State Department Increases Resources to Expedite Business Visas for South Korean Nationals

Effort Aims to Mend Strained Relations After Georgia Immigration Raid

The U.S. State Department announced today that it will allocate additional personnel and funding to speed up the processing of business visas for South Korean citizens. This move comes as part of a broader initiative to restore confidence and strengthen economic ties with South Korea following the controversial immigration raid in Georgia that led to the detention of hundreds of Korean nationals.

Key components of the new plan include:

• Hiring 30 extra consular officers at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul to handle business visa applications.
• Extending the operating hours of the visa interview centers to reduce wait times.
• Launching a dedicated online portal for faster document submission and status tracking.
• Providing targeted outreach to South Korean businesses to clarify visa requirements and procedures.

State Department spokesperson Laura Martinez emphasized that the initiative is “a concrete step toward repairing the diplomatic fallout from the Georgia raid and reaffirming our commitment to a robust U.S.–South Korea partnership.” She added that the enhanced resources are expected to cut processing times by up to 50% within the next six months.

South Korean officials welcomed the announcement. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lee Jong-sup remarked that “swift and efficient visa services are essential for the continued flow of trade, investment, and talent between our two nations.” He also urged the United States to continue addressing the broader concerns raised by the raid.

Analysts note that the increased visa capacity could boost bilateral commerce, especially in technology, manufacturing, and services sectors where South Korean firms have significant U.S. engagements. The move is also seen as a signal that the administration is taking diplomatic repercussions seriously while seeking to maintain a stable business environment for both countries.