Kyungpook National University Selected for Ministry of Justice's 'K-STAR Visa Track'... Residence Visa Granted with Only President's Recommendation

E-7 Visa Required for Three Years After Graduation, Now Residence Visa Available Upon Graduation
Lowering Barriers for High-Level International Talent to Settle in Korea

Kyungpook National University (President Heo Youngwoo) has been selected as a final participant in the 'K-STAR Visa Track (Korea-Science & Technology Advanced human-Resources)' program promoted by the Ministry of Justice.

Since 2023, the Ministry of Justice has operated a 'Fast-Track for Permanent Residency and Naturalization for Outstanding Talent in Science and Technology' for five science and technology-focused universities, including KAIST. This year, the program was expanded and reorganized, and among the universities participating in the BK21 Graduate School Innovation Support Project, outstanding institutions were selected for the K-STAR Visa Track.

Front View of Kyungpook National University Main Building

The K-STAR Visa Track is a program designed to facilitate permanent residency and naturalization for foreign master's and doctoral-level talent in science and technology fields enrolled at domestic universities. Under this system, students can obtain a residence visa (F-2) upon graduation with only a recommendation letter from the university president.

After residing in Korea for three years with a residence visa (F-2), individuals are eligible to apply for permanent residency or special naturalization.

Previously, graduates had to maintain an employment visa (E-7) for three years after graduation to qualify for a residence visa (F-2).

With this selection, Kyungpook National University has established a comprehensive support system that covers the entire process from foreign students’ admission to their settlement in Korea after graduation.

In particular, the university plans to strengthen its efforts to attract high-level international talent and support their settlement in Korea, in connection with its transition to a graduate school-centered research university and the establishment of a Young Researchers’ Town.

Choi Heekyung, Director of the Office of International Affairs at Kyungpook National University, stated, "This selection will not only help attract foreign students but also contribute to creating a research and technology innovation environment that benefits the local community and industry. We will continue to strengthen our support so that outstanding talent can settle and conduct research stably, aiming to become a global innovation university centered on graduate schools and a research hub sought after by the world."