Visa Issuance Restrictions Imposed on 24 Universities for Inadequate International Student Management
Government Announces Results of Internationalization Competency Certification and Survey
Certified Universities to Receive Benefits; Sanctions Applied to Institutions with High Illegal Stay Rates
Twenty-four universities with inadequate management of international students will face visa issuance restrictions for one year starting from the second semester of this year, limiting their ability to attract foreign students.
On the 25th, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Justice announced that based on the results of the 'Education Internationalization Competency Certification Review' and the 'Survey on the Attraction and Management of International Students,' which provide benefits when attracting international students, 11 universities operating degree programs for international students, including Sehan University, were notified of their designation as 'Universities Subject to Strict Visa Review.' Additionally, 13 universities operating language training programs, such as Dongduk Women's University, received the same sanctions. These 24 universities will face visa issuance restrictions for one year starting from the second semester of this year. Universities may receive counseling provided by the National Research Foundation if they wish.
The government conducts annual education internationalization competency certification reviews and surveys on the attraction and management of international students to enhance universities' internationalization capabilities and address issues such as illegal stay by foreign students.
Certified universities receive benefits such as relaxed visa issuance review standards for international students, preferential participation in overseas Korean study fairs, and additional points when selected for the Government Scholarship Program (GKS) for studying in Korea.
In 2024, the number of certified universities increased compared to the previous year, with 158 universities offering degree programs and 103 universities offering language training programs. The number of international students entering Korea increased by 27,000, from approximately 182,000 to 209,000.
For universities other than certified ones that have at least one international student enrolled, surveys are conducted, and if standards are not met, they are designated as universities subject to strengthened visa review.
If the illegal stay rate exceeds 8-10% in degree programs or 25-30% in language training programs, the university will be sanctioned as a university subject to strengthened visa review.
Information on certified universities for 2024 will be posted on the Korea Study Abroad Information System and the National Research Foundation website and provided to overseas diplomatic missions to promote Korean study to prospective international students. Information on universities with inadequate management will be reported to the Ministry of Justice and reflected in visa reviews.
Meanwhile, universities with visa issuance restrictions for degree programs include Sehan University, Jungang Seungga University, Chodang University, Gwangju Health University, Busan Arts University, Songgok University, Hanyoung University, Kyungan Graduate School, International Law and Management Graduate School, Seoul Buddhist Graduate School, and Ezra Bible Graduate School, totaling 11 schools.
Universities with visa issuance restrictions for language training programs include Gwangju Women's University, Dongduk Women's University, Sangji University, U1 University, Jeju International University, Chodang University, Calvin University, Halla University, Catholic Sangji University, Woosong Information College, Jeonju Kijeon University, Hanyoung University, and International Law and Management Graduate School, totaling 13 schools.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
