With the threat level of the corona-virus recently being upgraded from ‘caution’ to ‘vigilance’, we are relaying you the following information from the Ministry of Justice. The information below outlines our mission to take the necessary preventative measures to fight the risk of further transmission, assist our foreign students during their stay in Korea, and minimize the confusion caused by the sudden change in the academic schedule.

The MOJ’s plan to assist foreign students studying abroad are as follows:

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1.     For students who were planning to study abroad in Korea (Freshmen and continuing students alike)

-       For those who have failed to enter the country within the period of their stay or the validity of the visa, due to the precautionary travel restrictions or recommendation of the university, the following assistance will be provided.

n  If the student should decide to start/reconvene their study abroad after the virus as receded, their visa will be issued with just the Admission Letter, with issuance fees exempted.

n  The university must submit a list of names of the students affected, and evidence to the Immigration office beforehand.

2.     For degree seeking foreign students already in Korea

-       (Postponed Start of the Semester)
For student holding an ARC that expires before 'March 31^st 2020’, the expiration date will be extended to ‘March 31^st 2020’ under the approval of the Director-General if requested by the university. (excluding those holding D-2-8; applicable for students overseas as well)

-       (Other academic calendar adjustments) If another academic schedule is recognized as being adjusted to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, the procedure for granting stay permits, such as an extension of stay period (for the purpose of study) will be evaluated with more flexibility.

 3. For foreign students in language training courses in Korea

 - (Class cancelations) For students whose stay period is close to expiry, but cannot apply for an extension of stay due to class cancellations, an extension to the study period will be provided with the University’s approval and confirmation letter. The extension will include dates in which classes were cancelled in addition to the study period.

 * If the extension period is within the "class cancellation + 10 days" and "make-up class + 10 days," the extension fee will be exempted.

 - (Online lectures) Online lectures are allowed until the threat level is lowered.

-       (Other academic calendar adjustments) If another academic schedule is recognized as being adjusted to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, the procedure for granting stay permits, such as an extension of stay period (for the purpose of study) will be evaluated with more flexibility.

4. Other Means of Support

 - (Special Cases for D-10 Visa Holders) Foreign students who are changing their visa to work-seeker qualification for the first time, will not be held under the score system when being reviewed for the change of qualification.
* Scoring system is not applied for the first 6 months only. If the duration of stay is extended after 6 months, the scoring system is then reapplied.
* This policy will not apply to those who have experience in illegal employment and who are not allowed to change their residence status.

 - (Increased group reception) Group application is allowed if a face-to-face examination is deemed not necessary even for students in lower universities (with the discretion of the Commissioner)

 5. Others

 - For more details of the plan above, please check with the district immigration office (office, travel office) official in charge of overseas students.