Daily Busan
Regional Specialized Visas offer immigrants a path to permanent residency
Busan Metropolitan City will recruit foreign professionals for the 2025 Regional Specialized Visa Project from March 26 to April 25.
The initiative, led by the Ministry of Justice, aims to address labor shortages, boost local economies and stabilize population levels by helping foreign nationals and their families settle and work in depopulated areas.
In Busan, the designated areas include three districts experiencing population decline, Seo-gu, Dong-gu and Yeongdo-gu, and two at-risk areas, Jung-gu and Geumjeong-gu.
Visa holders are required to work and reside in these government-designated areas, with specific conditions varying based on the visa type.
Visa Categories and Changes
This year’s recruitment covers three visa types:
1) Regional Specialized Talent (F-2-R): Applicants must work and reside in a designated area, with some exceptions. For 2025, the Korean language proficiency requirement has increased from TOPIK Level 3 to Level 4. There are 150 F-2-R visas available in Busan.
2) Regional Specialized Skilled Workers (E-7-4R): This new visa gives non-professional workers (E-9), maritime crew (E-10) and visiting workers (H-2) a path to permanent residency. There are 159 E-7-4R visas available in Busan.
3) Regional Specialized Overseas Koreans (F-4-R): For 2025, there is no quota limit and applications are open until Sept. 30, 2026.
Application Process
F-2-R and E-7-4R visa applicants must submit the required documentation to their designated district office by 6 p.m. on April 25.
F-4-R visa applicants must submit the required documents to either the Seo-gu, Dong-gu or Yeongdo-gu district office.
For more information on visa types and eligibility requirements, visit the 2025 Regional Specialized Visa Project announcement page.
※ 2025 Regional Specialized Visa Project, until April 25
◎ Announcement: https://www.busan.go.kr/nbgosi/view?sno=71381&gosiGbn=A&curPage=1
※ Inquiries regarding the F-2-R visa:
◎ Seo-gu Office, Family Happiness Division: 051-240-4356
◎ Dong-gu Office, General Affairs Division: 051-440-4111
◎ Yeongdo-gu Office, Lifelong Education Division: 051-419-4525
※ For inquiries regarding the E-7-4R visa:
◎ Seo-gu Office, Family Happiness Division: 051-240-4356
◎ Dong-gu Office, General Affairs Division: 051-440-4111
◎ Yeongdo-gu Office, Lifelong Education Division: 051-419-4491
◎ Jung-gu Office, General Affairs Division: 051-600-4114
◎ Geumjeong-gu Office, Family Policy Division: 051-519-4365
◎ Busan Global City Foundation: 1577-7716 (consultation and interpretation service available)
◎ Busan Foreign Workers Support Center: 051-868-7606 (consultation and interpretation service available)
◎ Busan Foreign Residents Center: 051-304-0900 (consultation and interpretation service available)
※ For inquiries regarding the F-4-R visa:
◎ Seo-gu Office, Family Happiness Division: 051-240-4356
◎ Dong-gu Office, General Affairs Division: 051-440-4111
◎ Yeongdo-gu Office, Lifelong Education Division: 051-419-4491
◎ Busan Global City Foundation: 1577-7716 (consultation and interpretation service available)
◎ Busan Foreign Residents Center: 051-304-0900 (consultation and interpretation service available)
<Today's Vocabulary - 오늘의 단어>
recruit: 모집하다 labor: 노동의 shortage: 부족 boost: 끌어올리다 depopulated area: 과소 지역 district: 구역 proficiency: 유창성 permanent: 영구적인 residency: 거주 quota: 할당, 한도 requirement: 자격사항
Editor: Song Soomi
Copy Editors: Ryu Hyoseung, Anton J. Mapoy