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Work & skilled workersAnnouncementHigh impactVerified

South Korea's Ministry of Justice Completely Reorganises Regional Specialized Visa System Around Regional Industry and S

πŸ‡°πŸ‡· South KoreaWork Permits1 recorded versionLast change 27 Aug 2026
ConfidenceVery high Β· 100%

Current rules

The Ministry of Justice has now completely reorganised the Regional Specialized Visa system around regional industries and regional settlement. The revised system introduces several major changes. 1. Regional visa quotas will be recalibrated The Ministry says quotas will be adjusted to appropriate levels, rather than simply maintaining previous allocations. 2. Foreign-talent selection and verification will be strengthened The Ministry will strengthen the process for selecting and verifying foreign talent participating in regional visa programmes. 3. Local-government responsibility will increase Participating local governments will have greater responsibility for managing the foreign nationals brought into their regions. This makes local governments a more important part of the immigration-management process. 4. Regional industry becomes central to immigration selection The programme is being redesigned to connect foreign-talent recruitment to the specific industries and labour needs of individual regions. 5. Settlement becomes a central objective The Ministry is explicitly seeking to create a system connecting: education β†’ regional employment β†’ family accompaniment β†’ settlement β†’ local economic participation. 6. The 2027–2028 programme application process has opened Local governments can apply to participate in the new 2027–2028 Regional Specialized Visa programme from: 24 August 2026 β†’ 10 November 2026 at 18:00.

Overview

Korea's Ministry of Justice announced an expansion of the Top-Tier visa track to additional advanced technology fields, with faster permanent residence eligibility for qualifying specialists.

Who is affected by the latest change

  • Foreign nationals seeking regional employment in South Korea
  • Skilled foreign workers
  • International students seeking to remain in South Korea after study
  • Foreign graduates seeking regional employment
  • Foreign nationals seeking long-term settlement outside Seoul
  • Foreign workers seeking to bring eligible family members
  • Local governments participating in the Regional Specialized Visa programme
  • Regional employers with foreign-talent needs
  • Universities and other institutions involved in regional talent development

What changed in the latest version

Before

The Regional Specialized Visa system already helped South Korean regions attract foreign nationals. It did this based on local population and economic needs. However, the Ministry's full review found that the existing system needed major changes. The old system did not properly connect the visa programme to specific regional industries. It also did not focus enough on foreign residents settling for the longer term. So, the Ministry decided to completely change the system. It chose not to just continue with the old structure. The old system also used regional limits on visas and selection methods. The Ministry has now decided these need to be changed.

After

The Ministry of Justice has now completely changed the Regional Specialized Visa system. It now focuses on regional industries and regional settlement. The new system brings several big changes. 1. Regional visa limits will change. The Ministry says it will set visa limits at suitable levels. It will not simply keep the old limits. 2. Selecting and checking foreign talent will be stronger. The Ministry will make the process better for choosing and checking foreign talent. These are people who want to join regional visa programmes. 3. Local government responsibility will increase. Local governments taking part will have more responsibility. They will manage the foreign nationals who come to their regions. This makes local governments a more important part of how immigration is managed. 4. Regional industry becomes central to choosing immigrants. The programme is being changed. It will now link hiring foreign talent to the specific industries and job needs of each region. 5. Settlement becomes a main goal. The Ministry clearly wants to create a system that links: education β†’ regional jobs β†’ family joining β†’ settlement β†’ local economic spending. 6. The process to apply for the 2027–2028 programme has started. Local governments can apply to join the new 2027–2028 Regional Specialized Visa programme from: 24 August 2026 β†’ 10 November 2026 at 18:00.

South Korea is using immigration more and more. It is a way to deal with economic and population issues in regions. The Ministry's review found that the Regional Specialized Visa system needed a major redesign. The new approach aims to link immigration more directly to each region's industry needs. It also focuses on the long-term settlement of foreign residents. This is different from just using regional visas to bring foreign nationals into specific areas. The Ministry clearly states the reformed system will connect: study β†’ regional jobs β†’ family joining β†’ settlement and spending. This is important because it changes the programme. It now aims for foreign workers to settle long-term in regions. It no longer mainly sees them as temporary labour. The reform also gives local governments more responsibility. They will now attract, select, and manage foreign talent. This must fit their regional economic needs. For people who want to move to South Korea, this means where they want to live will matter more. What they can offer to the regional economy may also become more important. These factors will likely play a bigger part in getting regional immigration pathways.

Explained simply

Imagine South Korea wants to help its smaller towns and regions grow by bringing in talented people from other countries. They used to have a 'special visa' programme for this, but now they're completely updating it. It's like re-doing a puzzle; they're making sure all the pieces fit better. The new rules will specifically link people's skills and studies to jobs in these regions, making it easier for them and their families to live there long-term. This means if you want to study in South Korea and then work in one of these regional areas, the visa system will be designed to help you do just that.

Frequently asked

Version history

  1. v2Effective 24 Aug 2026AnnouncementHigh impact
    South Korea's Ministry of Justice Completely Reorganises Regional Specialized Visa System Around Regional Industry and Settlement

    South Korea's Ministry of Justice is completely changing its Regional Specialised Visa Scheme. This follows a full review. The new scheme was announced on 24 August 2026. It aims to better connect foreign talent with regional industries. It also wants to help them settle. Key changes include adjusting the number of visas available. It will also make the process for choosing and checking applicants stronger. Local governments will have more responsibility for overseeing the scheme. A new visa system will also start. This system will link studying abroad directly to regional jobs. It will also connect it to family joining, settlement, and local spending. Local governments can submit proposals for the '27–'28 project until 10 November.

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