In a significant shift aimed at addressing labour shortages, South Korea's Ministry of Justice has announced a major overhaul of its region-specific visa programme. The total number of available slots for foreign nationals wishing to work outside the Seoul metropolitan area has been drastically reduced from 6,790 to approximately 3,000. This change comes as part of a broader strategy to refine the recruitment process for foreign workers.

The revised visa programme, which was unveiled on August 24, 2026, introduces stricter limits on the number of foreign workers that can be accepted in each region. Local governments will now see their individual allocations cut from a range of 60 to 1,000 down to just 50 to 200 participants. This move is intended to curb what officials have described as indiscriminate recruiting practices.

The new programme encompasses two key visa categories: the international student visa (D-2) and the professional work visa (E-7). Under the previous regulations, local governments were restricted to designing recruitment programmes around only one category. The new rules allow for greater flexibility, enabling regions to utilize both visa types simultaneously in order to better meet their specific labour and population needs.

In a bid to prioritise existing foreign residents, the updated system will give preference to foreigners already living in South Korea. New applicants from abroad will face additional requirements, including the completion of pre-entry training and passing a Korean-language proficiency test. Furthermore, local governments will assess each applicant's language skills and their genuine intent to settle in the region before making recommendations.

The restructuring of the visa programme also introduces new incentives for settlement. Foreign students who complete their studies on a regional D-2 visa will now have the opportunity to transition to a regional E-7 work visa, provided they secure employment in the same area after graduation. Additionally, spouses of E-7 visa holders will be allowed to work within the region, a change aimed at encouraging families to establish their lives and contribute to local economies.

Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho articulated the goals behind these reforms, stating, "This reform is not just about expanding the pool of foreign workers, but instead seeks to refine the system to carefully select the talent needed by regional industries and responsibly facilitate a smooth transition, from study abroad to employment, family accompaniment, settlement in a region and contribution to the area economy."

Applications for the 2027–28 edition of the programme are currently open, with a submission deadline set for November 10, 2026. This overhaul marks a pivotal moment in South Korea's approach to managing its foreign workforce, reflecting the government's commitment to addressing labour shortages while ensuring that the needs of regional industries are met effectively.