South Korea introduces new visa rule; Nepali Embassy issues notice

SEOUL : The Law Ministry of South Korea has introduced a new visa rule for foreign citizens in the country.

According to the rule, visa extension will now apply to only valid passports— the passport which has not expired and has a valid date.

A communication note about the new rule was also sent to the Nepali Embassy in South Korea.

The communication says that a passport must have a valid date for visa extension. Based on communications from the Law Ministry, the Nepali Embassy has also issued a notice to all Nepalis living in South Korea.

The new law will be of special concern for Nepali workers currently in South Korea under the Employment Permit System (EPS). The workers who arrive in South Korea under the EPS have a three-year contract under the E9 VISA and can extend it for one year ten months after the end of the contract. But as per the new rule, if the passport has expired, the person does not get a visa extension.

The new rule comes into effect on July 1.

Those unable to renew their passport will get a visa extension until December 2021.

Passports of 16,130 foreign citizens currently in South Korea expired in 2020, according to the Ministry. The Law Ministry believes that the new rule would help in managing records of foreign citizens in the country.

Following renewal of their passport, foreigners are required to contact the nearest Immigration Office within 15 days to avoid penalty.