Visa rules to be eased

Korea will ease regulations for international schools and colleges opening campuses in the country and simplify visa procedures for foreign students, the Education Ministry said yesterday.

Foreign schools will be allowed to open Korean branches when they meet the requirements of their home countries, according to the ministry. Korea previously required that foreign schools meet local standards as well.

The relaxed regulations are expected to encourage smaller schools to open campuses in the country, according to ministry officials.

The ministry said it will simplify visa requirements for foreign students, allowing those enrolled in language programs to stay in the country during the three-month transitional gap prior to enrolling in Korean universities.

Currently, foreign students who complete language courses that usually end in December must register for another course or leave the country before the school year officially begins in March.

Officials said the measures are aimed to increase the number of foreign students to 100,000 by 2012.

The number of students in Korea from overseas was about 75,850 by the end of last year.

Yonhap