Gyeonggi Province to Introduce 'Regional Visa' to Attract Foreign Tech Talent

Gyeonggi Province is moving forward with a plan to introduce the "Gyeonggi-type Regional Visa" for foreigners working in specific activity (E-7) fields, such as information technology (IT), robotics, computer science, energy technology, as well as finance and management professionals.

According to Gyeonggi Province on February 13, the province submitted an application to participate in the Ministry of Justice's "Regional Visa Pilot Project" on February 7.

According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, 27.5% of the shortage of industrial technical personnel is concentrated in Gyeonggi Province. In order to meet this demand for skilled workers in the industrial sector and attract outstanding foreign talent, Gyeonggi Province is actively considering the introduction of the "Gyeonggi-type E-7 (Specific Activity) Regional Visa."

The employment scope for Specific Activity (E-7) visas covers fields designated by the Minister of Justice as requiring the introduction of foreign professionals with specialized knowledge, skills, or expertise, particularly to enhance national competitiveness. The "Gyeonggi-type Regional Visa" consists of a total of 87 occupations across three categories: 67 management and professional occupations, 10 semi-professional occupations, and 10 general skilled occupations.

Gyeonggi Provincial Government

If Gyeonggi Province is selected as a project region by the Ministry of Justice in March, it will be able to pilot the regional visa system for 21 months, from March 31 of this year until the end of December next year, with eased eligibility requirements and enhanced preferential conditions. The number of visas to be issued will be determined by the Ministry of Justice's review.

With the introduction of the Gyeonggi-type E-7 Regional Visa, the province expects not only a reduction in factors leading to illegal stays among outstanding migrant talent, but also an enhancement of competitiveness in advanced industries within the province, such as semiconductors, automobiles, artificial intelligence (AI), and batteries.

Kim Wonkyu, Director of the Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Bureau of Gyeonggi Province, expressed his expectations, stating, "As seen in both modern times and historical examples from advanced countries, attracting and embracing global talent and achieving social integration with local citizens form the foundation for regional and national development. The Gyeonggi-type Regional Visa will also contribute to the employment of outstanding international students and the alleviation of workforce shortages in the province, thereby promoting the development of advanced industries."

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