2026 Regional Specialized Visa Latest Update|F-2-R TOPIK Level 3 Relaxation·E-7-4R·F-4-R Changes
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This is JOBPLOY, connecting foreigners seeking jobs in Korea with companies hiring foreigners.The regional specialized visa system, which was significantly expanded starting in 2025, has been revised several times again in 2026.The biggest change is the relaxation of the Korean language requirement for the F-2-R regional specialized excellent talent visa from TOPIK Level 4 to Level 3, effective August 3, 2026.Along with this, new measures such as the F-2-R special employment for small business owners, expansion of E-7-4R employment limits in agriculture, livestock, and fisheries, recognition of previous work experience for unavoidable job changers, and relaxation of employment restrictions within the region for F-4 are also being implemented.This article summarizes the latest conditions and changes for F-2-R, E-7-4R, and F-4-R as of August 3, 2026.2026 Regional Specialized Visa, What Has Changed?VisaMain TargetTarget RegionRegional Obligation2026 Key ChangesF-2-RExcellent talent with domestic degree or income requirementsPopulation-declining areas5 years or moreTOPIK Level 4 relaxed to Level 3E-7-4RE-9·E-10·H-2 long-term workersPopulation-declining areas·Population-declining interest areasReside and work for 3 years or moreExpanded employment in agriculture, livestock, and fisheries, recognition of previous work experience, relaxed fine criteriaF-4-ROverseas Koreans with foreign nationalityPopulation-declining areasReside for 2 years or moreRelaxation of employment restrictions for simple labor within the regionBased on the Ministry of Justice's operational status as of May 2026, the regional specialized visa is operated in a total of 107 basic local governments, with a total allocated quota of 13,572 people. This is an increase from the 12,585 people announced in the initial operational plan for 2025.However, F-2-R and F-4-R are primarily operated in population-declining areas, while E-7-4R also includes areas of interest for population decline. The actual recruitment numbers, remaining quotas, and recommendation letter submission periods vary by local government.1. Regional Specialized Excellent Talent F-2-RF-2-R is a status of stay created to allow foreigners with certain academic qualifications, income, and Korean language proficiency to reside and work or start a business in population-declining areas for a long period with the recommendation of a local government.Even if the requirements set by the Ministry of Justice are met, it is not automatically issued; both a recommendation letter from the head of the competent metropolitan local government and a stay permit from the immigration office must be obtained.Korean language requirements will be relaxed from August 3, 2026The most important part of this revision is the basic competency, or Korean language proficiency standard, for F-2-R.CategoryUntil August 2, 2026From August 3, 2026TOPIKLevel 4 or higherLevel 3 or higherSocial Integration ProgramCompletion of Level 4 or higherCompletion of Level 3 or higherSocial Integration Program Pre-evaluationAssigned to Level 5 or higherAssigned to Level 4 or higherIt is not necessary to meet all three of the above requirements. One of the following can be met to be recognized for the basic Korean language requirement:TOPIK Level 3 or higherCompletion of Social Integration Program Level 3 or higherAssigned to Level 4 or higher in the Social Integration Program pre-evaluationThe Ministry of Justice has relaxed the existing TOPIK Level 4 standard to TOPIK Level 3 to activate employment and settlement of foreign students and professional workers in population-declining areas.Basic Application Requirements for F-2-RF-2-R generally considers the following requirements together.① Recommendation from a metropolitan local governmentA recommendation letter from the head of the metropolitan local government that has jurisdiction over the population-declining area where you wish to apply is required.Actual applications may be received by cities/counties/districts, local universities, regional industry promotion agencies, or designated implementing agencies by the local government, so you should first check the recruitment announcement for that region.② Academic or Income RequirementsOne of the following must be met:Holder of a domestic associate degree or higherPerson whose annual income is equal to or higher than the living wage of the metropolitan local government issuing the recommendation letterThe 'previous year's income GNI 70% or higher' mentioned in previous articles differs from the current standard. The current notice uses the living wage of the metropolitan local government that has jurisdiction over the recommended region, instead of applying a uniform GNI ratio nationwide.Therefore, the income standard amount may vary depending on metropolitan local governments such as Seoul, Busan, Gyeonggi, Gangwon, and Chungnam. Detailed conditions related to educational institutions, domestic stay period, and graduation or expected graduation status also apply to domestic degrees.③ Korean Language Proficiency RequirementsFrom August 3, 2026, one of the following must be met: TOPIK Level 3, completion of Social Integration Program Level 3, or assignment to Level 4 in the pre-evaluation.④ 5 years or more of regional residence·employment or business startupForeigners who have obtained F-2-R must reside in the recommended region for 5 years or more and maintain employment or business startup activities.The timing and scope of moving workplaces or residences to other regions may vary depending on the local government recommendation type and work processing guidelines. Therefore, it should not be uniformly judged that 'after 2 years, one can freely move anywhere within the same metropolitan local government' as in previous articles.⑤ Conduct and Stay Management RequirementsViolations of domestic law, immigration control law, illegal stay, tax/health insurance arrears, and submission of false documents may be reviewed together.Obtaining TOPIK Level 3 does not automatically grant F-2-R; all requirements such as academic background or income, workplace, residence, local government recommendation, and allocated quota must be checked.F-2-R Special Employment for Small Business Owners is also in effectFrom May 18, 2026, the 'Regional Vitality Small Business Owner Employment Special Exemption' is being implemented to make it easier for small business owners and agricultural corporations in population-declining areas to employ F-2-R foreigners.Previously, a business had to have at least one Korean worker to employ an F-2-R foreigner, but if the special exemption requirements are met, a business with no Korean workers can also employ one F-2-R foreigner.The main application requirements are as follows:Operation period: May 18, 2026 ~ December 31, 2027Target regions: 89 population-declining areas nationwideTarget businesses: Small business owners or agricultural corporationsPermitted industries for small business owners: Manufacturing, wholesale/retail, restaurant industryAgricultural corporations: Applicable regardless of industryBusiness operation period: 3 years or moreSales: Previous year's sales of 100 million KRW or moreHowever, even if the previous year's sales are less than 100 million KRW, it may be recognized if the average of the last 2 years is 100 million KRW or more.This special exemption is a system that expands the possibility of F-2-R employment for businesses. Working at such a business does not automatically grant F-2-R to the foreigner; the foreigner's own visa requirements and local government recommendation requirements must also be met separately.2. Regional Specialized Skilled Worker E-7-4RE-7-4R is a regional specialized skilled worker visa created to allow non-professional workers to work as skilled workers for a long period in population-declining areas or areas of interest for population decline.Basic TargetForeigners who have stayed in Korea for 2 years or more with the following statuses of stay are the main targets:Non-professional employment E-9Crew employment E-10Visiting employment H-2Along with this, it is granted on the condition of receiving a local government recommendation and residing and working in a population-declining area or an area of interest for population decline for 3 years or more.Wage·Employment Contract·Korean Language RequirementsE-7-4R considers the wage, Korean language, length of service, and employing company requirements of the E-7-4 skilled worker points system together.The general E-7-4 standards for 2026 are as follows:Total 200 points or more out of 300, including bonus pointsAnnual salary of 26 million KRW or more for general industriesAnnual salary of 25 million KRW or more for agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and coastal shippingEmployment contract for 2 years or more in the futureTOPIK Level 2 or higher, completion of Social Integration Program Level 2, or assignment to Level 3 or higher in the pre-evaluationRecommendation from current employing company and local governmentE-7-4R is a regional specialized pathway with relaxed domestic stay period requirements compared to general E-7-4, but the actual points, number of employable persons per workplace, industry, contract period, and wage requirements must be checked together with the local government recruitment announcement and Ministry of Justice operational standards for the relevant year.2026 E-7-4R Key Improvements① Employment limit for agriculture, livestock, and fisheries expanded from 30% to 50%From June 2026, businesses in the agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors can employ skilled workers E-7-4 up to 50% of their Korean workforce.Small agricultural, livestock, and fisheries businesses with 4 or fewer Korean workers can employ up to 2 skilled workers regardless of the foreign employment ratio.This improvement applies equally to general E-7-4 as well as regional specialized E-7-4R.② Previous work experience also recognized for job changes not attributable to the foreignerIn cases where the workplace is changed due to reasons not attributable to the foreign worker, such as business suspension/closure, assault, or wage arrears, the work period at the previous business and the current business can be combined.For example, if a worker worked for 9 months at a previous business and then changed jobs due to closure, and has worked for 4 months at the current business, previously only the 4 months at the current business were recognized, but now the work periods of both businesses can be combined and recognized as 1 year and 1 month of continuous service.This special exemption applies to the 1-year work requirement for business recommendations and bonus points for long-term service at the current workplace.③ Fine limit criteria relaxed from 1 million KRW to 3 million KRWThe regional specialized visa work processing guidelines, effective August 3, 2026, reflect the work directive of July 9, 2026.Accordingly, the fine limit criteria related to E-7-4R have been relaxed from the existing 1 million KRW or more to 3 million KRW or more, and a new processing method has been established for cases of moving between businesses operated by the same employer.However, an E-7-4R permit is not automatically possible just because the fine amount is less than 3 million KRW. Repeated legal violations, immigration control law violations, illegal stay, tax arrears, and the content and number of crimes may be reviewed separately.3. Regional Specialized Overseas Korean F-4-RF-4-R is a regional specialized overseas Korean stay system created to allow overseas Koreans with foreign nationality to settle in population-declining areas with the recommendation of a local government.Main ConditionsOverseas Koreans with foreign nationalityRecommendation from a local governmentReside in a population-declining area for 2 years or moreMaintain regional residence and stay requirementsMeet legal compliance and stay management requirementsThe Ministry of Justice operates a special exemption for F-4-R that relaxes employment activity restrictions to allow simple labor employment and relaxes the livelihood maintenance ability requirement when changing to permanent residency F-5 in the future.The content in previous articles stating that 'one must move as a family unit' should not be taken as a nationwide mandatory requirement. While family accompaniment or family settlement may be used as preferential conditions by local governments, the current nationwide common system overview released by the Ministry of Justice highlights local government recommendation and 2 years or more of regional residence as key conditions.2026 F-4 Employment Restriction Scope Also Newly OrganizedFrom February 12, 2026, the new 「Overseas Korean F-4 Status Employment Activity Restriction Scope Notice」 is in effect.F-4 overseas Koreans with foreign nationality who reside in a city/county/district targeted by the regional specialized visa project may not be subject to general F-4 employment restrictions even if they engage in simple labor and some restricted occupations within the metropolitan city or province where their residence is located.However, employment that violates good morals or social order, as follows, continues to be restricted even in regional specialized visa areas:Gambling-related business establishmentsEntertainment workers in entertainment barsBusiness establishments that violate good moralsOther occupations that may harm social orderTherefore, obtaining F-4-R does not mean that one can freely work in all industries anywhere in the country. Regional residence requirements, employment areas, and restricted occupations must be checked together.4. Regional Specialized Visa Target Areas89 Population-Declining AreasF-2-R and F-4-R are primarily operated in population-declining areas. E-7-4R can utilize both the population-declining areas and population-declining interest areas below.Busan: Dong-gu, Seo-gu, Yeongdo-guDaegu: Nam-gu, Seo-gu, Gunwi-gunIncheon: Ganghwa-gun, Ongjin-gunGyeonggi: Gapyeong-gun, Yeoncheon-gunGangwon: Goseong-gun, Samcheok-si, Yanggu-gun, Yangyang-gun, Yeongwol-gun, Jeongseon-gun, Cheorwon-gun, Taebaek-si, Pyeongchang-gun, Hongcheon-gun, Hwacheon-gun, Hoengseong-gunChungbuk: Goesan-gun, Danyang-gun, Boeun-gun, Yeongdong-gun, Okcheon-gun, Jecheon-siChungnam: Gongju-si, Geumsan-gun, Nonsan-si, Boryeong-si, Buyeo-gun, Seocheon-gun, Yesan-gun, Cheongyang-gun, Taean-gunJeonbuk: Gochang-gun, Gimje-si, Namwon-si, Muju-gun, Buan-gun, Sunchang-gun, Imsil-gun, Jangsu-gun, Jeongeup-si, Jinan-gunJeonnam: Gangjin-gun, Goheung-gun, Gokseong-gun, Gurye-gun, Damyang-gun, Boseong-gun, Sinan-gun, Yeonggwang-gun, Yeongam-gun, Wando-gun, Jangseong-gun, Jangheung-gun, Jindo-gun, Hampyeong-gun, Haenam-gun, Hwasun-gunGyeongbuk: 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-gunGyeongnam: Geochang-gun, Goseong-gun, Namhae-gun, Miryang-si, Sancheong-gun, Uiryeong-gun, Changnyeong-gun, Hadong-gun, Haman-gun, Hamyang-gun, Hapcheon-gun18 Population-Declining Interest AreasPopulation-declining interest areas are mainly included in the E-7-4R target areas.Busan: Geumjeong-gu, Jung-guIncheon: Dong-guGwangju: Dong-guDaejeon: Daedeok-gu, Dong-gu, Jung-guGyeonggi: Dongducheon-si, Pocheon-siGangwon: Gangneung-si, Donghae-si, Sokcho-si, Inje-gunJeonbuk: Iksan-siGyeongbuk: Gyeongju-si, Gimcheon-siGyeongnam: Sacheon-si, Tongyeong-siEven if designated as a population-declining or interest area, not all local governments constantly recruit for all visa types. The recruitment period, allocated quota, priority selection occupations, and university/corporate linkage conditions for each local government must be checked.5. Regional Specialized Visa Application ProcedureThe regional specialized visa generally proceeds in the following order:Step 1. Check recruitment announcement for desired regionFirst, confirm if the region where you wish to work or settle is a regional specialized visa target. Then, check the recruitment period and remaining quota in the 2026 recruitment announcement of the relevant city/province or city/county/district.Step 2. Check foreigner and business requirementsForeigners must check their current status of stay, domestic stay period, academic background, income, Korean language proficiency, and history of legal violations.Companies must check their business location, industry code, number of Korean employees, number of foreign employees that can be hired, sales, and whether there are any wage arrears or tax arrears.Step 3. Prepare employment contract and residenceIf applying on the condition of employment, prepare the labor contract and business documents, and secure a residence within the recommended region.Step 4. Apply for local government recommendationApply for a recommendation letter to the city/county/district or the relevant regional implementing agency. Receiving a recommendation letter does not mean the visa has been finally approved.Step 5. Apply for immigration stay permitAfter receiving the local government recommendation letter, apply for a change or extension of status of stay at the competent immigration office.Employment or change of status of stay must proceed after immigration approval is completed. The F-2-R special employment for small business owners also advises starting employment after going through the employment contract, metropolitan local government recommendation, and immigration approval.Frequently Asked QuestionsQ. Can I apply for F-2-R with TOPIK Level 3 now?From August 3, 2026, the basic Korean language requirement can be met.However, you must also meet all requirements such as a domestic associate degree or higher academic background or income equal to or higher than the metropolitan local government's living wage, local government recommendation, employment/business startup and residence requirements, legal compliance, and regional quota. A visa will not be issued with TOPIK Level 3 alone.Q. I haven't completed Social Integration Program Level 3, but I received Level 4 in the pre-evaluation. Is it recognized?Yes. In addition to completing Social Integration Program Level 3, if you are assigned to Level 4 or higher in the pre-evaluation, it can be recognized as a basic Korean language requirement for F-2-R.Q. If I worked for 2 years with E-9, can I get E-7-4R?2 years of stay is one of the basic conditions to be eligible for E-7-4R.For actual application, additional requirements such as E-7-4 points, Korean language, annual salary, employment contract of 2 years or more, number of employable persons at the business, company recommendation, and local government recommendation must be met.Q. Can I apply for E-7-4R even if I have been fined 2 million KRW?According to the revised guidelines, the fine limit criteria have been relaxed from 1 million KRW to 3 million KRW.However, the permit decision is not solely based on the fine amount. Other disqualifying factors such as the type and number of crimes, immigration control law violations, illegal stay, and tax arrears may be reviewed together, so individual confirmation is required before applying.Q. If I get F-4-R, can I work in simple labor in restaurants or manufacturing?If you reside in a regional specialized visa project target area and work within the metropolitan city or province where your residence is located, you may not be subject to the general F-4 simple labor employment restrictions.However, occupations that violate social order, such as entertainment and gambling, continue to be restricted, and if you move your residence or workplace outside the region, you must reconfirm the stay requirements.Check regional jobs and visa conditions togetherThe regional specialized visa can be a good opportunity for foreigners who wish to work and settle stably in rural areas.However, even for the same F-2-R or E-7-4R, the result may vary depending on the applicant's current visa, academic background, Korean language proficiency, work experience, as well as the business's region, industry, sales, number of Korean employees, and the local government's remaining quota. In particular, the regional specialized visa is not a visa that can be automatically obtained simply by getting a job in the target area. Before deciding on a workplace, you must first check the recruitment status of the region, recommendation requirements, and the number of foreign employees that can be hired.JOBPLOY provides various recruitment information and visa guides to help foreign job seekers find jobs that match their visa and career, and to help companies check the status of stay and work possibilities of the foreigners they intend to hire. JOBPLOY will provide more accurate and practical information so that foreigners who want to work long-term in Korea and companies that want to hire skilled foreign talent do not miss opportunities due to complex visa issues.※ This article is a general guide based on Ministry of Justice notices and public data as of August 3, 2026. Actual recommendation and stay permit standards may vary depending on local government recruitment announcements, the applicant's stay history, and the review of the competent immigration office.