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Small Business Owners in Declining Population Areas Can Now Hire Foreigners (F-2-R): A Complete Guide to Special Employment Exceptions for Regional Revitalization (2026)

Small Business Owners in Declining Population Areas Can Now Hire Foreigners (F-2-R): A Complete Guide to Special Employment Exceptions for Regional Revitalization (2026)

At a Glance, the Ministry of Justice will pilot the 'Special Employment Provisions for Regional Vitality Small Business Owners' starting May 18, 2026. Small business owners and agricultural corporations in the manufacturing, wholesale and retail, and restaurant sectors who meet the requirements of operating for at least three years and having annual sales of at least 100 million won in 89 population-declining regions nationwide may hire one foreign national under the Regional Specialized Talent (F-2-R) visa without hiring a domestic national. The pilot operation will run until December 31, 2027.



What changes?

Previously, to hire a holder of an F-2-R (Regionally Specialized Talent) visa, at least one local employee had to be employed at the workplace. However, in areas with declining populations, it was difficult to recruit locals, which placed significant restrictions on the utilization of foreign labor.

With the introduction of this special provision, small business owners and agricultural corporations that meet certain requirements will be able to hire one F-2-R foreigner regardless of whether they employ domestic nationals.


Requirements for Application of Special Provisions

item detail
Applicable Areas 89 population-declining regions nationwide
Applicable industries Manufacturing, Wholesale and Retail Trade, Restaurant Business (Small Business Owners) / Agricultural Corporations
Business operation period 3 years or more
Previous year's sales 100 million won or more
Number of available hires One foreigner with an F-2-R visa
Pilot operation period May 18, 2026 – December 31, 2027



Policy Background and Purpose

The Ministry of Justice is promoting this system as a core task of the '2030 Future Strategy for Immigration Policy.' It is a policy that aims not merely to expand the foreign workforce, but to simultaneously revitalize the local economy and alleviate the management burden on small business owners.

In particular, the policy is to encourage F-2-R visa holders with a high understanding of the Korean language and culture to settle stably in the local community.



What is an F-2-R visa?

The F-2-R (Regionally Specialized Talent) visa is a residence visa issued on the condition of residing and working in a region experiencing population decline. It is granted to foreign nationals who meet the requirements for outstanding talent, such as specific educational background, income, and Korean language proficiency, and those who reside and work in the region for five years or more may receive bonus points when applying for permanent residency.



Things small business owners need to know

  1. Your workplace must be located in an area of ​​population decline. Please check the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's notice to see if your workplace is included in the 89 designated areas.
  2. You must have a history of operating for at least 3 years after business registration.
  3. You must be able to prove sales of 100 million won or more in the previous year (e.g., VAT return data).
  4. Hiring is limited to one person per workplace.
  5. You need to check with the competent immigration office regarding specific application procedures and required documents.



Things Foreign Job Seekers Need to Know

Foreign nationals holding an F-2-R visa are highly likely to see increased employment opportunities due to this special provision. Previously, small businesses without domestic employees were unable to hire, but going forward, employment options will expand to include restaurants, retail stores, small manufacturing companies, and agricultural corporations in areas experiencing population decline.

However, as detailed operational guidelines are subject to change during the pilot period, it is advisable to verify whether the workplace meets the special exemption requirements before applying.



Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. How do I check if my visa is F-2-R?

A. You can check your status of residence code on the back of your Alien Registration Card or on My Page at HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr). If it is marked as 'F-2-R', you qualify as a Regionally Specialized Excellent Talent. If you are unsure, please contact the Foreigners Information Center (☎ 1345).


Q2. Where are the 89 areas experiencing population decline?

A. These are regions designated and notified by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and they are mostly county-level areas in non-capital regions such as Gangwon, Chungbuk, Chungnam, Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, Gyeongbuk, and Gyeongnam.

👉🏻 Check areas with population decline


Q3. We already have foreign employees at the workplace. Can we hire additional F-2-R visa holders?

A. This special provision allows for the hiring of one F-2-R visa holder per workplace. Whether this applies separately from the employment of other visa holders depends on detailed operational guidelines, so it is necessary to check with the competent immigration office.


Q4. What happens after the pilot operation period ends?

A. The Ministry of Justice plans to review whether to formally institutionalize the system after analyzing the results of the pilot operation, which will run until December 31, 2027. The impact on the status of residence of foreigners employed during the pilot operation will be subject to a separate announcement.


Q5. I would like to work at a restaurant. Is that possible?

A. Since the restaurant industry is included in the sectors eligible for this special exemption, small restaurant owners in areas experiencing population decline can hire F-2-R visa holders if they meet the requirements.



If you are looking for job openings available with your current visa, you can check job postings by region and job function on Jobflowy. If you find the visa requirements or application process complicated, consult with a Jobflowy administrative consultant to receive answers tailored to your specific situation.

For further consultation, please contact Jobploy. ☎ 02-875-2134 / ✉ support@jobploy.kr

F-2-R F2R Special provisions for regional revitalization employment population decline areas Small business foreigner recruitment 2030 Immigration Policy Regionally Specialized Talent

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