Iksan City Supports Foreign Skilled Workers with Visa Transition
Recruitment for Region-Specific Skilled Worker (E-7-4R) Visa Transition
On March 16, Iksan City announced the recruitment of foreign skilled workers for the newly established Region-Specific Skilled Worker (E-7-4R) visa. This initiative aims to help foreign talent settle stably in the area. The visa targets individuals who have lived in South Korea for over two years on non-professional work (E-9) or temporary work (H-2) visas during the last decade.
Requirements for Visa Transition
To qualify for the visa transition, applicants must have been employed with their current employer for at least one year and earn a minimum salary of 26 million KRW per year. Additionally, they need to secure an employment contract for at least two years and obtain a recommendation from their current employer. Meeting these criteria ensures that foreign workers enjoy stability in their residency and continued employment.
Application Schedule and Process
The application period runs from March 17 to December 22, and interested individuals can apply in person at the Iksan City Planning and Budget Department or the Job Center at the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province’s Economic and Trade Promotion Agency. Applications can also be submitted via email to a designated staff member at the Economic and Trade Promotion Agency. After application, candidates will undergo a qualifications review, with a list of endorsed applicants sent to the Ministry of Justice and immigration offices; applicants will then proceed with their residency qualification change through the Hi Korea website.
Residency Conditions Post-Visa Transition
Once the visa transition is approved, foreign applicants are required to reside in areas marked for population growth and attention within Jeonbuk Province for a minimum of three years. Accompanying family members, including spouses, are also permitted to stay, allowing for family-focused settlement. This policy is designed to not only attract new residents to the region but also to foster a stable living environment for skilled foreign workers.
Supporting Businesses Hiring Foreign Workers
To boost participation from companies hiring foreign workers, Iksan City plans to host information sessions about the visa transition program and promote the initiative through support organizations for foreign workers. Furthermore, to assist foreign workers in settling down, the city will operate a ‘Visa Upgrade Support Fund’. This program offers 300,000 KRW to foreign workers who transition to a skilled worker (E-7-4) or Region-Specific Skilled Worker (E-7-4R) visa and have resided in Iksan for over three months.
For more detailed information, please refer to the original article: Link