Support for Foreign Youth Growing Up in Korea

The goal is to support foreign youths who have established their foundation of growth in Korea, allowing them to achieve self-sufficiency through employment and residency in the country, even if they choose not to pursue higher education after graduating from high school.

Table of Contents

1. Common Requirements and Submission Documents

1) Requirements for Establishing a Foundation in Korea

A) General Applicants

Eligibility Criteria: Individuals must meet all of the following conditions:

Legally residing in Korea and aged 18 to 24 at the time of application.
Must have resided in Korea for at least 7 years prior to turning 18.
- Note: Any time spent abroad for 91 days or more during the period will not be counted.
There should be no record of residing abroad for over 3 consecutive years during the ages of 10 to 18.
Must have graduated from or attained equivalent education to Korea’s elementary, middle, and high school as per the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
- High school seniors applying for a change of status for the purposes of employment or training can submit a graduation expected certificate issued by the school for recognition of graduation.

B) Exceptional Cases

Individuals who meet conditions 1 to 3 but do not fulfill condition 4:
Must complete a social integration program.
Depending on graduation status:

For those who have not completed elementary school but graduated from middle or high school, a basic program consisting of 5 levels must be completed.
For those who have graduated from elementary school but not middle or high school, a specialized program with 5 levels must be completed.

Note: The social integration program can be applied for via the Ministry of Justice’s Social Integration Information Network at www.socinet.go.kr.

C) Long-term Stay Abroad

Those with long-term stays abroad need to submit a written explanation and supporting materials.
Failure to provide valid reasons for long-term stays abroad may impact the approval process. Therefore, it’s crucial to prepare the explanation diligently.
If individuals have had a single trip outside the country for more than 6 months or if the total duration of overseas stays in the last 7 years sums to over 2 years but under 3 years, they are required to provide documentation.

2) Compliance with Legal and Behavioral Standards

Compliance with good conduct standards applicable to minors as per the Immigration Control Act (F-5-3 visa).
Reference: The Immigration Control Act, Article 10-3 (2) (1): Must exhibit good conduct in accordance with Korean laws.
Individuals falling under the exclusion criteria as outlined in Article 5 (2) of the Act on the Immigration and Legal Status of Overseas Koreans are restricted.

3) Common Submission Documents

The following documents are required for applying for a change of residency status for job seeking (D-10-1), domestic growth talent (E-7-Y), or regional specialized talent (F-2-R):

Comprehensive application form
Passport and one standard-sized photo
Alien Registration Card
Proof of residence

For future change considerations for regional specialized talent (F-2-R), it is recommended to submit proof of actual residence rather than the workplace.

Graduation certificate or equivalent education proof from Korea’s elementary, middle, or high school
Document checklist for foreign youth with a growing foundation in Korea
Certificate of completion for the social integration program (if applicable)
Explanation and supporting materials for long-term overseas stay (if applicable)
Criminal background check from overseas (except for exemptions)

4) Conditions and Submission Documents for Different Residency Statuses

1) Job Seeker (D-10-1)

A) Change of Residency Status

Eligibility: Individuals fulfilling common requirements and seeking to engage in job-related training or job-seeking activities.
Exemptions: Exempt from point system and living expense proof.
Required Documents:
Common submission documents
Job-seeking activity plan

B) Extension of Residency Period

Required Documents:
Comprehensive application form, passport, alien registration card, proof of residence
Job-seeking activity plan

C) Reporting Internships and Changes in Training Institutions

Internship Start Reporting: Must report to the immigration office within 15 days of the reason arising.
Internship Duration: Allowed during the job-seeker status, but internship at the same company is restricted to a maximum of one year.
Internship Compensation: Must adhere to minimum wage levels per labor contracts.
Field of Internship: Excludes restricted industries contrary to good morals and social order.
Work Hours: Internship activities should comply with current labor laws, limited to 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week.
Change of Training Institution: Must report within 15 days of changing the institution.

2) Domestic Growth Talent (E-7-Y)

A) Change of Residency Status

Eligibility: Individuals fulfilling common requirements seeking employment outside restricted fields.
Exemptions: Exemption from education and experience requirements.
Required Documents:
Common review documents
Employment contract
Business-related documents

B) Extension of Residency Period

Required Documents:
Employment contract proving compliance with labor standards.
Certificate of employment.
Tax-related documentation.

3) Regional Specialized Talent (F-2-R)

A) Change of Residency Status

Eligibility: Individuals meeting common requirements and residing in a population-declining area for over 4 years with job seeker (D-10) or domestic growth talent (E-7-Y) status.
Exemption: Only residence requirement is applied for the change.
Required Documents:
Common review documents
Proof of economic activity, such as employment certificates.

B) Extension of Residency Period

Requirements: Must reside in a designated population-declining area.
Exemption: Only the residence requirement is considered for extending the residency period.
Required Documents: Comprehensive application form, passport, alien registration card, proof of residence.

3. Important Notes

Foreign youths growing up in Korea who wish to change their residency status after benefiting from the above exceptions may do so according to the criteria for each residency status.
Implementation Date: April 1, 2025.

Download Application Forms & Resources Here
Attached: Checklist for Applicants
Attached: Format for Long-term Stay Abroad Explanation
Attached: Job Seeking Activity Plan Template