Chungnam Launches 'Regional Specialized Visa Pilot Project' Operation

[Asia Economy (Hongseong) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Chungnam Province is operating a pilot project for region-specific visas. This project is promoted through a public contest led by the Ministry of Justice.

According to the province on the 7th, the purpose of the project is to induce foreigners suitable for the industry, universities, and job conditions in depopulated areas to settle locally, thereby expanding the living population, promoting economic activities, and realizing a virtuous cycle structure that suppresses population outflow.

In Chungnam, Boryeong City and Yesan County are conducting the project to support the settlement of foreigners in the region. The project is implemented by dividing it into the ‘Local Outstanding Talent Type’ and the ‘Overseas Korean Family Type.’

The Local Talent Type operates as a program that allows foreigners recommended by local governments to change their residence status to a residence (F-2) visa and supports their settlement.

Foreigners who promise to reside in the region for more than five years can participate in the program. Once issued the visa, they can work in industries designated by the local government and also invite family members.

The Overseas Korean Family Type is a special stay permit granted to overseas Koreans with foreign nationality and their families (spouse, children) residing in depopulated areas.

A provincial official said, “We will support foreigners who meet the mandatory residence period and employment requirements to settle stably in depopulated areas without infringing on jobs for nationals.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice held a selection committee composed of visa and integrated policy experts to review and finally selected four metropolitan local governments, including Boryeong City and Yesan County, and two basic local governments as project sites.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.