South Korea and the United States launched the Korean Investment and Travel Desk at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul to streamline visa procedures for Korean investors, following the detention of over 300 Korean workers in a Georgia immigration raid. The initiative aims to clarify visa rules and reduce entry uncertainties for skilled employees. Subcontractors will now apply through prime contractors like Samsung and SK.
On December 5, 2025, the Korean Investment and Travel (KIT) Desk officially launched at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, aimed at easing visa processes for Korean companies investing in the United States. This follows the shocking detention and release of more than 300 Korean workers during an immigration sweep in Georgia, which highlighted ambiguities in the U.S. work visa system.
The KIT Desk, trialed since October, involves collaboration among U.S. agencies including the State Department, Department of Homeland Security, and Customs and Border Protection. The U.S. has assigned additional staff to handle visa matters exclusively. Subcontractors of major Korean firms like Samsung, SK, LG, and Hanwha can now apply for employee work visas through prime contractors, speeding up issuance and avoiding past delays or denials.
For B1 business visas issued to South Koreans, annotations detailing visit purposes, project names, and workplace locations will be attached. A foreign ministry official stated, "This will also help minimize risks of denial of entry." This annotation practice is unprecedented for a specific country and is expected to boost visa reliability.
The U.S. Embassy released a fact sheet outlining eligible activities under B1 visas and the ESTA visa waiver for short stays. Many detained workers had entered on these visas, prompting Korean firms to demand clearer criteria.
South Korea's U.S. diplomatic missions will coordinate with U.S. customs in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Atlanta—key areas for Korean business—to ensure smooth entries. Future talks will focus on systemic improvements, such as fixed quotas for highly skilled Koreans.
At the launch, Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina and Acting U.S. Ambassador Kevin Kim attended. Kim emphasized reforms that "would contribute to rebuilding American manufacturing and creating jobs." The "Partner with Korea Act," proposing 15,000 E4 visas for Korean experts, has stalled amid anti-immigration sentiment and the Trump administration's border policies.
The embassy described the KIT Desk as a central resource supporting Korean investments that aid U.S. reindustrialization, strengthen the U.S.-ROK Alliance, and enhance shared prosperity.
