Consulate General of the Republic of Korea — Local services in New York

We were here yesterday and it was a very good experience. 2 days before coming I prepared the documents based on a checklist I found online. I know how frustrating it is to come to an embassy and be told that we did not have everything. So I prepared my family and I for that. As it turned out, the list I found online was complete. So documents wise, we were all good. Now, we DID NOT HAVE THE PASSPORT photo. Yup. So, don't do that.

However, the receptionist of the building who was at the lobby suggested 888Camera and Souvenir shop which is located in 55th Street and Lexington. We went there, had our photos and still got back in time (4pm on a Wednesday) for one of the consul to see us. The consul was like any other consul we've met. She was there to review our paper and make sure it was authentic. It really helps to be organized and prepared. Always have what you know will be asked for. Don't go and hope they won't ask for it.

Upon reviewing our papers, she explained that we did not need visas to visit Korea for 4 days because of the following conditions: We are US residents. We have plane tickets that showed we are only stopping over in Korea for a few days and our final destination is really our home country. Our eticket even showed a round trip from JFK to our home country and back, both times stopping by Korea coz we are flying with Korean Air.

So the consul gave us back ALL OUR DOCUMENTS, (which I did not have good sleep preparing for the past two nights but that's okay) plus a paper explaining why we did not need visas (I actually read it online but I wasn't sure I was interpreting it correctly). My husband then asked for another copy just in case we will be asked to support why we don't have visas when we arrive in Korea next month.

For some what happened to us could be considered a waste of time but to us, it's better to really hear personally why we don't need visas anymore. I hope this review will...

Unfortunately, we met the same security lady in the photo from the previous review. I was in line and I could tell she completely looks down on all the visiting elderly who she assumes cannot speak English and yells at people to read signs. My mom thought it was her turn to go in and did not 'stand against the wall' right away so she made fun of my mom and when she moved up against the wall, the guard mocked her and said 'I'm glad you understand that.'

We were very uncomfortable with this behavior and I gave her some attitude. When my mom asked to go to the bathroom, she said mockingly 'Enjoy the bathroom!' I simply watched all this behavior from afar.

Later, I saw my mom walk out past the security guard, and since she didn't want the guard to yell at her or mock her again, my mom asked if she can go out past the exit. The guard was on her bluetooth phone, did not look at my mom, then gave a hand gesture to go out. Then she did some strange behavior and slicked her hair back and when I said that she is being rude, she still did not look at me and gave me a peace sign in the air. I did not know middle schoolers can be a security guard at the consulate, but I guess it is unfortunate.

I was extremely outraged at this rude, immature behavior and tried to talk to her but she would not listen and said we were rude to her first. When I asked why she is so rude to us, she suddenly told me that she is Filipino, I guess trying to imply that she would not look down on Asians. I asked another guard and the guard said that she is not Filipino. Cool.

Regardless, I think we can all see on previous reviews who was rude and looking down on people first. Hopefully one day, security guards will be replaced with AI - at least they won't be sassy and immature and give peace signs...

Last year, they informed me that foreigners with US PR don’t need a visa to Korea if it’s just a transit purpose. So we didn’t apply for any visa. We got refused for the boarding pass at JFK the airport and we wasted 2 flight tickets. We needed a visa for transit. It turned out that they provided pre-covid information with us…

This year, we arranged the actual trip to Korea. We were trying to make the appointment for visa, but it was nearly impossible. They told me to keep visiting the website every Monday morning, since they open new slots every Monday. But they also said that they don’t have any specific time for the opening…. So I had to refresh the website for 2-3 hours.. I was able to find a slot finally. But when I went to the appointment, it was pretty much just a drop-off. The teller at the desk doesn’t even speak proper English and didn’t ask any questions. She had zero communication skills. Eventually, we were able to get the visa and had a good time in Korea. But this embassy experience was just going through hell. I am not sure why they don’t allow people to drop off or mail the packages. Also while I was looking for the appointment slots, I found out that Philly office has so many empty slots but they don’t allow NY/NJ residents to go there. They are just losing potential foreign tourists. Horrible horrible strategy. If you guys have a hard time for booking, you might as well just change the destination to Japan. The Japanese embassy allows people to mail the visa applications and even online application. These people are totally incompetent and worse than...