South Korea aims to attract more skilled workers

The South Korean government aims to attract more skilled foreign nationals by improving its visa system for jobseekers who have an advanced degree in local universities within the country.

It will roll out a fast-track visa system for foreigners with a master or PhD degree in science and information technology, guaranteeing them legal status during their job search period, according to The Korea Times. 

As of 2021, over 1.97 million residents currently reside in the country, which comprises 3.82% of the total population. About 170,000 international students are studying in universities in the country, with over half enrolled in courses studying topics other than the Korean language. 

The Ministry of Justice has also recently introduced a set of more open and inclusive immigration policies, aimed at attracting skilled workers to the country to maintain the country’s national growth amid the society’s population decline and ageing society. 

READ: South Korea raises minimum wage by 5.1% in 2022

The government will also introduce a new visa policy to attract foreign nationals in the entertainment and culture sectors, and expand support for children of undocumented foreign residents who were raised in the country at a young age.