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On August 24, the Ministry of Justice announced the ‘Reform Plan for Visa Killer Regulations Leading Economic Growth’ and announced that it would allow foreign workers and international students to stay and work in Korea longer. Let's take a look at the contents that apply to international students!
International students can easily get a job for 3 years
*Previously, they were kicked out after graduating... : The number of international students in degree programs in Korea doubled in 12 years from 70,000 in 2010 to 140,000 in 2022.
However, as of 2022, the international student employment rate is only 16%. The reason why the employment rate of international students is so low is that the field of employment after graduation is limited to office and professional positions, and only those that are directly related to the major field of study are allowed.
For example, in the past, business administration graduates were not allowed to get office jobs at small and medium-sized businesses on the absurd reason that it was different from their field of study. As a result, many international students had to leave Korea because they could not find employment.
*How far are international students allowed to work? : The Ministry of Justice has announced that it will contribute to resolving the labor shortage in companies by improving employment regulations for international students in the future. In particular, the Ministry of Justice plans to allow international students full employment for three years after graduation.
What does 3-year full employment permit mean?
*Unable to talk to the person in charge: Papaya Story called the Immigration Headquarters for several days to confirm the meaning of the 3-year full employment permit, but the person in charge was not available.
Because of this, we couldn't confirm the exact details, but it seems that they allow employment in fields other than their major. This means that foreign students are allowed to work in all fields where foreigners can currently find employment in Korea, including fields where E-9 workers are employed.
*After 3 years? : Then, it is possible for international students to get a job in a small business or restaurant regardless of their major. However, if international students do not switch to a better visa within three years, they will most likely have to leave Korea.
For example, if you work in a factory, you can switch to a skilled worker (E-7-4) visa, but if you work in a restaurant, it is difficult to be recognized as a professional, so you will have to leave the country after 3 years.
Regarding this, an official at the Immigration Office said, “For more details, we can know only when detailed guidelines come down from the Ministry of Justice.”
It is easy to change visa and allow you to live in Korea
*E-7-4 visa conversion made easy: The Ministry of Justice plans to make it easier than ever for international students to convert their visa to a skilled worker (E-7-4). In particular, if an international student receives on-the-job training for a certain period of time as a condition of being hired by a shipbuilding company after graduation, they will be allowed to change to a professional (E-7) qualification.
*Expansion of participation in regionally specialized visas: We decided to expand the regionally specialized visa business for international students, which is currently in pilot operation, to give preferential treatment to those who find a job in a province other than the metropolitan area.
The regional specialization project is a system that grants a residence (F-2) visa, which is much better than the professional worker (E-7) visa, if an international student lives and works in a depopulated area for 5 years after graduation.
We hope that many international students will contribute to the Korean economy and achieve their dreams through this system improvement!
Mary Eve of Papaya Story
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