F-2-R Regional settlement visa

Who this applies to

Holders of a Korean associate degree or above who will live and work or start a business in a designated area

What to know

• The procedure is what sets it apart. You do not apply to immigration directly — you must first obtain a recommendation from the local government.
• The academic requirement is a Korean associate degree or above; those graduating within six months of applying may also qualify, with confirmation from the university.
• The Korean language requirement was raised from KIIP stage 3 (TOPIK level 3) to stage 4 (TOPIK level 4) or above.
• You must actually live in the area and be able to work or start a business there.
• Eligible areas and quotas differ by local government and by year, including within Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongnam.

How it works

1. 1

   Check the current notice from the local government where your university is located.

2. 2

   Apply to that local government for a recommendation.

3. 3

   With the recommendation, apply to your local immigration office to change your status.

Common questions

Does studying in Busan make me eligible automatically?

No. Only designated areas qualify, and each local government sets its own notice and quota. Check first whether the area your university sits in is designated.

Why does the local government come first?

The scheme exists to encourage settlement in specific regions. The local government judges whether you are the kind of resident the area needs, and immigration then assesses your status on the strength of that recommendation.