About "Regional- specific visa"

The Ministry of Justice has established a regional specialized visa that reflects the demand of local governments in issuing visas, which is called "Regioanl- Specific Visa" and it has been in effect on October 4th.

This visa reflects the characteristics and needs of the region, and is a system to secure local talent and promote balanced national development.

 

 

The region that take effect on with this visa is below:

• Metropolitan government:

-Chungcheongnam-do (Boryeong-si, Yesan-gun),

-Jeollabuk-do (Jeongeup-si, Namwon-si, Gimje-si),

-Jeollanam-do (Jangheung-gun, Gangjin-gun,

-Haenam-gun, Yeongam-gun),

-Gyeongsangbuk-do (Yeongju-si, Uiseong-gun, Yeongcheon-si, Goryeong-gun)

• Basic Local Government:

-Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do, Goseong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

If this condition is fulfilled, and under the premise that employment activities are possible in industries conducted by local governments, promising to live in a population-decreasing area for a certain period of time, one can get or change to F-2 visa.

 

Following is basic requirements:

• (Korean proficiency) TOPIK Level 3, (Completed social integration program 3 or higher)
• (compliance with law and order) Confirmation of criminal history background, violation of the Immigration Control Act, etc.
• (income/educational background) ① Income is more than 70% of GNI per capital ('28.33 million won in 21 years) or ② The educational background must be those with a bachelor's degree or higher (a domestic professional bachelor')
• (Employment) Employment must have been confirmed for jobs in a population-decreasing area (submission of evidence that an employment contract for at least one year has been confirmed)​​​
• (Period) A visa is issued on the condition that a person has been employed in the relevant population-decreasing area for at least 5 years, and if the conditions at the time of permission are violated, his/her status of residence is revoked.

 

This is following those who are restricted from changing their qualifications for excellent local talent:

Technical training (D-3), general training (D-4), hotel entertainment (E-6-2), seasonal work (E-8), non-professional employment (E-9), crew employment (E-10), other (G-1), tourism employment (H-1), citizens of multiple countries (21 notification countries), and those who are suspended from departure are restricted.

 

 

Beneficial

- Foreigners with basic requirements and additional requirements set by local governments selected for the pilot project are allowed to change their status of residence to "Residence (F-2)." 

- Permission is granted on condition of actual residence and work in a population-decreased area for 5 years after obtaining residence (F-2) qualification, and invitation of family (spouse, minor child) is possible (family also needs to meet actual residence conditions).

- Spouse (F-1) of outstanding local talent can be employed by applying for 'permission for non-qualification activities' in advance.
* Details of employment scope will be announced later.