Competition to Attract Global Talent... National Pukyong University Selected for Ministry of Justice's 'K-STAR Visa Track' Program

Plaque Award Ceremony Held on December 5
Momentum for Attracting Global Talent as a Research-Oriented University

For international students studying in South Korea, the greatest barrier is not language or tuition, but the 'visa'.

However, National Pukyong University has opened a 'highway' through this formidable wall.

National Pukyong University (President Bae Sanghoon) has been selected as a participating university in the 'K-STAR Visa Track' program, overseen by the Ministry of Justice.

On December 5, the Ministry of Justice held a ceremony at the Government Complex Gwacheon to present certificates designating the participating universities for the 'K-STAR Visa Track'.

Park Wonyong, Vice President of Academic Affairs (left), is receiving the plaque from Jeong Seongho, Minister of Justice. Provided by National Pukyong University

The 'K-STAR Visa Track' is a system designed to promote permanent residency and naturalization for outstanding foreign master's and doctoral talents in the fields of science and technology. Previously, the program was operated mainly through five science and technology institutes, including KAIST, but this time it has been expanded to major general universities nationwide.

The core of this system is that a letter of recommendation from the university president alone grants eligibility for residence (F-2) status. International students who have obtained (or are expected to obtain) a master's or doctoral degree and are recommended by the university president are granted residence status, and after three years of residence, they are given the opportunity to apply for permanent residency (F-5) or special naturalization.

Since it typically takes at least six years for general international students to obtain permanent residency (F-5) status, this is considered a groundbreaking benefit for attracting outstanding international students.

The Ministry of Justice has designated 25 universities nationwide, including National Pukyong University, as participating institutions in the 'K-STAR Visa Track'. The evaluation was conducted comprehensively across three areas: international student management capabilities, the current state of international student education, and plans for managing and supporting outstanding talent. The designation period is for three years, starting in 2026.

With its selection as a participating university in the 'K-STAR Visa Track', National Pukyong University is expected to gain momentum in attracting global talent as a leading regional research-oriented university, by establishing a stable research ecosystem that enables outstanding international students to conduct research and settle in Korea.