South Korea Opens Applications for Revamped Metropolitan Visa Program – 2027-28 Quota Set at 3,000
- Editorial Team
- 22 hours ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 hours ago
SEOUL, August 25, 2026 — South Korea's Ministry of Justice has officially opened applications for the 2027-28 Metropolitan Visa Program, marking the full-scale launch of a redesigned system aimed at attracting foreign talent to regional industries and encouraging long-term settlement outside the Seoul metropolitan area .
Following a two-year pilot program that operated in 15 metropolitan local governments, the Ministry of Justice announced the comprehensive overhaul on August 24, 2026. Applications from local governments will be accepted through November 10, 2026 .
Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho emphasized that the reform is designed to address regional labor shortages while carefully managing the impact on local communities. "This overhaul is not simply about increasing the number of foreign workers," he said. "It is about refining the selection of talent needed by regional industries and responsibly connecting the process from studying and employment to family accompaniment, settlement and consumption in the regions" .
Published: August 25, 2026 | By VisasUpdate.com Editorial Team
Key Changes Under the Redesigned System
Feature | Pilot Program (2025-26) | Redesigned Program (2027-28) |
Total National Quota | 6,790 | ~3,000 |
Per Local Government | 60–1,000 | 50–200 |
Visa Types | D-2 OR E-7 (choose one) | BOTH D-2 and E-7 allowed |
Student Selection | All enrolled students eligible | First-year limited to D-4-1 or Korean high school grads; others after 1-2 semesters + evaluation |
Overseas E-7 Applicants | No pre-entry requirements | Must complete job training and meet Korean proficiency |
Spouse Work Rights | Not permitted | Spouses can work in same region |
D-2 to E-7 Transition | Limited | Incentives provided for graduates who find local employment |
Visa Types and Eligibility
D-2 Student Visa
The redesigned student visa track now functions as a "regional talent growth visa" directly tied to industry demand . Key changes include:
Requirement | Details |
First-Year Eligibility | Limited to D-4-1 Korean language training visa holders and foreign nationals who attended a Korean high school from their first year |
University Students | Must complete 1-2 semesters and undergo evaluation based on academic performance and Korean-language proficiency |
Major Requirements | Must be linked to industries with demonstrated workforce shortages in the region |
E-7 Specific-Activity Work Visa
The E-7 track prioritizes graduates already in the Korean system :
Criteria | Details |
Priority | International graduates of Korean universities |
Overseas Applicants | Must complete job training and meet minimum Korean-language requirements |
More Occupations | Expanded list of eligible professions |
Student Pathway:
Study under Metropolitan D-2 visa
Find employment in same region after graduation
Transition to Metropolitan E-7 visa with incentives
Spouses permitted to work within the region
Quota Allocation
The total program quota has been significantly reduced from 6,790 to approximately 3,000 people to allow local governments to more closely manage participants and prevent indiscriminate recruitment .
Allocation | Quota |
Per Metropolitan Local Government | 50–200 people |
Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City | Up to 250 people |
Total Program Quota | ~3,000 people |
"To prevent indiscriminate recruiting, the number of visa slots will be cut for each metropolitan-level local government from 60–1,000 people to 50–200, while the cap on participants will be cut from 6,790 to around 3,000."
Local governments may offer both D-2 study visas and E-7 work visas concurrently, with the combined quota not exceeding the per-government allocation .
Application Process for Local Governments
Step | Action |
1 | Conduct foreign worker demand survey for relevant industries |
2 | Gather input from businesses and other stakeholders |
3 | Submit proposal to Ministry of Justice |
4 | Ministry reviews and selects eligible programs |
5 | Program implementation begins in 2027 |
Key Dates
Date | Event |
August 24, 2026 | Application period opens |
November 10, 2026 | Application deadline |
2027 | Formal program implementation |
2027-28 | Program year |
Read Also
Official Resources
Resource | Link |
South Korea Ministry of Justice | |
Korea Visa Portal | |
Study in Korea |
For the latest immigration updates, visa policy changes, and 2026 developments worldwide, visit: visasupdate.com/blog/category/south-korea
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