By Lee Suh-yoon







The government has taken an extra step to encourage parents of foreign spouses married to Koreans to stay longer and care for their grandchildren.







According to the Justice Ministry, from April 2 these visiting grandparents will be able to apply for a long-term visa ― which is good for up to four years and 10 months ― until their grandchildren turn seven.





Currently, visiting grandparents can apply for the special visa until the child turns six.





The one-year extension can make a difference because children enter elementary school at seven, requiring less care. At six, the gap year imposes an extra financial burden on the internationally married couples.





Under the new rule, the foreign grandparents will be able to seek an extension on their stay until the children turn seven.





For one-parent families, or families with more than three children, the foreign grandparents can apply for a long-term visa regardless of the age of their grandchild.





A petition to ease visa restrictions for the parents of marriage-based immigrants attracted over 10,000 supporters on the Cheong Wa Dae website in January.





The ministry also stated that foreign grandparents can be deported for illegal employment.

