Foreign Tech Workers to Get Easier Visa Screening in South Korea

South Korea's government announced on July 1 that it will make it easier for skilled foreign technology workers to get visas. Two government ministries — the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy — revealed new rules for a program called K-Tech Pass. The changes are meant to help South Korean companies in advanced industries, like semiconductors and biotechnology, hire talented people from around the world.

Before this change, foreign professionals who wanted to work in South Korea's advanced industries had to meet very strict requirements. For example, they needed a master's or doctoral degree from one of the world's top 100 engineering schools. They also had to have worked at one of the world's top 500 companies or earned a salary at least three times South Korea's average national income. These rules made it hard for many skilled workers to qualify, even if they had strong talents.

Under the new system, applicants will be judged on both quantitative and qualitative factors. Quantitative factors are things you can measure with numbers, like test scores or years of experience, and they make up 65 out of 100 points. Qualitative factors, such as a person's specific technical skills and how much a company needs them, make up the other 35 points. Workers hired by small or medium-sized companies will get an extra 10 bonus points, which helps those businesses compete for talented workers.

The government also removed an old language rule that had been a barrier for many applicants. Previously, people applying for the top-tier visa had to pass at least Level 1 of the TOPIK, which is a Korean language test. Officials decided to waive, or get rid of, that requirement so that more highly skilled workers would not be turned away simply because of their Korean language level. This makes South Korea more welcoming to international talent.

The K-Tech Pass program offers more than just a visa. It provides foreign professionals with support for housing, education, and taxes so they can build a stable life in South Korea. Family members of visa holders can also stay in South Korea long-term, which makes the move easier for whole families. The visa connected to this program is called the F-2-T visa, created specially for workers in advanced technology fields.

South Korea is also adding a new track for foreign scholars recruited through government programs. This includes programs run by the Industry Ministry, the Health Ministry for biotechnology talent, and the South Korea AeroSpace Administration. These agencies are working together to bring top researchers and scientists to South Korea from around the world. Lee Min-woo, director general for industrial policy at the Industry Ministry, said the goal is to make sure that top foreign talent can settle comfortably and contribute to Korean companies for the long term.