Ministry of Justice Grants Long-Term Stay Status Allowing Employment to Afghan Special Entrants

Step-by-step Domestic Stay Status Granting... Initiation of Amendment to the 'Immigration Control Act Enforcement Decree'

Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye is briefing on the transfer of Afghan collaborators and their families to Korea at Incheon Airport on the 26th. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The government has decided to grant Afghan nationals who entered Korea with special merit status a residence permit (F-2) that allows free employment. Initially, a short-term visit (C-3) arrival visa will be issued, and then through legal amendments, support will be provided for their self-reliant life in Korea by allowing them to stay continuously.

On the 26th, Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye announced the detailed measures regarding the "residence measures for special Afghan entrants" at Incheon International Airport.

At the event, Minister Park said, "We can never abandon our Afghan friends who helped the Republic of Korea," and added, "The government will accept local collaborators who worked with our government in Afghanistan and their families."

The Afghans who arrived that day were people who had worked at the embassy, KOICA, Korean hospitals, Korean vocational training centers, and Korean bases. Minister Park explained, "After numerous discussions and considerations, the government made the decision to accept special entrants," and added, "Advanced countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia, which operated in Afghanistan, have already evacuated their collaborators." He further stated, "We also need to fulfill our responsibilities in accordance with the status of the Republic of Korea in the international community."

The Ministry of Justice plans to grant them domestic residence status in stages. First, upon entry, a short-term visit (C-3) arrival visa will be issued at the airport, and then their status will be changed to a residence permit (F-1) that allows long-term stay to provide stable residence status.

After the temporary living phase, they will be granted a residence permit (F-2) that allows free employment to support independent living. However, to grant this status, legal amendments are necessary, and the Ministry has begun revising the "Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Control Act" to allow the F-2 residence permit to be given to "foreigners who have made special contributions to the Republic of Korea or contributed to the promotion of public interest."

Minister Park emphasized, "I believe the public will have various concerns, so we are taking thorough precautions." Considering this, the Ministry of Justice will conduct PCR tests upon entry and two more tests during the quarantine period after arrival. Medical staff (4 doctors and 6 nurses) will be stationed at the temporary living facility in Jincheon (Government Officials Training Institute) during the quarantine period, and 40 Ministry of Justice employees with expertise in foreign affairs will also be dispatched.

Minister Park expressed, "I deeply thank the residents of Chungbuk Province and the citizens of Jincheon and Eumseong who have agreed to warmly welcome our Afghan friends," and added, "I ask for the deep understanding and support of the public so that we can show the inclusive and loyal image of the Republic of Korea."

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