"The World and Japan" Database (Project Leader: TANAKA Akihiko)
Database of Japanese Politics and International Relations
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia (IASA), The University of Tokyo

[Title] AGREEMENT ON THE SIMPLIFICATION OF VISA PROCEDURES AND THE ISSUANCE OF MULTIPLE ENTRY VISAS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

[Place] Beijing, China
[Date] Signed at Beijing November 12, 1998 Entered into force December 12, 1998
[Source] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of ROK
[Notes]
[Full text]

The Government of the Republic of Korea and the Government of the People's Republic of China(hereinafter referred to as "the Contracting Parties"),

Desirous of further promoting friendly relations and cooperation between their respective countries, and facilitating the mutual travel of the nationals of both countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit,

Have agreed, through friendly consultations, as follows:

Article 1

The embassy or consulates of the receiving country shall, upon receipt of the application in the form of a note from the competent authorities of the sending country, issue multiple visas valid for three(3) years to the members of the diplomatic mission or consular posts of the sending country in the receiving country, and to their accompanying spouses, minor children, parents and spouses' parents. Upon expiration, these visas may be extended or renewed in the receiving country on application, provided that the above-mentioned requirements are met.

Article 2

The embassy or consulates of the receiving country shall, upon receipt of the application in the form of a note from the competent authorities of the sending country, issue multiple visas valid for one(1) year and for a stay not exceeding ninety(90) days each time to the non-accompanying spouses, children, parents and spouses' parents of the resident personnel of the diplomatic mission or consular posts of the sending country in the receiving country who wish to visit the members of their families.

Article 3

The personnel mentioned in Articles 1 and 2 of this Agreement are exempted from paying visa fees, including visa extension fees, but they are required to fill in a visa application form and to hand in photos when applying for a visa.

Article 4

The embassy or consulates of the receiving country shall, upon receipt of a written request from the competent authorities, the head office of the public corporation or the private company of the sending country engaged in commerce, trade, civil aviation, shipping, transportation, communications, finance or tourism, issue multiple visas valid for two(2) years to the personnel who have been employed longer than one(1) year and are assigned as staff members to the resident offices of the public corporation or the private company in the receiving country, and to their accompanying spouses, minor children, parents and spouses' parents, provided that the establishment of such offices is approved by the competent authorities of the receiving country. Upon expiration, these visas may be extended orrenewed in the receiving country on application, provided that the above-mentioned requirements are met.

The above-mentioned personnel shall, upon their arrival, go through residence and registration procedures in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations in force of the receiving country.

Article 5

The embassy or consulates of the receiving country shall, upon receipt of a written request from the competent authorities, the public corporation or the private company of the sending country, issue multiple visas valid for one(1) year and for a stay not exceeding thirty(30) days each time to the personnel whose positions are manager or of higher rank, or who have been employed for two(2) years consecutively as regular staff members of the public corporation, or the private company having an annual trade volume of over 50,000 US dollars with the receiving country and are recognized to be in need of making frequent visits to the receiving country for business purpose.

Article 6

The personnel mentioned in Articles 4 and 5 of this Agreement are required to pay visa fees, to fill in a visa application form, and to hand in photos when applying for a visa.

Article 7

The embassy or consulates of each country shall, within five(5) working days from the date of application, issue visas to the personnel mentioned in this Agreement, provided hat the above-mentioned requirements are met.

Article 8

The competent authorities of the Contracting Parties may exchange information on visa issuance and hold, when necessary, consultations in Seoul and Beijing alternately to review the implementation of this Agreement and other relevant matters.

Article 9

This Agreement shall enter into force the thirtieth day from the date of signature. This Agreement shall remain valid for an indefinite period of time. Either Contracting Party may terminate this Agreement at any time by giving sixty(60) days' prior notification in writing to the other through diplomatic channels.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorized by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement.

Done in duplicate at Beijing, on the 12th day of November 1998, in the Korean, Chinese and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of any divergence in the interpretation of this Agreement, the English text shall prevail.

FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA