South Korea has introduced new visa rules aimed at attracting top international talent in science and technology, significantly broadening opportunities for researchers and research students. Under these new regulations announced by the Ministry of Justice on July 1st, prestigious Korean universities listed in global rankings can now invite undergraduate students from leading international institutions in science and engineering as research students.
Previously limited to a few specialized research institutions like KAIST and UNIST, the scope now includes universities ranked in the top 200 of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings or the top 500 of QS World University Rankings. This move aims to enhance Korea’s ability to attract global research talent, addressing previous constraints in the country’s higher education landscape.
Moreover, the requirements for research visas (D-2-5) and researcher visas (E-3) have been relaxed. Applicants no longer need a master’s or doctoral degree exclusively; graduates from prestigious universities or authors of significant academic papers are eligible regardless of work experience. Specifically, primary authors, co-authors, or corresponding authors of papers indexed in global citation indices like SCIE or A&HCI qualify, reducing previous requirements for foreign master’s degree holders.
The policy shift underscores Korea’s commitment to enhancing its research and development capabilities by facilitating broader exchanges and interactions between foreign and domestic researchers. It aims to foster a more vibrant academic environment and strengthen Korea’s position as a global hub for scientific innovation and collaboration.
These reforms complement other initiatives aimed at providing foreign researchers with enhanced residency support and access to government R&D funds, further aligning Korea’s policies with its goals of fostering innovation and technological advancement in key sectors like semiconductors.
Overall, these changes are poised to make South Korea a more attractive destination for top-tier international researchers, contributing significantly to the country’s scientific and academic landscape while bolstering its global competitiveness in science and technology.
