Busan opens applications for F-2-R visa for international students

Busan announced on Friday that it has commenced accepting applications from international students for its F-2-R regional specialized residency visa, while planning to host a job fair to facilitate connections with job opportunities in the region.

Visitors line up at the Busan Job Fair for International Students, which invited companies eligible for the F-2-R visa, held in July last year. [JOONGANG ILBO]

Busan announced on Friday that it has commenced accepting applications from international students for its F-2-R regional specialized residency visa, while also planning to host a job fair to facilitate connections with job opportunities in the region.

The city is currently receiving applications for the F-2-R visa from Friday until May 10. With a visa quota of 120 for this year, Busan will initiate a second round of applications if the quota remains unfilled during the first application period.

The F-2-R visa enables foreigners to reside in Korea for five years, mandating their residence and employment within areas designated by the government. Busan's Seo District, Dong District and Yeongdo District are among the designated areas, each with a visa quota of 40.

Prospective applicants can apply for the visa at the Seo District, Dong District and Yeongdo District offices, depending on their intended district of residence.

Eligible applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or higher from a university in Busan, or be in their final semester with an expected graduation. They must also demonstrate Korean proficiency at Topik level 3 or above, or have completed level 3 or above in the Korea Immigration & Integration Program.

Additionally, applicants require a letter of recommendation from their university, obtainable through the university's office of international affairs. For instance, Pusan National University is accepting applications for recommendation letters until May 1.

Applicants must also be currently employed, or have received a job offer within the three Busan districts, to qualify for the visa.

To assist those who do not meet the employment requirement, Busan is offering job consultations at the Youth Do Dream Center, Busan Job Center and the Dongbusan Job Center. These consultations aim to connect applicants with suitable job opportunities in the visa districts based on their skills and the needs of companies.

Busan will conduct a job fair for international students on May 23, inviting companies from the three districts to conduct recruiting sessions.

Despite the job fair occurring after the first-round application period, the city assured that it would "provide job opportunities for students intending to apply for the visa in the second round."

BY LEE TAE-HEE [lee.taehee2@joongang.co.kr]