Outstanding Talent, Foreign Nationals of Korean Descent (F-4-R), and Skilled Workers
Chungnam Province announced on the 26th that it will promote the "Regional Specialized Visa Program" to attract outstanding foreign talent, expand the resident population, and stimulate economic activity.
The Regional Specialized Visa Program is divided into three categories: ▲Outstanding Talent (F-2-R) ▲Foreign Nationals of Korean Descent (F-4-R) ▲Skilled Workers (E-7-4R).
The Outstanding Talent (F-2-R) category grants a long-term residence visa to foreigners who meet certain qualifications such as educational background or income, on the condition that they reside and work (or start a business) in a population-declining area for more than five years. For the Foreign Nationals of Korean Descent (F-4-R) category, a long-term residence visa is issued without additional conditions if they immigrate with their families.
The newly established Skilled Workers (E-7-4R) category this year is expected to greatly help increase the resident population and resolve labor shortages by issuing long-term residence visas to non-professional (E-9, E-10, H-2) foreign workers who meet requirements such as skill level and Korean language proficiency, on the condition that they reside and work in a population-declining area for more than three years.
This year, the province received an allocation of 798 Outstanding Talent (F-2-R) visas from the Ministry of Justice for two years, through next year. Skilled Workers (E-7-4R) will be allocated separately in the future, and there is no limit on the number of Foreign Nationals of Korean Descent (F-4-R) visas.
The number of Outstanding Talent (F-2-R) visas allocated by city and county are as follows: Gongju 90, Boryeong 220, Nonsan 40, Geumsan 120, Buyeo 40, Seocheon 70, Cheongyang 80, Yesan 120, Taean 18, and so on.
Those wishing to change their visa status can visit the relevant city or county department with an application form and supporting documents such as proof of education, residence, economic activity, and Korean language proficiency. Applications will be accepted starting from the 4th of next month.
The province plans to establish an organic cooperation system with cities and counties, universities, and related organizations for business promotion, candidate identification, and job matching between foreigners and companies, in order to recruit the Outstanding Talent (F-2-R) category allocated by the Ministry of Justice.
A provincial official stated, "We will actively utilize the Regional Specialized Visa Program to increase the resident population and secure industrial manpower in areas experiencing population decline," and added, "We will make multifaceted efforts to attract and settle outstanding foreign talent in the region."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
