another 220 yen.. so I think taking the subway to Tojinmachi is preferable. Staying in Hakata was fun. We really enjoyed Canal City which is a bit of a walk.. but worth it for the shopping.

The rates at the terminals are a little higher than you quoted. Its now 15,200 won in Busan. And 1700 yen in Fukuoka (paid in two installments.. 1200 when confirming the ferry.. and a 500 yen terminal use fee from a machine.)

On getting around in Busan, the ferry terminal is within a couple blocks of the subway. If you walk out of the ferry terminal to the road, turn left and go to the traffic light, you will see the subway tunnels. Its is one stop to the KTX terminal. It costs 1100 won.. and you are in Zone? 1 but note the machine is picky about its paper dominations. Depending on traffic, the subway can be faster than the taxi. The bus is great when there isn't much traffic. The 900 won was a great bargain in the morning.. but I have missed my train waiting for the shuttle to fill up in the evening.

They told me to bring 14,000 won to immigration to get my Alien registration card. (I'm an American) I know others pay more for the multiple entry privilege which is given to Americans from the get go. I am not sure if that is more than the 50,000 you quoted, but I am sure it is.

I found all your walking directions from the subway quite helpful. I know it's difficult keeping everything updated so I thought I would help you out with some of the current numbers

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Originating document (2007)

1. The Visa Run to Fukuoka
Korean Consulate Fukuoka
Tele:- 092-771-0461

Many teachers go to Japan on the Visa and have the wrong documents, not enough Japanese Yen, plus other problems. Do not go to Japan unprepared. Know the Embassy times - know how long they take to process the papers. Many teachers are caught in Japan for longer than they expect die to being unprepared.

2. Visa Issuance number
Before going to Japan, you must get this number from Immigration. Without it the Korean embassies in Japan will not grant you a visa. Your employer will help you get this in Korea - but it can take from 3 days to 21 days.

2A. If you catch the Ferry from Pusan (it can be fun or it can be pretty rough) you will need a ticket (about 191,000 -240,000 R/T on the Beetle) plus you must buy a Departure Tax Ticket (2,300 Won).

3. Arriving in Japan (Ferry Terminal or Airport)
TIPS. Japanese Immigration seem to be wary of foreigners coming into Japan - they say many come to work illegally. They may quiz you if you say you are on the Visa Run.

Questions they ask: - "How much is the Visa?" = 6,000 Yen or 60,000 Won
.............."Which subway are you going to?" = Tojin Machi
..............""Where are you staying?" = Pays to have an answer

3A. Airline Schedule
Asiana
Seoul Incheon to Fukuoka Daily Depart 11.30 Arrive 12.40
..........................Depart Fukuoka - Incheon 13.45 daily
Pusan to Fukuoka Friday and Sunday 13.50 Arrive 14.40
......................... Depart Fukuoka- Pusan Friday & Sunday 15.40 Arrive 16.35
Costs: Depends on season. 249,000 (Pusan-Fukuoka) (October 2004)

Korean Air.
Seoul Incheon to Fukuoka
KE 787 Depart 08.10 Arrive 09.25 Except Sunday
KE 781 Depart 17.40 Arrive 19.00 Except Tuesday and Friday
Fukuoka to Seoul Incheon
KE 788 Depart 10.30 Arrive 11.55 Except Sunday
KE 782 Depart 20.20 Arrive 21.45 Except Tuesday and Friday

Pusan to Fukuoka
Depart Pusan.... 15.45 Arrive 16.35 Only Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
Depart Fukuoka 17.45 Arrive 18.45 Only Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
Costs: Pusan Flight about 339,100 to 391,000 and the Incheon Flight 421,000 (Plus taxes)

4. Assuming you have got to Tojin Machi Subway Station in Fukuoka.
See Subway map for Fukuoka
You must exit the subway at Exit # 1. This is easy as the signs are in English and say, "Korean Consulate." Walk straight for about 5 minutes. You will pass a shop named LAWSON. As you come to a T Junction you will see on the OPPOSITE side of the road (your left hand side), a COSMO Gas (Petrol) Station.

At the T Junction you can either Turn Right, or cross the road and Turn Right. As you walk down this road (about 5-7 minutes) you will see the DOME in the distance (picture 1 r.h.s. rear) and when you come to the first intersection, you will see a SHELL Gas (Petrol) Station. Opposite Shell you will see Picture 2.
As you walk towards the Korean consulate you can clearly see the Dome on the right hand side further down the road.

Picture 1.

This is what it looks from the other side of the road. The 'give away' is the Korean Flag flying in the Consulate court yard. (center flag pole)

Picture 2.

If you get there between 12.00 and 1.30 this is what you will see. The main gate closed and the pedestrian entrance gate to the left also closed. Hint. Opposite the Consulate is a large shopping centre. Close to the 'Dome end' is a Starbucks. Takes 5 minutes from the Consulate. Relax there while you are waiting.

Picture 3.

5. Documents you Need.
1. Passport
2. Blue form from Korean Immigration (Certificate For Conformation Of Visa Issuance.)
3. One passport photo - don't rely on the machine in the Consulate
4. 6,000 Yen.
5. Fill in the Application Form on the counter in the Consulate

If you give the above to the Consulate at 1.30 p.m., you can return at 10.00 a.m. the next day and get your Passport with visa stamp. Then you have time to go to the Ferry Terminal (tell the taxi driver International terminal) and catch the 12.30 Beetle to Busan.

6. TIPS.
Japanese Immigration seem to be wary of foreigners coming into Japan - they say many come to work illegally. They may quiz you if you say you are on the Visa Run.

Questions they ask: - "How much is the Visa?" = 6,000 Yen or 60,000 Won
........"Which subway are you going to?" = Tojin Machi
........."Where are you staying?" = Pays to have an answer

If you have time after collecting the Visa, visit Canal City. This map shows Bayside (Ferry arrival - the Dome opposite the Korean Consulate - and Canal City.) Either catch the subway 4 stops to Nakasu Kawakata and walk 5 minutes down the River side to Canal City, or catch a taxi Opposite the consulate by Starbucks to Canal City (1,800 Yen) This is a wonderful shopping center - fast food shops, McDonalds, Starbucks, Wendys, KFC, -Japanese restaurants, the Hyatt Hotel, amazing 'dancing water shows' every hour.

7. Leaving Japan via Ferry.
On a dark and rainy and stormy day at the Hakata ferry terminal

Be careful if you catch a taxi to the Ferry Terminal. If you say Harbor Side the Taxi driver will take you to the National Terminal which is some walk to the International terminal.
You must buy a departure Tax ticket as well here from one of the Vending machines = 400 Yen.
On the Beetle you can buy Coffee and a donut for 6,000 Won

Inside the Beetle Jet Ferry

Back in Korea.

Next you must go back to Immigration in Korea to formalize the process. You have up to 90 days to do this but we suggest you do it IMMEDIATELY. (you can apply for your Health Insurance for example with this card)
a) Take 2 passport photos
b) Your employer will give you TWO documents pertaining to the Employer
c) Go to Immigration and Complete the Application Form. (Request for Alien Registration)
d) This is 10,000 Won.
e) You should also complete the Application for Multiple Entry Permission at this time. (Application Form Example) 50,000 Won

This costs 50,000 Won and allows you to come and go for one year. Total Cost (for an E2) 60,000 Won. Finally you will need to return to pick up your Alien Registration Card (ARC). This can take 3-10 days.

For U.S. Citizens see this note from the Embassy in Fukuoka.
I used to work at the American Consulate in Fukuoka.  We sometimes get Americans visiting us to see if we can "rush " their Korean visas .  Sometimes people run into problems because they are expecting next-day service (in by 1:30 pm , out by 10am) but didn' t think that the Korean consulate would be closed on Saturday or Sunday.  A second problem is if the visa applicant didn' t check to see when the Japanese and Korean holidays are.    The Korean consulate is closed on both Japanese and Korean holidays.   A list of the Japanese holidays is found on the US Embassy Japan website.    If a traveler is going to Japan because she has a Korean three-da y weekend, chances are, the Korean Consulate has the same three-day weekend.  The US Consulate (or other foreign consulates) cannot help a traveler get his Korean visa.   Yelling at either the Korean Consul or her American/English/Canadian counterpart may just get you stuck in Japan for a long while.   Best to plan ahead.