U.S. Eases Visa Rules for South Korean Workers Amid Investment Push
Washington, D.C. – The United States has agreed to make it easier for South Korean workers to come to America on short-term visas to help build factories and other industrial sites, according to officials in Seoul.
This decision comes after a group of South Korean workers were temporarily detained in Georgia during an immigration check at a battery factory being built for Hyundai. The incident raised concerns in South Korea, a strong American ally that has promised to invest heavily in the U.S.
South Korean companies have been relying on short-term visas and a visa waiver program to send workers to the U.S. to set up manufacturing plants.
After talks between U.S. and South Korean officials, the U.S. has confirmed that South Korean companies can continue to use these short-term visas to send workers to install, service, and repair equipment for their projects in the United States.
While South Korea has asked for a new visa category to allow more skilled workers into the U.S., American officials said that major changes to the visa system would be difficult due to current laws. This agreement reflects the importance of the U.S.-South Korea relationship and the continued investment by South Korean companies in the American economy, creating jobs and opportunities for American workers.
