By Kim Hyelin and Lee Jihae

The period for de facto renewal of the F-5 (permanent residency) visa has expired, but holders who could not renew it because of the pandemic will be temporarily exempt from fines.

The Korea Immigration Service under the Ministry of Justice on Sept. 7 said F-5 holders who were unable to enter the country due to COVID-19 will be exempt from fines if they apply for renewal within 30 days of entry into the country.

The exemption applies to those who received the visa before Sept. 20, 2008, but could not apply for renewal due to the pandemic. Renewal can be done at the service's headquarters or a branch.

Those who lost permanent residency because of failure to renew the visa within the two-year reentry period, however, will not be exempt from fines. The exemption takes effect on Sept. 25.

An F-5 holder must report to immigration every ten years to get a new ID card with a recent photo. Failure to do so within two years after the ten-year period expires could incur a fine of up to KRW 2 million.

kimhyelin211@korea.kr