The government of North Jeolla Province announced on March 18 that it would introduce a region-specific visa program aimed at attracting skilled foreign workers and ethnic Koreans living abroad. (Image courtesy of North Jeolla Province)
JEONJU, Mar. 19 (Korea Bizwire) – Faced with a continuing population decline, the government of North Jeolla Province announced on March 18 that it would introduce a region-specific visa program aimed at attracting skilled foreign workers and ethnic Koreans living abroad.
The new visa policy seeks to ease requirements for certain qualified foreigners and overseas Koreans, enabling them to obtain resident status and settle in regions grappling with shrinking populations.
Under the specialized visa scheme, two categories have been established: regional talent and overseas Koreans. Regional talent refers to foreigners who have obtained academic degrees, demonstrated Korean language proficiency, and committed to residing in underpopulated areas of North Jeolla Province. These individuals must secure a recommendation from the provincial governor.
The second category covers ethnic Koreans holding foreign citizenship who are willing to live for at least two years in depopulated regions of the province, also contingent upon the governor’s endorsement.
Applicants can submit the necessary documents to the job center at the Jeonbuk Business Agency or to relevant departments within their respective cities and counties. After a screening process, those granted the governor’s recommendation can directly apply for a change in residential status at the Jeonju Immigration Office.
To support the integration of foreign talent, North Jeolla Province has pledged to subsidize fees for the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) and provide vocational training programs to improve their professional competencies.
Additionally, the province, in collaboration with local municipalities, universities, and the Jeonbuk Business Agency, plans to organize job fairs targeting the 703 skilled foreigners already allocated by the Ministry of Justice under its regional talent program. This initiative aims to establish a comprehensive employment support system.
“By granting the region-specific visa to outstanding foreign individuals, we anticipate that they, along with their families, will be able to reside and work here, ultimately contributing to the economic development of our regions facing population decline,” said Na Hae-soo, the director of the Education Communication and Cooperation Bureau.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
