Monday, December 31, 2007

U.S. Embassy addresses misinformation about the E-2 regulations.

A recent e-mail from the U.S. Embassy addressed the new E-2 visa regulations. Although they were to have taken effect over two weeks ago, apparently the Korean government still has no idea what it's doing. Two amusing/frustrating paragraphs (emphasis mine):
Regrettably, the Korea Immigration Service (KIS) has placed incorrect information on its website concerning services U.S. embassies can and cannot perform. As of this writing the "New Release: Mandatory Requirements of Criminal Background Check and Health Certificate" on the KIS website contains incorrect information about the length of time it can take to get a criminal records check in the U.S. and also states erroneously that the U.S. Embassy can notarize or certify background checks. We have asked that the incorrect information be removed from the KIS website and we regret any inconvenience or misunderstanding that has resulted from their explanation of our services.

As we receive updated information on the Korean visa requirements, we will post it on our website. The U.S. Embassy website will also continue to be the best source of information about the services that we are able to provide under U.S. law and regulation.

You can find more information from the U.S. Embassy on its website. There is still disinformation and confusion all around, including from the newspapers and from my provincial education office. Seems the best course of action for now is to wait it out, rather than jumping through all kinds of hoops that may be unnecessary or impossible. I still find all these measures reactionary, discriminatory, and xenophobic, but that should go without saying.

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