Ministry of Justice Implements Integration of Overseas Koreans Residence Status (F-4)

Unifying the "Overseas Koreans (F-4) Status"

The Ministry of Justice announced on the 11th that it will implement a measure to unify the Overseas Koreans residence status (F-4).

Ministry of Justice

According to the Ministry of Justice, through this measure, the residence status for overseas Koreans (H-2, F-4) will be integrated into a single "Overseas Koreans (F-4) status." This means that any overseas Korean will be able to obtain the Overseas Koreans (F-4) status without discrimination based on nationality.

The issuance of new Visit and Employment (H-2) visas will be suspended, and holders of the existing Visit and Employment (H-2) status will be allowed to change to the Overseas Koreans (F-4) status even before the expiration of their current period of stay.

The scope of employment permitted for holders of the Overseas Koreans (F-4) residence status will also be expanded. Among the 47 occupations, such as simple labor and service jobs, that had been restricted for Overseas Koreans (F-4) holders, employment in 10 occupations will be allowed on a priority basis, including construction laborers, manual packaging workers, and cargo handling and loading laborers, where there is relatively little concern about displacing Korean workers and where labor shortages are severe.

To encourage voluntary settlement efforts by overseas Koreans, incentives will also be provided for Korean language proficiency and community service activities. Depending on Korean language proficiency and participation and completion of the Social Integration Program, the period of stay will be granted for between 1 and 3 years. In particular, for those with excellent Korean language skills and outstanding volunteers, the income requirement will be relaxed when applying for permanent residence (F-5), in order to support their stable settlement in Korea.

The Ministry of Justice plans to hold a policy briefing session on the 12th, the very day the system takes effect, with the participation of 23 organizations of overseas Koreans, Overseas Koreans Residence Support Centers, and academic experts.

An official from the Ministry of Justice said, "We expect this measure to resolve controversies over discrimination based on country of origin and to serve as a historic turning point that will enable 860,000 overseas Koreans residing in Korea to settle down stably."