International students at Yeungnam University in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang Province, write traditional calligraphy wishing for good fortune celebrating the start of spring, Feb. 2. Yonhap
International students in Seoul will be spared long lines at immigration offices this month as authorities plan to offer registration services directly on university campuses through an on-site visit program.
The Seoul Immigration Office and its Sejongno branch will visit 27 universities that have large numbers of foreign students from March 9 to April 9, Yonhap News Agency reported Friday.
The measure is intended to reduce crowds at immigration offices, where international students typically gather early in the semester to complete foreign resident registration and other administrative procedures.
Immigration officials will visit campuses to process fingerprint registration and other documents required for foreign resident registration.
The Seoul Immigration Office will visit 19 universities where around 4,000 international students are enrolled, including Seoul National University on March 11, Konkuk University on March 17 and Hanyang University on March 18.
The Sejongno branch will operate similar services at eight universities where about 2,800 foreign students are enrolled, including Dongguk University on March 9, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies on March 10 and Korea University on March 11.
Immigration authorities said the schedules and locations were arranged in advance through consultations with each university.
"The program is expected to help international students who are busy preparing for the new semester," said Ban Jae-yeol, head of the Seoul Immigration Office.
International students who cannot attend the on-campus sessions may visit the dedicated counter for foreign students at the Seoul Immigration Office.
Source: Korea Times News
