Foreign Businesspeople Recommended by KEF and KEF to Receive Faster Immigration Processing

Immigration Inspection Procedures to Be Improved
Ministries Aim to Expedite Entry for Foreign Businesspeople
Pilot Program to Launch at Incheon International Airport

Starting at the end of this month, the waiting time for immigration inspection for foreigners visiting South Korea for business purposes will be reduced.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Justice announced that this measure will be implemented beginning on the 31st. Eligible individuals include foreign businesspeople recommended by six organizations: the Korea Enterprises Federation, the Korea Federation of SMEs, the Korea Employers Federation, the Korea International Trade Association, the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, and the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea. The procedures have been improved so that these individuals can enter the country more quickly through dedicated immigration inspection desks.

Currently, South Korean nationals using the automated immigration inspection system spend an average of about two minutes. For manual immigration inspection desks for nationals, the average is five minutes, with a maximum of around 24 minutes. However, most foreigners using manual immigration inspection desks spend an average of 24 to 35 minutes, with some cases taking up to 92 minutes.

Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 Immigration Inspection Desk / Yeongjongdo Photo by Kang Jinhyung aymsdream@

Starting on the 31st and continuing through December of this year, the government will operate a pilot program for the expedited immigration inspection desks at Incheon International Airport. Based on the results, the government will consider expanding the program to other airports such as Gimpo and Gimhae. In the long term, the government plans to improve the inspection system so that general foreign nationals can also use the automated immigration inspection system.

Minister of Justice Jeong Seongho stated, "Through the improved immigration inspection system for foreign businesspeople, we will support the formation of global networks for domestic companies and facilitate active business activities and investment by foreign businesspeople in Korea." Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoonduk added, "We hope this will expand economic exchanges and cooperation opportunities between domestic companies and foreign investors, and ultimately contribute to revitalizing the national economy as a whole."