South Korea Cancels Short-term Visas & Halts Entry For 90 Countries
Last week, South Korea announced it would invalidate short term visas for all foreign citizens starting today i.e Monday. Government officials have also decided to briefly suspend visa waiver services for 90 countries that restrict entry to Koreans, following fears of the increased number of overseas coronavirus infections.
According to a joint press release from the foreign and justice ministries, the new regulations are due to come into effect at all the entry points starting from 00:00 on 13 April. Source
With these new regulations, the officials said the number of foreigners entering the country would drop dramatically from about 1,000 to around 300 a day once the new restrictions came into effect.
The government hopes that the controls would remove public fears about imported cases and about the efficient use of quarantine services in the country.
The new rule invalidates short-term visas of up to 90 days issued to foreigners before April 5, with the exception of C-4 visa holders, who are funded by local businesses. Long-term visa holders are not affected by these regulations.
Moreover the government has announced that if anyone has obtained visa after April 5, can reapply for the visa free of cost, once these limitations are taken off. On the other hand, all the foreigners who are currently inside Korea on visit visas, can stay here until the expiry of their visas.
As per the report, ” With the restrictions, the government will cancel 2.35 million short-term visas. People from China will be affected the most with 1.95 million visas set to be canceled, followed by Vietnam with 90,000. ” Source
The government has also halted entry of 90 countries, including 34 countries that had visa-free entry programs with Korea, such as Australia, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Argentina, and 56 countries with visa waiver programs, including most EU countries, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.
Let us know what do you think about these new rule and regulations?
