Korea to Grant Residency Visas to Top STEM Graduates
- Yul So
- Oct 2
- 1 min read
Updated: Oct 9
Oct 2, 2025
Yul So
The South Korean government is expanding residency visa opportunities to attract outstanding international talent in science and technology.
On September 23, the Ministry of Justice announced the launch of the new “K-STAR Visa Track”, with applications for participating universities open until October.
Previously, the fast-track program for permanent residency and naturalization in the science and technology field was limited to graduates of five elite institutions, such as KAIST. Under the revised system, about 20 additional universities will be designated to join the program.
International students recommended by these universities will be able to apply for residency (F-2 visa) immediately upon graduation, without employment requirements. The path to permanent residency will also be shortened from a minimum of six years to just three.
The initiative aims to help foreign master’s and doctoral graduates continue research in Korea under more stable conditions.
The Ministry expects the number of qualified international talents benefiting from the program to rise from around 100 to about 400 per year. A private evaluation committee will review applications, and the list of selected universities will be announced in December.
