Seoul: The government is set to implement measures to attract more foreign workers to areas facing depopulation by broadening eligibility for region-specific visas and simplifying the issuance process, the Ministry of Justice announced on Thursday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the current region-specific visas are limited to 89 depopulation areas nationwide. The ministry plans to increase this number to 107 by including 18 additional areas at risk of depopulation. Furthermore, a new region-specific skilled worker (E-7-4R) visa will be introduced, featuring a more lenient stay period and reduced requirements.
The ministry also outlined plans to allow foreigners who have resided in the country for over two years with a non-professional employment (E-9) visa or a maritime crew (E-10) visa to transition to the E-7-4R visa, provided they meet specific qualification criteria, including skills.
Currently, foreign workers who have legally worked in South Korea for five years or more under E-9, E-10, or work and visit (H-2) visas can change their status to a skilled worker visa if they meet requirements such as skillfulness and Korean language proficiency.
The ministry further detailed that foreigners residing in depopulation areas with the E-7-4R visa for more than three years will be eligible to switch to a region-specific foreign talent (F-2-R) visa. The new policy will also relax Korean language proficiency requirements and employment company restrictions for F-2-R visa holders to aid their settlement in these regions.
A ministry official expressed optimism that the new visa policy would lead to an increased population in depopulation areas and stimulate the local economy.