South Korea, US set to launch joint working group to improve visa system weeks after high profile raid on Korean nationals
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
South Korea and the United States plan to kick off a new joint working group this week to make the US visa process smoother for South Korean workers. The group aims to tackle issues highlighted by a recent immigration raid in Georgia that detained more than 300 Korean nationals.
The first meeting happens Tuesday in Washington, just weeks after that high-profile raid on a factory construction site grabbed global headlines. Those workers faced unclear visa violations and stayed detained for about a week until Seoul and Washington stepped in with diplomatic talks to secure their release.
South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US State Department will lead the effort, with the US Department of Homeland Security and Commerce Department also joining in. With Korean companies ramping up big manufacturing projects across the US, leaders from both sides expect to dive into ways to improve the visa system for South Korean business travelers and workers.
Many of the detained Koreans in Georgia had entered on B1 visas—meant for short business trips like meetings or contract signings—or through the ESTA visa waiver program for quick visits. Officials hope to clarify what counts as “business purposes” under the B1 visa, allowing more flexible use without overhauling the whole system. That could help South Korean businesspeople avoid future headaches.
Sources also mention exploring a dedicated visa desk at the South Korean Embassy in the US to support Korean investors heading stateside. This push comes as ties between the two allies grow stronger through trade and investment. (Yonhap News Agency via )
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