▲ The controversial online community post
As claims spread mainly across online communities that a Muslim individual who acquired an E-7 (specific activities) visa brought 10 family members to South Korea, the Ministry of Justice has stated that the claims are not true.
The Ministry of Justice explained today (30th) that after conducting a complete inspection of the status of family dependents accompanying foreigners on E-7 visas, only 0.2% of E-7 holders invited five or more family members to Korea, and not a single person has invited 10.
The proportion of E-7 visa holders who invited family members stood at 20.6%, with an average of 1.6 family members brought per person.
Recently, posts claiming that a Bangladeshi national obtained an E-7 visa and brought 10 family members into the country were uploaded on online communities such as DC Inside and FMKorea.
The posts claimed that the individual brought a spouse and nine children and registered them as health insurance dependents.
Following these posts, comments poured in calling for restrictions on foreign Muslim workers inviting their families.
The E-7 visa, commonly referred to as a "work visa," is issued to foreigners engaged in professional fields designated by the Ministry of Justice.
It strictly applies educational and career requirements related to the job.
Family members who can be invited under the accompanying (F-3) qualification by legally long-term resident foreigners, including E-7 visa holders, are limited to legally wedded spouses and minor children.
Parents, siblings, and other relatives are not eligible for invitation.
To invite family members residing in their home country to Korea, applicants must meet income requirements based on the number of household members.
The more family members invited, the higher the income threshold.
As of this year, bringing a spouse and two children requires proving an annual income of approximately 39 million won or more.
The Ministry of Justice stated that the alien registration card, health insurance dependent details, and social media (SNS) posts attached to the controversial post have different sources, and it has not been verified whether they belong to the same person.
(Photo: Captured from FMKorea, Yonhap News)
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