One-Stop Immigration Support for Entrepreneurs... Comprehensive Support Center Opens

On the 22nd of last month, businesspeople and expatriate families heading to Vietnam were completing boarding procedures at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport. / Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, together with the Korea International Trade Association and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, opened the 'Comprehensive Support Center for Businesspeople's Entry and Exit' on the first floor of COEX in Samseong-dong on the 13th.

The center provides information on overseas entry and exit measures by country, including countries with temporarily suspended visa waiver agreements.

It connects to PCR testing hospitals for confirming negative results for COVID-19 to utilize the China Fast Track System and the United Arab Emirates Rapid Entry System.

The center also offers consultations regarding post-entry self-quarantine requirements and conducts surveys and operations for charter flight demand.

An official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated, "We plan to handle everything from demand discovery to charter flight contracts in a one-stop manner by closely cooperating with related ministries, economic organizations, affiliated institutions, and domestic airlines, addressing the biggest difficulty faced by small and medium-sized businesspeople in using charter flights."

The center is staffed by 11 personnel, including dispatched employees from the Korea International Trade Association, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and call center staff, who provide consultations.

Consultations are available daily (except holidays) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. via phone or email.

The center will operate until the end of this year, after which the decision to extend operations will be made considering the global COVID-19 situation.

Minister Sung Yun-mo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said in his congratulatory remarks, "The cross-border movement of our businesspeople is an important factor not only in improving individual corporate management activities but also in facilitating the rapid recovery of our overall economy," and added, "I hope the Comprehensive Support Center will take the lead in special charter flight use and that related ministries and affiliated institutions will actively cooperate."