South Korean Embassy shifts visa processing to approved travel companies

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The South Korean Embassy in Uzbekistan has introduced nine new locations for applicants to complete the process for obtaining a South Korean visa. The embassy itself ceased processing visas on Tuesday except for visas for official or diplomatic business trips of state officials and international marriages, which will still be processed at the embassy.

What does the change mean? The embassy selected nine travel agencies in Tashkent and Samarkand to provide processing for South Korean visas in Uzbekistan. Applicants may submit their documents and receive their visa or refusal at eligible travel agencies without visiting the South Korean Embassy. Both the travel companies and the embassy issued visas from Sept. 21 to Oct. 1. Starting Oct. 2, only the travel companies will accept documents and issue visas.

• Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing. The South Korean Embassy ceased providing visa processing Oct. 2.
• Visas/permits affected: All South Korean visas, excluding visas for official or diplomatic business trips of state officials and international marriages, which will still be processed at the embassy.
• Who is affected: Uzbekistan citizens and foreign nationals in Uzbekistan traveling to South Korea.
• Impact on processing: The change may alleviate delays and waiting times experienced at the South Korean Embassy by adding additional locations and dividing service traffic.

Background: The South Korean Embassy in Uzbekistan continues to issue more visas each year, with more than 30,000 issued in the first eight months of 2018 (compared with 36,141 in all of 2017). The increases have caused delays in visa verification and issuance as well as longer waiting times to file documents.

Analysis & Comments: The changes look to mitigate processing times and delays as well as save applicants time and money, particularly if they reside closer to Samarkand and no longer need to travel to Tashkent for an appointment at the embassy. However, delays should be expected as the South Korean Embassy ceases visa processing Oct. 2.

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.