April 17, 2024

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South Korea’s Justice Ministry on Nov. 18 unveiled a revised visa policy to ease regulations for foreign workers in the parts, materials and equipment industries as part of ongoing efforts to help the industries that have taken a hit from Seoul’s trade row with Tokyo.

“We have implemented a revised policy for foreign professionals to support the parts, materials and equipment industries struggling from Japan’s trade row and improve national competitiveness,” the ministry said in a press release.

Under the plan, E-7 visa applicants working in the parts, materials and equipment industries who have received recommendations from the Trade Ministry will be eligible to apply for e-visas, the ministry said.

E- visa applicants do not have to visit overseas consulates in person and can file for the application process online. The ministry expected the revised policy to shorten the process to up to one week from the current average of 30 days.

The E-7 visa is usually granted to “foreign nationals of special ability,” or visa applicants “who plan to engage in a field designated by the Minister of Justice for the enhancement of national competitiveness” and who are “foreign workers with professional knowledge or technology in accordance with a contract with a public or private institution,” according to the visa portal run by the immigration service.

The revised policy, meanwhile, includes relaxing document submissions for foreign academics applying for visas to teach or research in Korea.

By Ram Garikipati and newswires (ram@heraldcorp.com)