A few days ago, the announcement of the regional specialized visa project (F2R, F4R) was released targeting local governments.
The permitted industries and number of persons are proposed by the local governments, so the details on these have not been announced yet.
However, there are changes in the eligibility and requirements compared to last year, with the three most significant changes being as follows
- Ineligibility to apply for F-2-R from E-9 visa
- Prohibition of duplicate applications for F-2-R (cancellation of approval and restriction of application for the current year in case of duplicate applications)
- Restriction on changing workplaces for a year (change is possible only with the recommendation from the local government in exceptional cases such as suspension or closure of business)
These three major changes are expected to critically impact the F2R application process, but setting aside personal opinions, we will clearly check the contents based on the announcement.
F-2-R Visa (Regional Talent)
1. Target
- Legal foreign residents recommended by local governments
※ Subjects to Restrictions on Changing Qualifications
Technical Training (D-3), General Training (D-4), Hotel Entertainment (E-6-2), Seasonal Work (E-8), Non-Professional Employment (E-9), Seafarer Employment (E-10), Others (G-1), Tourism Employment (H-1)
2. Basic Requirements
① (Korean Language Proficiency) Level 3 or above in the Korean Language Proficiency Test (or completion of Level 3 or above in the Social Integration Program)
※ From 2025, this will be upgraded to Level 4 in the Korean Language Proficiency Test or Level 4 or above in the Social Integration Program
② (Compliance with Legal Order) Verification of criminal records, history of violations of immigration laws, etc.
③ (Income or Education) Meet either one (70% of GNI per capita is required for each national for extension of stay period)
- Income: 70% or more of the previous year's GNI per capita (if the GNI for the year prior to the application date is not announced, the GNI of the year before the previous year applies)
- Education: Holders of an associate degree or higher from domestic institutions
④ (Employment/Entrepreneurship) Confirmed employment/entrepreneurship within a population decline area as of the application date
※ Must work at the initially approved workplace for more than one year, and change of workplace is possible if it is difficult to continue working due to business suspension/closure, with the recommendation from the local government
⑤ (Residence) Principle of residence and employment in the business target local government
※ However, if the local government wishes to allow only one of residence or employment/entrepreneurship, the necessity and basis must be provided in the business plan (approval from the Ministry of Justice required for application)
⑥ (Period) Visa issued on the condition of residing and engaging in employment/entrepreneurship in a population decline area for more than 5 years, with cancellation of residence qualification in case of violation
⑦ (Nationality) The specific nationality ratio of regional talents recommended by the local government shall not exceed 40% of the local government's quota
※ From 2025, it is planned to not exceed 30% of the local government's quota
⑧ (Prohibition of Duplicate Applications) Cancellation of approval and restriction of application for the current year in case of duplicate applications
3. Accompanying Family
▶ Inviting spouses and minor children of regional talents and allowing spouses to engage in employment/entrepreneurship
① Accompanying family must also meet the residence condition in a population decline area
② Income requirement for inviting family members (GNI x 1 for four or more invitees)
③ Spouses (F-1) can engage in employment activities (simple labor allowed) through a prior application for "Permission for Activities Outside the Qualifications," and it's recommended to complete Level 2 or above in the Social Integration Program within 2 years after the initial qualification change (extension of stay period limited to 6 months if Level 2 or above in the Social Integration Program is not completed within 2 years)
④ School attendance at local schools is mandatory for children of school age
4. Reality Check
① After changing to residence (F-2) qualification, income activities and residence status will be checked to decide on the extension of stay period
※ Qualification cancellation if requirements are not met
※ At the time of extending the stay period, residence status will be checked, and it will be granted for 2 years at a time (1 year at the time of initial qualification change)
5. Comparison by Type
Regional Talent (F-2-R) | Region-Specific compatriots (F-4-R) | |
target | Legal foreign residents recommended by local governments | Overseas Koreans and their families, both domestically and internationally |
Requirements | ① Holds a domestic associate degree or higher or income of the previous year's GNI at 70% or above ② Korean language proficiency of Level 3 or above | ① Resided in the recommended area for more than 2 years or ② Family relocation to the recommended area |
Residence Restriction | 2 years (After 2 years, relocation within the same metropolitan local government's population decline area is possible) | Continuous (Relocation to other areas results in non-extension of stay period) |
Accompanying Family | Allowed (Spouse and minor children) | Allowed (Spouse and children) |
Employment Eligible Industries | Industries designated by the Ministry of Justice and local governments | |
Employment Eligible Areas | Within the basic local government that issued the recommendation (After 2 years, employment in a different business area within the same metropolitan local government is possible, provided it is the initially approved industry) | Family employment within the metropolitan local government that the basic local government belongs to |
Family Employment | Employment allowed (spouse) - Regional restriction, simple labor fields | Employment allowed (spouse) - Regional restriction, simple labor fields |
Child Schooling | Within the basic local government that issued the recommendation | Within the basic local government that issued the recommendation |
6. Status of Designation of Population Decline Areas
Busan (3) | Dong District, Seo District, Yeongdo District |
Daegu (2) | Nam District, Seo District |
Incheon (2) | Ganghwa County, Ongjin County |
Gyeonggi (2) | Gapyeong County, Yeoncheon County |
Gangwon (12) | Goseong County, Samcheok City, Yanggu County, Yangyang County, Yeongwol County, Jeongseon County, Cheorwon County, Taebaek City, Pyeongchang County, Hongcheon County, Hwacheon County, Hoengseong County |
Chungbuk (6) | Goesan County, Danyang County, Boeun County, Yeongdong County, Okcheon County, Jecheon City |
Chungnam (9) | Gongju City, Geumsan County, Nonsan City, Boryeong City, Buyeo County, Seocheon County, Yesan County, Cheongyang County, Taean County |
Jeonbuk (10) | Gochang County, Gimje City, Namwon City, Muju County, Buan County, Sunchang County, Imsil County, Jangsu County, Jeongeup City, Jinan County |
Jeonnam (16) | Gangjin County, Goheung County, Gokseong County, Gurye County, Damyang County, Boseong County, Sinan County, Yeonggwang County, Yeongam County, Wando County, Jangseong County, Jangheung County, Jindo County, Hampyeong County, Haenam County, Hwasun County |
Gyeongbuk (16) | Goryeong County, Gunwi County, Mungyeong City, Bonghwa County, Sangju City, Seongju County, Andong City, Yeongdeok County, Yeongyang County, Yeongju City, Yecheon City, Ulleung County, Uljin County, Uiseong County, Cheongdo County, Cheongsong County |
Gyeongnam (11) | Geochang County, Goseong County, Namhae County, Miryang City, Sancheong County, Uiryeong County, Changnyeong County, Hadong County, Haman County, Hapcheon |
