"'Trump 2nd Term' Makes Korean Visa Legislation Difficult... Government and Corporate Consortium Needed" [US Investment Companies' 'Visa' Obstacle⑧]

Interview with Kim Ji-sun, CEO of Immigration Law Firm Daeyang

"Samsung and Other US Investment Companies Must Actively Address Visa Issues"

In order to support the legislation of the 'Korean Partner Act' in the United States, which establishes a new professional visa for Koreans called 'E-4' and issues 15,000 visas annually, opinions have been raised on the need to form a 'Visa Consortium' where the government, companies, and economic organizations cooperate.

Kim Ji-sun, CEO of immigration law firm Daeyang, is speaking about the Trump administration's immigration policies and visa issues in an interview with Asia Economy at the office in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by Heo Young-han

Kim Ji-seon, CEO of Immigration Law Firm Daeyang, recently stated in an interview with Asia Economy, "A consortium involving government ministries such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM), large corporations, and visa-specialized firms should be formed to systematically persuade the U.S. Congress to introduce legislation or a similar pilot program for issuing E-4 visas."

She advised that special attention is needed from Korean conglomerates such as Samsung, SK, Hyundai Motor, LG, Lotte, and Hanwha, which have invested tens to hundreds of trillions of won in the U.S., because the requirements for professional visa issuance are likely to be tightened under the second Trump administration. This is due to the Trump administration’s increased likelihood of strengthening visa issuance regulations citing issues such as criminal records of partner company employees, fraud, and birth tourism.

Additionally, Kim emphasized the importance of the Senate in the legislative process. She advised, "Since opposition from the Senate is the biggest obstacle, the consortium should conduct systematic lobbying activities in the order of 'Former Members of Congress (FMC) → House of Representatives → Senate.'"

She added, "For the successful legislation of the Korean Partner Act, it would be effective to propose ideas such as including provisions that specify stay duration limits and require visa holders to return to their Korean headquarters once the visa period ends when U.S. Congress members introduce the bill."

Kim urged Korean companies investing in the U.S., including Samsung, SK, Hyundai Motor, LG, Lotte, and Hanwha, to actively address the issue of visa issuance for partner company employees. She said, "When negotiating with the Trump administration and Congress, it is important to present concrete figures on the expected economic effects upon the completion of U.S. factories." She also stressed, "Large corporations must never forget that the first step in business is the 'visa.'"

Kim Ji-seon is the founder of Immigration Law Firm Daeyang and a visa expert officially active as a member of the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) and AMCHAM. Daeyang holds the largest number of U.S. attorneys (six) among immigration law firms in Korea. Furthermore, it is the only firm in the industry that is an official member of both KITA and AMCHAM.