“Gyeongsangbuk-do is serious to ‘regional specialized visa’ project”

On the 5th, Gyeongsangbuk-do distributed a press release announcing that they have got selected for the ‘regional specialized visa’ pilot project contest of Ministry of Justice.

The regional-specific visa is a policy designed for the purpose of granting special visa cases to foreigners who need it in the region to encourage settlement in the local community, promote local economic activity, and suppress population outflow.

Excellent local talent (foreign residents) and compatriots can participate in the pilot project, which will be implemented for one year from October this year.

Foreigners who meet the basic requirements of the Ministry of Justice and regional specializations work at a job in a declining population and reside for a certain period of time, residence visas and compatriot visas are first given.

Gyeongsangbuk-do selected four cities and counties as areas where project will be held: Yeongju-si, Yeongcheon-si, Uiseong-gun, and Goryeong-gun considering the industrial structure, acceptability of foreigners, and the will to forward the work of the local government.

Gyeongsangbuk-do, actively support

To promote this project, Gyeongsangbuk-do plans to form a ‘regional specialized visa TF team’ to provide equal opportunities to newly arrived foreigners. In addition, customized settlement support programs such as housing support, Korean language education, and education support for accompanying children will be implemented so that there is no difficulty in initial settlement.

It is also planned to promote social integration programs to increase the acceptability of foreigners in the local area and workplace.

In addition, incentives will be provided to participating companies and universities to establish a job system through using foreign workers.

Companies that hire excellent foreign workers and compatriots will be supported with a portion of their personal expenses, and scholarships will also be provided to international students participating in university specialized visa regarding employment programs.

This is expected to contribute to strengthen the competitiveness of local universities by attracting international students and restoring the productivity of local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have been stagnant after the COVID-19 outbreak.

In addition, in order to resolve conflicts with Koreans, the organization and operation of a foreigner-Korean public-private consultative body, operation of an SOS emergency support team, and staff in charge of the family center are planning to be arranged to support the newly introduced foreigners so that they can harmonize with the local peoples.

Gyeongsangbuk-do Governor Lee Cheol-woo said, “I am delighted that the Ministry of Justice has introduced this system amid of a continuing declination in regional productivity due to an aging population as well as a decreased local population. I will try my best to do expand specialized visas to parents of foreign students and families of marriage immigrants. We will actively promote the perception that they are residents like us, and give generous support so that they can settle in the region and grow as healthy residents.”

Reporter Hasung Song