“Korea implements new regional-based visa policy… New opportunities for immigrants”

The Korean government is starting a policy of accepting foreign residents into areas with a declining population in preparation for the local extinction because of declining population.

If this policy is activated, it is expected that the region will have an opportunity to take a new leap by securing the population, and foreign residents will get a stable status of residence and jobs in Korea. 

The Ministry of Justice is starting the ‘regional- specialized visa’ system, which issues visas reflecting the characteristics and needs of local governments. This is to respond to the decrease in the local population due to the low birth rate and aging population and the concentration of population in the metropolitan area by promoting visa policies that reflect local demand.

The Ministry of Justice is accepting an open call for selecting local governments participating in the pilot project prior to the establishment of a regional-specialized visa. The pilot project targets are 89 population-decreasing areas designated by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety of last year and the application deadline is August 19th.

The purpose of this pilot project is to encourage foreigners to settle in the region suitable for industries, universities, and jobs in population-decreased areas, to expand the living population of local governments, to promote economic activities, and to suppress population outflow. It will be operated for one year from October in preparation for the Special Act on Support for Depopulated Areas, which will be implemented on January 1st next year.

The pilot project is first targeted at excellent local talents and compatriots' families. Foreigners who meet regional specialization requirements are given residence (F-2) and compatriots (F-4) visas on condition of compulsory residence and employment for a certain period of time in the region, and their visas are canceled if they violate the compulsory residence requirements.

In the case of excellent local talents, they basically must have Korean proficiency and have an income of 70% or more of per capita GNI (Gross National Income) (28.33 million won in 2021) or have a bachelor's degree or higher. The visa is issued on condition that they have confirmed employment at a job in a population-decreased area and a condition of living in the area for at least 5 years. Resident requirements required by the region, such as job group and nationality, are added to this.

Compatriot family members include foreign nationals who have been living in a declining population area for more than two years, or compatriot family members who have immigrated to a declining population area, or compatriot family members who are new to the Republic of Korea and want to settle in a population decreasing area. According to the Overseas Koreans Act, a foreign national is a person who has Korean nationality and acquired foreign nationality or a person who acquired foreign nationality as a direct descendant of the national.

For those, F-4 visas are issued in a condition of living in the area for at least two years, and they are also able to work in areas with a declining population. Local governments should come up with policies to support the settlement of compatriot families, such as housing, starting a business, or educating children.

Expectations are high for the new foreigner visa policy based on the region.

Reporter Hasung Song