**Foreign Policy Committee Held… Promotion of Foreign Caregiver Training**
**Acting President Choi: “Utilization of Foreign Manpower Is No Longer a Choice, But a Necessity”**
(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Hong Guk-gi – A new dedicated visa will be introduced to attract talented foreign professionals and young people in advanced industries to Korea.
On the 5th, the government convened the 30th Foreign Policy Committee at the Seoul government complex, presided over by Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, who also serves as the Minister of Strategy and Finance, to draw up this plan.
This month, the government decided to establish a ‘Top Tier Visa’ to attract foreign talent in cutting-edge industries such as semiconductors, displays, secondary batteries, bio, robotics, and defense.
To be eligible for this visa, applicants must meet all the following conditions: a master’s or doctoral degree from one of the world’s top 100 universities, more than 8 years of experience including 3 years at one of the world’s top 500 companies, an annual income that is three times the Gross National Income (GNI) per capita in Korea (approximately 140 million KRW or more), and a pending employment offer from a domestic high-tech company.
The Top Tier Visa provides a residence visa (F-2) with no employment restrictions to foreign talent and their families and even allows the invitation of parents and domestic helpers.
Additionally, in conjunction with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s ‘Advanced Industry Excellent Overseas Talent Support Program’ (K-Tech Pass), it offers various benefits, including a 50% reduction in earned income tax for up to 10 years.
Those who obtain a master’s or doctoral degree from a university ranked within the top 100 worldwide can be issued a job-seeking visa (D-10) allowing for two years of free employment exploration and preparation activities, even if employment in Korea has not been confirmed.
A ‘Youth Dream Visa’ will also be established to provide internship and other opportunities to young foreigners dreaming of the “Korean Dream,” particularly from UN member countries that participated in the Korean War or major economic cooperation countries.
From this month, a pilot project for ‘local government recommended visas,’ where metropolitan local governments recommend foreigners and the Ministry of Justice reviews and issues visas, will begin in earnest, reflecting local characteristics.
The ‘Visa-Residence Policy Proposal System’ is also being implemented to systematically and institutionally reflect the visa demands of the economic and industrial sectors.
In addition, in response to the rapidly increasing demand for caregiving services in Korea’s super-aged society, the government plans to promote the training and introduction of foreign caregivers.
Specifically, the government is preparing to select skilled, experienced local talent and create specialized training courses for caregivers domestically. It also aims to collaborate with metropolitan local governments to designate distinguished local universities as training schools for foreign caregivers.
Moreover, the government plans to bolster tailored social integration education for immigrants in response to the increasing diversity of foreign residents and stay types.
This includes integrating stay qualification visas for compatriots (H-2, F-4) and pursuing the institutionalization of the ‘Compatriot Stay Support Center,’ which will be responsible for social integration education.
Acting President Choi emphasized, “Utilizing foreign manpower is no longer a choice but a necessity to revitalize our economy and society.”