South Korea: Top-Tier Visa Expanded

Effective June 1, 2026, the Ministry of Justice expanded the scope of South Korea's Top-Tier Visa, a program implemented in 2025 that is designed to attract highly skilled foreign professionals, to include professors and researchers in science and technology fields. Previously focused on strategic industries such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and biotechnology, the visa grants eligible applicants and their families long-term F-2 residence status, with a pathway to permanent residence after three years.  

Applicants generally must possess a master's or doctoral degree from a top 100 global university, have at least eight years of professional experience (including three years at a top 500 company) and secure employment with a high-tech domestic company offering a salary of at least three times South Korea's per capita gross national income. Under the expanded program, researchers and academics are assessed based on criteria such as internationally recognized awards, research publications, contributions to the commercialization of technology and research experience. Eligible individuals may remain in South Korea for up to two years on a jobseeker visa while seeking qualifying employment. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.