Employers of foreign experts under work permits and B-1 visas can no longer extend such visas beyond 63 months, according to instruction to the Ministry of Interior by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy. Prior to this policy change, extensions were allowed in exceptional cases. This instruction is expected to indefinitely delay pending work permit and B-1 visa extension applications.
The relevant ministries are re-evaluating the current extension process and further policy changes are likely.
What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
Those with pending applications should contact their immigration professional to discuss the potential impact of this policy change.