IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? South Korea has mandated that foreign nationals from 16 additional countries undergo mandatory tuberculosis testing in order to secure long-term visas.

What does the change mean? Foreign nationals from Angola, Azerbaijan, Belarus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Moldova, Mozambique, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Peru, South Africa, Ukraine, Tajikistan and Zimbabwe are now required to undergo mandatory screening for tuberculosis to prove they are free of the disease in order to obtain a long-term visa.

  • Implementation time frame: Ongoing from April 1.
  • Visas/permits affected: Visas used by foreign nationals from the 16 additional countries for long-term stays in South Korea.
  • Who is affected: Foreign nationals from the 16 countries listed above.
  • Business impact: The TB screening requirement will add another step to the work-authorized visa application process.
  • Next steps: Employers should expect that employees who are foreign nationals from the 16 additional countries intending to enter South Korea on a long-term visa will be subject to TB screening.

Additional information: Children under six, pregnant women, diplomats (A-1 visas), officials (A-2 visa) and A-3 visa holders are exempted. Foreign nationals from the 16 additional countries who entered South Korea on long-term visas before April 1 must submit a TB certificate when applying for an Alien Registration Card. The new requirement has expanded the list of foreign high-risk TB countries from 19 to 35.

Analysis & Comments: The tuberculosis testing requirement adds an additional step to applying for mid- and long-term visas in South Korea, requiring extra time to complete the visa process for affected foreign nationals.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.