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KAFTA and the movement of natural persons

The Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement (KAFTA) commitments on the movement of natural persons are built upon those made by Korea and Australia in the World Trade Organization. These commitments guarantee access for Australian and Korean skilled service suppliers, investors and business visitors to enter and stay in the other Party's country.

Under KAFTA, Korea will provide access for the following categories of persons:

  • intra-corporate transferees for up to three years (this includes Australian personnel who are executives, managers and specialists);
  • traders and investors for up to two years;
  • contractual service suppliers, in certain sectors, for up to one year; and
  • business visitors for up to 90 days.

Korea will also permit equivalent entry and stay for dependants and spouses of Australians granted entry under the categories above (excluding business visitors).

Under KAFTA, Australia will provide access for the following categories of persons:

  • intra-corporate transferees for up to two years for specialists and up to four years for an executive or a senior manager;
  • independent executives for up to two years;
  • contractual service suppliers for up to one year; and
  • business visitors for up to 90 days.

Australia will also provide access for dependants and spouses of Koreans that have been granted entry, in accordance with the Agreement, for a period of longer than 12 months.

The Annex to the Chapter on the Movement of Natural Persons sets out in detail the requirements that skilled service suppliers, investors and business visitors must meet to qualify under a category of person.

Other key benefits

  • Korea's commitments on the temporary entry and stay of Australians will apply equally to Australian citizens and permanent residents.
  • Korea and Australia commit to process expeditiously applications for immigration formalities, to provide timely information on visa application progress, and to ensure simplified procedures and requirements relating to the movement of natural persons of the other Party.
  • Korea and Australia commit to making publicly available explanatory material regarding requirements for temporary entry and to respond appropriately to enquiries from persons interested in temporary entry into the territory of the other Party.
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