The F-2-R visa is a residential (F-2) category visa created to prevent the decline of rural areas facing population loss and to revitalize local economies. It aims to attract foreign nationals who are well suited to each region’s specialized industries, universities, and employment landscape, with the goal of growing the active population in local communities and stimulating economic activity. Holders of this visa may live in a designated rural area and work freely across a wide range of fields.

Key operational details for 2025 to 2026

The program runs for two years, from 2025 to 2026. A total of 85 basic local governments are participating, with 5,072 F-2-R visa slots allocated overall.

  • Significant expansion of eligible areas: In addition to the existing 89 population-decline areas, 18 population-decline concern areas have been added, bringing the total to 107 areas. Local governments will be able to develop their own foreign talent attraction policies that reflect each region’s specific characteristics.
  • Higher Korean language requirement: The Korean language standard has been raised from Level 3 of the Social Integration Program (or TOPIK Level 3) to Level 4 (or TOPIK Level 4), so that people with strong Korean language skills can settle in local communities.
  • Greater freedom to work: Holders of the F-2-R (Region-Specific Talented Person) visa may now work freely at any business within a population-decline area that has a labor shortage.

Figures, deadlines, and the list of eligible local governments may change from year to year. Before applying, please check the latest information on HiKorea, by calling 1345 (the Immigration Contact Center), or at your local Korea Immigration Service office.

Process overview

  1. 1. Check eligible areas and remaining quota

    Contact the relevant city or county office to confirm whether the area where you plan to live and work is eligible for the F-2-R visa and whether any quota spots remain.

  2. 2. Check individual local government requirements

    Find out in advance about any additional requirements set by your target local government, such as age limits or graduation timing.

  3. 3. Obtain a recommendation letter from the local government head

    Submit the necessary documents to the mayor or county chief and receive your recommendation letter.

  4. 4. Confirm employment or business establishment

    Secure employment in a Ministry of Justice-designated industry within the area, or complete your preparations to start a business.

  5. 5. Prepare your documents

    Gather your passport, alien registration card, proof of education or income, proof of Korean language ability, employment contract, criminal record certificate, and any other required documents.

  6. 6. Apply at the Korea Immigration Service

    Submit your application for a change of residence status at the Korea Immigration Service office with jurisdiction over your area. It is convenient to make an advance appointment through HiKorea before visiting.

Who can apply

Any foreign national currently staying in Korea legally may consider applying, including holders of G-1-5 and G-1-6 visas.

Who cannot apply

A change of residence status is restricted if any of the following applies to you:

  • You have been granted an extension of your period of stay for the purpose of departure, or a deferral of your departure deadline.
  • Your F-2-R residence status was revoked within the past five years due to a violation of permit conditions.
  • You are currently in Korea on a short-term residence status and are a national of one of the following 21 countries: China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Mongolia, Thailand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Iran, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, or Peru.

Eligibility requirements

You must meet all of the following requirements at the same time.

1. Education or income (one of the two)

CategoryStandard
EducationHolder of, or expected to obtain within six months of the application date, a degree from a domestic junior college (two-year program) or higher
IncomeAt least 70% of the per capita Gross National Income (GNI) for the year preceding the application date

2. Place of residence

  • As of the application date, you must be actually residing within the local government area where you are applying for the F-2-R visa.
  • You must commit to continuing to reside in the relevant population-decline area for five or more years.

3. Employment or business establishment

For employment:

  • You must be employed, or have confirmed employment, in a Ministry of Justice-designated industry, with an employment contract of at least one year.
  • The salary stated in your employment contract must be at least 70% of the per capita GNI for the previous year.
  • Your workplace must be located within the recommended area (your place of residence and your workplace must be in the same basic local government area).
  • For the first two years from the date of permit, you must be employed or running a business in the recommended area. After two years, you may move your work location to another business area within the same metropolitan or provincial government.

For business establishment:

  • You must establish a business in a Ministry of Justice-designated industry, with a business investment of at least 200 million Korean won, and the business must be located within a local government area eligible for the Region-Specific Visa.
  • You must commit to continuing business activities in the relevant population-decline area for five or more years.

Figures and deadlines may change, so please confirm the latest information with 1345 or your local Korea Immigration Service office before applying.

4. Korean language ability

From 2025 onward, you must have achieved TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) Level 4 or above, or have completed KIIP (Korea Immigration and Integration Program) Stage 4 or above.

5. Recommendation letter from the local government head

You must obtain a recommendation letter from the mayor or county chief of the area where you are applying. The documents and procedures required to obtain a recommendation letter vary by local government, so please contact the relevant city or county office in advance.

6. Overseas criminal record certificate

You must submit a criminal record certificate issued by your home country or any other country where you have lived abroad.

Key documents required

The following are documents that are generally required. Additional documents may be needed depending on the local government, so be sure to check the latest list with the relevant local government and the Korea Immigration Service.

  • Passport and alien registration card
  • Proof of education (degree certificate, graduation certificate, expected graduation certificate, etc.) or proof of income (official documents such as an income verification certificate)
  • Proof of Korean language ability: TOPIK Level 4 or above score certificate, or KIIP Stage 4 or above completion certificate
  • Recommendation letter from the local government head
  • Employment contract or certificate of employment
  • Proof of place of residence (rental contract, property registry, etc.)
  • Overseas criminal record certificate (issued within the past three months)

For information about residence and employment reporting obligations (such as reporting a change of address), please also read the article Residence Obligations and Fines for Asylum Seekers: Reporting Extensions of Stay, Changes of Address, and Passport Changes.

Individual requirements by local government

Each local government may set additional requirements beyond the common requirements established by the Ministry of Justice. For example, some local governments only accept applicants who graduated within the past two years, or set an age limit of 20 to 29 years old. Please be sure to contact the relevant local government directly before applying to confirm their individual requirements.

Application process summary

  1. Check with the local government: Contact the relevant city or county office to confirm whether the area where you wish to live is eligible for the F-2-R visa and whether quota spots remain.
  2. Check individual requirements: Confirm any additional requirements set by that local government, such as age limits or graduation timing.
  3. Apply for the recommendation letter: Submit the required documents to the local government to request a recommendation letter.
  4. Confirm employment: Secure employment, or confirm that you have employment, in a Ministry of Justice-designated industry within the area.
  5. Apply at the Korea Immigration Service: Once all your documents are in order, apply for a change of residence status at the Korea Immigration Service office with jurisdiction over your area. It is convenient to make an advance appointment through HiKorea before visiting.

Figures, deadlines, and the list of eligible local governments may change from year to year. Before applying, please always confirm the latest information with 1345 (the Immigration Contact Center) or your local Korea Immigration Service office.