South Korea Launches K-STAR Visa Track to Attract STEM

The Republic of Korea has officially announced the K-STAR Visa Track, a landmark immigration initiative designed to attract world-class foreign talent in science and technology. The Ministry of Justice confirmed that the program will serve as a strategic tool to enhance South Korea’s global competitiveness in advanced fields, while also fostering long-term settlement opportunities for international professionals.

The K-STAR Visa Track specifically targets experts in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), with a strong emphasis on rapidly evolving areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and high-end engineering. Unlike short-term visa schemes, this track offers a clear pathway from temporary stay to permanent residency and, eventually, citizenship, ensuring South Korea remains a hub for high-caliber innovation.

South Korea: Key Features of the K-STAR Visa Track

1. Target Group: The visa aims to recruit more than 400 top-tier international STEM professionals annually, a significant expansion from the pilot system.

2. University Partnerships: Leading Korean universities will play a central role, recommending outstanding foreign students for residency opportunities.

3. Streamlined Entry: The program simplifies entry, stay, and settlement for high-skilled individuals, removing traditional employment-based barriers.

4. Retention Strategy: By offering favorable immigration conditions, the initiative seeks to prevent talent outflow and create a stable environment for foreign experts.

Benefits for Students and Professionals

The K-STAR Visa Track will be especially advantageous for international researchers, technologists, and scholars connected to Korean universities and research institutes. In addition, foreign graduates holding master’s or doctoral degrees from South Korean institutions will be eligible.

A notable highlight is that selected university presidents will have the authority to recommend exceptional foreign graduates. These students can immediately transition to F-2 residency status upon graduation, even without an employment offer—a first-of-its-kind provision in South Korea’s immigration system. After three years, eligible graduates may apply for permanent residency under the F-5 visa category.

South Korea: Pilot Results and Expansion Timeline

Since its pilot launch in early 2023, nearly 300 foreign nationals have secured F-2 residency through the system. Encouraged by this success, the Ministry of Justice plans to expand the program significantly:

• University applications will open in October 2025.

• Final selections of participating institutions will be announced in December 2025.

• Full implementation of the expanded K-STAR Visa Track is expected in 2026.

The ministry also emphasized its intention to conduct outreach programs, establish support channels, and collect feedback from science and technology stakeholders to refine the policy further.

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