Gov't to expand 'visit reservation system' for foreign residents

SEOUL, Jan. 28 (Yonhap) -- The Justice Ministry said Thursday it has expanded its "visit reservation system" to include more foreign residents in South Korea, effective on Monday, to reduce inconvenience at crowded immigration offices.

The system will be applicable at the nation's six immigration offices in Seoul, Incheon, Suwon and Ansan, where many foreign visitors experience delayed immigration proceedings. The reservation system is now open to Chinese Koreans, international students and workers on E9 visas.

An average of 2,500 foreigners visit the immigration offices per day for alien registration, extension of stay, and other processes.

The "visit reservation system" allows foreign residents to arrange a date and time before visiting an immigration office.

Foreign visitors may go to www.hikorea.go.kr before visiting the immigration offices to make the reservation.

The ministry said if foreigners visit an immigration office without reservation, they may not be able to have their application processed on that day or will have to wait for a long period of time.
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