"Foreign Talents as a Growth Engine"...Ministry of SMEs and Startups Accepting Special Naturalization Applications Year-Round

Applications Accepted Online Starting February 11

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on February 10 that it will accept applications on a rolling basis for recommendations for special naturalization from outstanding foreign talents working in private companies and in new industry sectors.

The special naturalization program for outstanding talents is a system operated by the Ministry of Justice that grants Korean nationality to foreigners who are recognized as having exceptional abilities in fields such as science, economy, culture, and sports, and who are expected to contribute to the national interest.

To be eligible for review for special naturalization, applicants must either have internationally recognized awards or research achievements, or receive recommendations from public institutions such as central government ministries. As the competent ministry, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups plans to take the lead as a recommending institution for special naturalization in the private corporate sector, in order to identify and attract global outstanding talents who will contribute to the Korean economy.

The fields recommended by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups are four in total: employees of domestic and foreign companies and foreign-invested companies; employees in new industry and advanced technology sectors; holders of original technologies; and holders of intellectual property rights. Those who meet the basic requirements for special naturalization in each field may apply.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups plans to comprehensively review the applicant's qualities and capabilities, excellence of career, role and performance within the company, and potential to contribute to the national interest in the future, and then decide whether to issue a recommendation. Those who receive a recommendation will apply for special naturalization to the Ministry of Justice and will ultimately be granted naturalization approval after deliberation by the Nationality Deliberation Committee.

Cho Kyungwon, Director General for Startup Policy, said, "We hope that verified global talents will go beyond simple residence and settle stably in our society as 'members of the Korean economy' through special naturalization," adding, "We will continue to actively pursue policies to attract promising overseas startups and innovative talents, thereby securing new growth engines for the domestic economy."

Global talents in the private corporate sector who wish to receive a recommendation for special naturalization can check the detailed requirements and apply from February 11 through the 'K-Startup Portal' or the 'Global Startup Center' websites.

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