By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter

Foreign nationals who work at Korean firms here on E-9 visas will be able to stay for up to three years without extending their visas, and also skip the mandatory one-month absence to renew their contracts for a further two-years of employment starting as early as next year.

In a report to a Cabinet meeting, the Ministry of Government Legislation said related ministries will seek to amend visa regulations on foreign workers in response to complaints that renewing their visas is a waste of time and money.

Under current law, foreign employees invited by Korean companies on E-9 visas can stay here for up to three years by extending his or her visa every year. After three years, they are forced to go overseas for at least one month to renew contracts with their previous firm for two more years.

``The new bill will be tabled at the National Assembly this month and, if approved, will take effect starting early next year,'' the ministry said.

Many workers and Korean employers reacted positively to the amendment, saying it will help reduce the cumbersome tasks involved in both extending and renewing visas.

However, a labor union for foreign workers raised concerns over possible side effects of the rule-change.

``To attract more talented foreigners, Korean employers tend to exaggerate the working environment. Under the new rule, those who sign a three-year contract just believing what Korean employers say will have to work for three years with little chance of changing their workplace,'' said Chung Yong-sup, spokesman for the Migrants' Trade Union.

pss@koreatimes.co.kr