Busan City Launches Regional Specialized Visa Program

Busan City has announced plans to hold a Regional Specialized Visa Project Information Session on April 13 at 2 p.m. in the first-floor conference room of the Busan City Hall. The event targets foreign students, local universities, and companies interested in participating in the program, with the aim of resolving the local talent shortage and encouraging the settlement of international students in the region.

The information session, scheduled before the recruitment of regional talent via the specialized visa system, aims to offer insights into the visa program's objectives, application procedures, and employment-related initiatives. The "Regional Specialized Outstanding Talent Visa" is a scheme that awards residence (F-2) visas to extraordinary foreign individuals who fulfill specific criteria and commit to residing and working in depopulated areas such as Dong-gu, Seo-gu, and Yeongdo-gu.

The Regional Specialized Visa Pilot Project is designed to attract suitable foreigners to settle in the region, which will address the talent shortage faced by local companies and counter the depopulation issue. The project aims to create a virtuous cycle of expanded resident population, economic stimulation, and population inflow. Busan City has been selected for this project through a competitive process by the Ministry of Justice.

The eligibility criteria for the program include education, Korean language proficiency, compliance with laws and regulations, confirmed employment, and a commitment to work or reside in the depopulated areas for at least five years. Employment sectors allowed under the Regional Specialized Visa Program encompass a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, wholesale, accommodation, publishing, research and development, professional services, education, and healthcare.

During the information session, there will be presentations on the specialized visa pilot project by the Busan Immigration Office, an introduction to the application process by the Busan Foundation for International Cooperation, and a briefing on the employment-linked program for unemployed international students by the Busan Economic Promotion Agency. In addition, on-site applications for job seekers and companies interested in matching will be accepted.

Following the information session, Busan City intends to recruit candidates for local government recommendations via a separate announcement. In response to the initiative, city officials emphasized their commitment to actively support global talent from local universities. They stated that the program's objective is to facilitate the employment and settlement of international students in local companies, thus addressing the talent shortage and depopulation crisis. Furthermore, the city underscored its dedication to transforming Busan into a leading hub for attracting talent from diverse fields through the conscientious management of such projects.