Korea announces 'top-tier' visas to attract high-tech foreign talent

The Justice Ministry announced Thursday the introduction of new visas aimed at recruiting and retaining foreign talent, with the country expecting around three million foreigners to reside in Korea within the next five years.

An international student fills out an application at a job fair for international students in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang, on Aug. 28. [NEWS1]

The Justice Ministry announced Thursday the introduction of new visas aimed at recruiting and retaining foreign talent, with the country expecting around three million foreigners to reside in Korea within the next five years.

The government plans to introduce new “top-tier” visas for foreigners who have studied and worked at globally renowned universities and institutes in high-tech fields such as AI, quantum technology and aerospace, starting in the first quarter of next year.

The goal is to recruit some 100,000 foreign experts over the next five years.

The Justice Ministry said it would coordinate with related ministries, including the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, to establish the new top-tier visa scheme and provide benefits for visa holders and their families.

Foreigners pursuing postgraduate studies in Korea, as well as those holding professional E-1 through E-7 visas, will see relaxed requirements for their spouses to reside in the country.

The ministry’s announcement comes as the number of foreigners in Korea currently accounts for nearly 5 percent of the population, or 2.61 million people, a figure expected to surpass 3 million within the next five years. Of the 2.61 million foreigners, about 75 percent, or 1.96 million, have resided in Korea for more than 90 days.

The number of foreign workers holding E-type visas peaked at 453,000 in July of this year, up from 322,000 in 2022 and 291,000 in 2021.

Justice Minister Park Sung-jae speaks during a press briefing held at the government complex in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi, on Thursday. [YONHAP]

A new visa category will also be introduced specifically for youths from countries that participated in the 1950-53 Korean War, as well as major economic partner nations in industries like semiconductors and automobiles. The visa will allow them to intern or work in Korea, even if they initially enter the country for language programs. The government aims to roll out this visa by the second quarter of next year.

Foreign high school graduates, including second-generation immigrants, will be eligible to convert to employment visas, such as D-10 job-seeking visas or E-7 visas for specific occupations, by the end of this year. Currently, they are ineligible for such visas unless they attend university after high school.

Additionally, the validity of the D-10 visa will be extended from two years to three. Internship periods at companies where the high school graduates work will also be extended from six months to one year. The amended visa scheme will also allow high school graduates to take non-professional jobs in industries like manufacturing and agriculture if they have a Test of Proficiency in Korean (Topik) level 3 or higher.

The Justice Ministry at the government complex in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi [YONHAP]

The amendments come as the number of international students in Korea rises, reaching 228,000 in July, up from 191,000 in 2022 and 149,000 in 2020.

The government also plans to implement visa schemes that consider regional conditions, working with local governments to address population declines in certain areas and promote local development.

The ministry is also considering pre-announcing the number of visas issued annually based on a "scientific" analysis, ensuring that the influx of foreign workers does not negatively impact employment opportunities for Korean nationals.

“As the number of immigrants continues to grow, we must create a system that attracts the foreign workers our society needs and allows them to become self-reliant members of the community, contributing to Korean society,” Justice Minister Park Sung-jae said.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]