RE: stds-802-16: Session #21 info
Roger
On the visa pages linked from your Meeting #21 web page, e.g.
http://www.mofat.go.kr/en/visa/e_visa.mof
1. Visitors who plan to stay in Korea for longer than 90 days must obtain
visas before entering Korea.
2. Nationals of those countries which have visa waiver agreement with Korea
can enter without visas, on the condition that they should not engage in
remunerative activities during their stay in Korea.
( Canadians can also enter the Republic of Korea without visas for a stay of
up to six months ).
.....
It's possible that "tourists or visitors .. " could be defined as "should
not engage in remunerative activities ..." which might cover attendance at
conferences / conventions, especially at "tourist" resorts. The key is
probably that you are not trying to sell anything in Korea, or negotiate
contracts, or work (for payment) for anyone in Korea or be paid by anyone in
Korea. (This would be analogous to the interrogations which I sometimes
receive when entering the USA).
In my guess, visiting a tourist resort for one work to participate in a
technical conference (without being a paid or named speaker) would not
constitute a "business" purpose. Conventions and conferences are typically
regarded as part of the "tourism" industry.
However, like you, I suggest that people talk to the Korean embassy /
consulate in there own country based on there own citizenship / nationality
/ situation.
David Trinkwon
Email : Trinkwon@compuserve.com
USA Tel : 650 245 5650 Fax : 650 649 2728
UK Tel : +44 (0)7802 538315 Fax : +44 (0)20 7504 3586
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-stds-802-16@majordomo.ieee.org
[mailto:owner-stds-802-16@majordomo.ieee.org]On Behalf Of Roger B. Marks
Sent: Saturday, July 20, 2002 6:19 AM
To: stds-802-16@ieee.org
Subject: stds-802-16: Session #21 info
I am still working with Panyuh Joo, the host of Session #21, to finalize the
hotel and meeting registration plans. I will provide the information as soon
as I have it.
I have also been spending a lot of time trying to clarify the visa
situation. I still don't have a clear answer. At the bottom of the Session
#21 page <http://ieee802.org/16/meetings/mtg21>, I've posted some visa
information I've turned up. Here is the bottom line, so far:
*With the exception of nationals of certain named countries, "Visitors for
sightseeing or transit with confirmed outbound tickets may stay in Korea up
to 30 days without visas."
*Nationals of many countries may stay up to three months without a visa.
Many countries with 802.16 members are on the list. However, the U.S. and
Canada are not.
*For those not on the list, the critical question is how the purpose of the
visit is defined. The Korean Embassy in the U.S. is a little more explicit
about its terms:
"You may enter Korea without a visa for a stay up to 30 days or less for
tourism, visiting, or transit to another country when carrying a valid US
passport... When traveling for more than 30 days, or for any other purpose
than tourism, visiting, or transit, a visa must be obtained prior to entry."
My guess is that attending the 802.16 session falls under the category of
"visiting", but I don't want anyone to get into trouble.
If anyone can provide any clarification on this issue, I'd like to hear it.
Roger