Regional Specialized Visa Expansion Implementation – Foreign Workers Must Know! There is good news for foreign workers who dream of working and settling down in Korea. The Ministry of Justice of Korea will implement the ‘Regional Specialized Visa Operation Plan’ starting in 2025. This system is designed to expand opportunities for legal residence, employment, and long-term settlement for foreigners seeking local jobs. 📢 Why is this system important? Korea is seeing an increase in areas with declining populations. To address this, the Ministry of Justice operates a regional visa program to attract and settle talented foreigners in local areas. From 2025, the target area will be expanded and the visa system for foreign workers will be improved so that more people can benefit. 🔍 Summary of the 2025 Regional Visa Operation Plan Period : 2025-2026 (2 years) Participating local governments : 85 basic local governments Number of Visa Assignments : Total 5,072 (Regional Specialized Talent F-2-R) ✅ Detailed information on major improvements 1. Expanding the target area and improving the quota allocation method Existing population decline areas 89 → 18 areas of interest added, total 107 areas No more public contests → Local governments submit business plans directly and assign quotas based on performance evaluations from the previous year 5,072 out of 5,156 applicants were assigned (98.3% assignment rate) 2. Establishment of a new visa for regionally specialized skilled workers (E-7-4R) Previously, it was difficult for those with non-professional employment (E-9) or seafarer employment (E-10) qualifications to transition to skilled labor. It is now possible to switch to a new E-7-4R visa if certain conditions are met. E-7-4R Conversion Conditions : Those who have stayed in the country for more than 2 years on an E-9/E-10/H-2 visa within the past 10 years Currently working legally in Korea Annual salary of 26 million won or more + employment contract of 2 years or more Korean language proficiency TOPIK level 2 or higher (E-7-4 score system applied) characteristic : The place of work is a depopulated area or an area of interest. If you stay for more than 3 years , you can change to a regional specialized talent (F-2-R) visa. Spouse can work (simple labor), children can be educated 3. Improvement of requirements for regional specialized talent visa (F-2-R) The requirements have been strengthened slightly compared to before, For well-prepared foreign workers, this can be a great opportunity. Major changes : Korean language proficiency: TOPIK level 3 → level 4 or higher (or social integration program level 4 or higher) Eligible industries: All industries (except for some restricted industries such as gambling) Expansion of the number of foreign employees: from 20 to up to 50 Other conditions : A letter of recommendation issued by the local government is required. The employment area is within the local government that issued the letter of recommendation. Spouse and minor children may accompany you , and spouse may also work as a simple laborer 📂 Detailed information by visa type Regional Specialized Talent Visa (F-2-R) item detail Target area Areas with declining population Application target Foreign nationals residing in Korea (excluding D-3, D-4, E-6-2, E-8, E-9, E-10, G-1, and H-1 visas) Key Requirements ① Associate degree or higher or previous year's income GNI 70% or higher ② Korean TOPIK level 4 or higher Duration of stay Up to 5 years (possible to move within the same metropolitan area after 2 years) Job Opportunities No restrictions (excluding gambling, entertainment, etc.) Areas where employment is possible Within the local government issuing the letter of recommendation (can move to the same metropolitan government after 2 years) With family Allowed (spouse and minor children) Spouse employment Allowed (simple labor, within target area) Children's education Admission to schools within the area where the letter of recommendation is issued is possible Regional Specialized Skilled Worker Visa (E-7-4R) item detail Target area Population decline area, population decline area of concern Application target Those who have stayed for more than 2 years with an E-9, E-10, or H-2 visa Key Requirements ① Annual salary of 26 million won or more + 2-year contract ② Korean TOPIK level 2 or higher Duration of stay Up to 3 years (can move to the same metropolitan government after 2 years) Job Opportunities Root industries, agriculture, forestry, livestock, and fisheries, manufacturing, construction, transportation, etc. Areas where employment is possible Within the local government issuing the letter of recommendation With family Allowed (spouse and minor children) Spouse employment Allowed (simple labor, within target area) Children's education Admission to schools within the area where the letter of recommendation is issued is possible Regional Specialized Overseas Korean Visa (F-4-R) item detail Target area Areas with declining population Application target Foreign nationals in Korea and abroad Key Requirements ① Reside in a population-declining area for more than 2 years ② Move as a family unit Duration of stay Continued (cannot be extended if moving to another region) Job Opportunities No restrictions (some exceptions) Areas where employment is possible All basic local governments within the relevant metropolitan government With family Allowed (spouse and minor children) Spouse employment Allowed (simple labor, within target area) Children's education Admission to schools within the area where the letter of recommendation is issued is possible 📌 List of designated areas Population Decline Areas (89 in total) Busan - Dong-gu, Seo-gu, Yeongdo-gu Daegu - Nam-gu, Seobu, Gunwi-gun Incheon - Ganghwa-gun, Ongjin-gun Gyeonggi - Gapyeong-gun, Yeoncheon-gun Gangwon - Goseong-gun, Samcheok-si, Yanggu-gun, Yangyang-gun, Yeongwol-gun, Jeongseon-gun, Cheorwon-gun, Taebaek-si, Pyeongchang-gun, Hongcheon-gun, Hwacheon-gun, Hoengseong-gun Chungbuk - Goesan-gun, Danyang-gun, Boeun-gun, Yeongdong-gun, Okcheon-gun, Jecheon-si Chungnam - Gongju-si, Geumsan-gun, Nonsan-si, Boryeong-si, Buyeo-gun, Seocheon-gun, Yesan-gun, Cheongyang-gun, Taean-gun Jeonbuk - Gochang-gun, Gimje-si, Namwon-si, Muju-gun, Buan-gun, Sunchang-gun, Imsil-gun, Jangsu-gun, Jeongeup-si, Jinan-gun Jeonnam - Gangjin-gun, Goheung-gun, Gokseong-gun, Gurye-gun, Damyang-gun, Boseong-gun, Sinan-gun, Yeonggwang-gun, Yeongam-gun, Wando-gun, Jangseo-gun, Jangheung-gun, Jindo-gun, Hampyeong-gun, Haenam-gun, Hwasun-gun Gyeongbuk - Goryeong-gun, Mungyeong-si, Bonghwa-gun, Sangju-si, Seongju-gun, Andong-si, Yeongdeok-gun, Yeongyang-gun, Yeongju-si, Yeongcheon-si, Ulleung-gun, Uljin-gun, Uiseong-gun, Cheongdo-gun, Cheongsong-gun Gyeongnam - Geochang-gun, Goseong-gun, Namhae-gun, Miryang-si, Sancheong-gun, Uiryeong-gun, Changnyeong-gun, Hadong-gun, Haman-gun, Hamyang-gun, Hapcheon-gun Population Decline Areas of Concern (Total 18) Busan - Geumjeong-gu Jung-gu Incheon - Dong-gu Gwangju - Dong-gu Daejeon - Daedeok-gu, Dong-gu, Jung-gu Gyeonggi - Dongducheon-si, Pocheon-si Gangwon - Gangneung-si, Donghae-si, Sokcho-si, Inje-gun Jeonbuk - Iksan City Gyeongbuk - Gyeongju-si, Gimcheon-si Gyeongnam - Sacheon-si, Tongyeong-si ✨ A word from the Ministry of Justice Acting Minister of Justice Kim Seok-woo said: “This regionally specialized visa operation is for areas with declining population and areas of interest. We hope that this will contribute to population inflow and revitalization of the local economy.” 📝 In summary ✅ Foreign workers who want to work long-term in local areas ✅ People who want to settle down stably with their family ✅ Those who are aiming for visa conversion or permanent residency 👉 For these people, the 2025 regional visa system is a golden opportunity. Before you start your job search, make sure you check if the area you are applying to is eligible for a visa. Also, please find out in advance the requirements for issuing letters of recommendation from local governments. Foreign workers who are considering employment in local areas in the future, Please remember this visa system!