Up to 250 International Students to Be Accepted by Next Year
Chungnam Province announced on May 28 that it will implement a "Metropolitan Visa Pilot Program" to attract outstanding international students.
This program is a Ministry of Justice initiative that allows local governments to design and operate their own visa policies tailored to regional characteristics.
The province was finally selected for participation after holding meetings with local universities and businesses and gathering input from experts.
Through the Metropolitan Visa Pilot Program, the province will be able to issue visas to 250 international students by next year under requirements that are more relaxed than the current standards.
Currently, the Study (D-2) visa requires proof of financial capability of over 16 million won for admission to universities located outside the capital area, but the province has lowered this requirement to 8 million won.
The maximum number of hours that international students are permitted to work part-time will also be increased from the current 10-25 hours per week to 30 hours per week.
Eligible recipients of the visa are international students who are planning to enroll in departments related to the province's five strategic industries (automotive parts, semiconductors, displays, petrochemicals, steel) or in universities located in rural or fishing communities.
The province conducted a survey of universities interested in participating in the Metropolitan Visa Pilot Program and selected six universities to implement the program starting from the second semester of this year.
The selected universities are: Ajou Motor College (Boryeong, rural area); Konyang University (Nonsan, rural area); Sunmoon University (Asan, Department of Computer Engineering and Department of Future Automotive Engineering); Soonchunhyang University (Asan, Department of Global Liberal Arts); Hoseo University (Asan, Department of Automotive Engineering and Department of Semiconductor Engineering); and Hyejeon College (Hongseong, Department of Electrical Engineering).
A provincial official stated, "It is time to actively utilize international students for the survival of the region and the revitalization of local industries," adding, "By utilizing the Metropolitan Visa, we will enhance the competitiveness of local universities in attracting international students and contribute to increasing the resident population in areas experiencing population decline."
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