Ministry of Justice Automatically Extends Foreigners' Stay Period... Targeting 136,000 People Approaching Expiration

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The Ministry of Justice announced on the 24th that it has collectively extended the stay period of approximately 136,000 registered foreigners whose visas are about to expire until April 30th, in order to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Accordingly, registered foreigners whose stay period expires between today and April 29th will have their period automatically extended, and there is no need to visit immigration offices or the Korea Immigration Service.

The Ministry of Justice explained the background by stating, "It is necessary to actively block the spread of infectious diseases by minimizing visits to public institutions for extending the stay period within the country."

Foreigners with non-professional employment (E-9) and seafarer employment (E-10) visa statuses, which are difficult to extend ex officio by the Ministry of Justice under relevant laws, are excluded. Those engaged in hotel and entertainment businesses (E-6-2), visiting employment (H-2) compatriots and their accompanying family members (F-1-11), and parents of marriage immigrants (F-1-5) will have their stay periods extended within the legally permissible period. The Ministry of Justice urges foreigners with non-professional and seafarer employment visa statuses to actively utilize online applications or employer-submitted applications.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.