What Is the Region-Specific Visa?
Korea's population is concentrated around Seoul while many counties and small cities are shrinking. The region-specific visa programme (지역특화형 비자) lets foreign nationals who commit to living and working in those areas hold a resident status. The main status is F-2-R (지역특화형 우수인재, regional talent).
The Ministry of Justice guidelines set it out as a change of status: the applicant is a foreign national who is already staying in Korea legally. They do not describe an application made from abroad.
The Statuses in the Programme
| Group | Main status | Family (spouse, minor children) |
|---|---|---|
| Regional talent | F-2-R | F-3-1R |
| Regional skilled workers | E-7-4R | F-3-3R |
| Overseas Koreans | F-4-R (and F-5-6R for permanent residency) | F-3-2R |
Which Areas?
The programme runs in depopulation areas (인구감소지역) and depopulation "interest" areas (인구감소관심지역) whose local government has applied for a quota. The F-2-R rules below are for depopulation areas. Participation depends on the local government applying for a quota, so confirm with the provincial government before you plan a move.
Who Cannot Apply
- Holders of D-3, D-4, E-6-2, E-8, E-9, E-10, G-1 or H-1 status
- D-10 job seekers whose previous status was one of those
- Short-term visitors from countries named in a Ministry of Justice notice
- Anyone who held a region-specific status, or its family status, within the last 5 years
E-7-4 skilled workers can change to F-2-R once 2 years or more have passed since they obtained E-7-4, under conditions tied to their current job. E-7-4R holders can change after 3 years or more if they live in a depopulation area.
The Five Basic Requirements
- Recommendation. A recommendation letter from the head of the provincial or metropolitan government that covers the area. It is valid for 3 months and for one application.
- Education or income. Either an associate degree or higher earned in Korea, or annual income at or above that government's living wage (생활임금). Only the applicant's own income counts.
- Residence and work. An intention to live in the recommended area, or to work or run a business there, for 5 years or more.
- Korean ability. KIIP stage 3 or higher completed (or placement at stage 4 in the pre-assessment), or TOPIK level 3 or higher.
- Conduct. Good conduct and any other condition the Minister of Justice sets.
The degree route covers people who entered a Korean college or university, stayed in Korea for 2 years or more and completed the course. Students due to graduate within 6 months can apply with proof from the school.
Where You Must Live and Work
The rule is to keep living in the recommended area. For some provinces the Ministry allows variations, such as living in the recommended area and working elsewhere in the same province, or the reverse. Which variations apply depends on the province.
If you cannot move in before applying for the recommendation, the guidelines accept a move completed and reported within 30 days after the change of status.
Family
A spouse and minor children can be invited under F-3-1R. For a household of 4 or fewer, the main holder meeting their own income requirement is enough. Larger households must meet an income level that rises with family size.
How to Start
- Check that your current status is not on the excluded list.
- Contact the provincial or metropolitan government for the area you want and ask about its recommendation process and quota.
- Obtain the recommendation letter, then apply for the change of status at the immigration office within its 3-month validity.
Sources: Ministry of Justice region-specific visa guidelines annexed to the stay manual (September 2026 edition) | Last checked against these sources: October 2026
This article is for informational purposes only. Immigration rules change. Consult a qualified immigration specialist about your own case.