Korea to restrict visa extension for foreigners not paying taxes

South Korean government said Wednesday that it would run a six-month pilot project to restrict foreign residents who fail to pay local taxes from extending residency visas.

The Justice Ministry and Home Affairs Ministry have partnered to share foreign residents’ tax information and collect unpaid taxes totaling 74 billion won ($64 million) as of April.

According to the Immigration Act, the government can revoke or change the visa status of foreigners who violate local laws.

The government will run the pilot project in the Immigration Office’s Ansan branch, managing some 87,000 foreign residents, from May 2 to December 31. The scheme will be expanded to other branches across the nation starting from 2017.

(laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)