Gwangju City Issues 'Local Government Head Recommendation Letters' for Skilled Foreign Workers

Non-professional and Visiting Employment Visa Holders Registered for Over 4 Years

30 Bonus Points Awarded... Addressing Industry Labor Shortages and Supporting Regional Settlement

Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor Kang Gi-jung) will issue local government head recommendation letters to foreign workers in accordance with the Ministry of Justice's '2024 Skilled Worker (E-7-4) Selection Plan.'

According to Gwangju City on the 19th, the 'Skilled Worker (E-7-4)' system allows foreign workers in simple labor fields who have accumulated skills through long-term work in Korea to convert their visa to a skilled worker visa, enabling long-term employment. This system aims to alleviate labor shortages in industrial sites and revitalize the local economy.

The Skilled Worker visa (E-7-4) can be extended every two years, allowing holders to stay for the duration of the contract with their employer. Family accompaniment is also permitted, which is expected to help resolve labor shortages in industries and support the stable settlement of foreign workers in local communities.

The eligible candidates are registered foreign workers who have stayed in Korea for more than four years under non-professional employment or visit employment visas and possess a certain level of Korean language proficiency (TOPIK Level 2 or higher, or completion of Level 2 in the Social Integration Program). They must meet at least 200 points out of a total of 300 qualification points for skilled worker conversion and be recommended by a company where they have been employed for at least one year as of the application date.

Gwangju City began issuing recommendation letters in February following the Ministry of Justice's announcement of the 'Innovative Expansion Plan for Skilled Workers (K-point E74).' Applications will be accepted until the quota is exhausted.

In particular, foreign workers who fully meet the skilled worker qualifications in terms of job proficiency and social integration but do not meet the minimum conversion score (200 points) due to factors such as average income or age will be granted an additional 30 recommendation points and recommended accordingly.

The quota allocated to Gwangju City this year is 67 people. If the allocated number is fully used during the operation of the system, additional expansion will be requested from the Ministry of Justice.

To apply for the skilled worker visa conversion, the foreign worker or the employing business owner must apply through HiKorea after receiving notification of Gwangju Metropolitan City's recommendation results.

Foreign workers who need a recommendation letter from Gwangju City should prepare the relevant documents and apply via email to the Foreign Residents Division of Gwangju City by December 15.

Joo Sang-hyun, head of the Foreign Residents Division, said, “The metropolitan local government recommendation system is expected to prevent the outflow of skilled foreigners and contribute to stable employment and community settlement. We will actively support foreign workers who work diligently at local companies to settle long-term and contribute to industrial revitalization.”

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