South Korea overhauls immigration policy to attract more highly skilled workers
The Straits Times
A new agriculture and fisheries skilled worker visa will also be introduced for seasonal workers. Read more at straitstimes.com.
SEOUL – The Ministry of Justice on March 3 announced a set of immigration policy overhauls to be implemented by 2030, including expanded visa quotas for skilled workers and extended visas for “high-performing” seasonal migrant workers.
The ministry said it had formulated the “2030 Immigration Policy Future Strategy” in response to falling birth rates and an ageing population, as well as rapid changes in industrial and technological environments.
“Immigration policy must be repositioned as a mid to long-term national strategy, moving away from the conventional model centred on attracting low-skilled, low-wage foreign labour,” the ministry said in a statement.
The plan includes expanding South Korea’s “Top-Tier Visa,” currently issued to professionals working in eight high-tech sectors, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence and robotics.
Eligibility will be broadened to include professors and researchers in science and technology fields.
The ministry also plans to introduce a new visa programme, the K-core Visa (E-7-M), to facilitate long-term stays for international students graduating from South Korean junior colleges.
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