○ Focused on 12 occupations in advanced IT industries, with visa applications supported by the governor’s recommendation
○ Pilot program runs until 2026, online application available via Gyeonggi Civil Petition 24 (quota: 630)

Gyeonggi Province is introducing a customized visa program to attract foreign professionals in IT, caregiving, and other fields. Starting on Sep. 15, the province will implement the “Gyeonggi Provincial Visa Pilot Program” to ease labor shortages for businesses and help foreign residents settle more securely in the region.

The program allows foreign nationals to apply for a Specific Activities (E-7) visa with a recommendation letter issued in the governor’s name. It was designed in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice as a region-specific policy. The system is significant because businesses can more reliably hire the skilled workers they need while foreign nationals can secure a long-term stay in Korea.

The program covers 12 professional occupations, including 11 in advanced industries such as computer hardware, software, data, information security, and robotics (E-7-1), as well as 1 in caregiving (E-7-2). Gyeonggi Province plans to recommend up to 630 applicants by 2026.

Applications can be submitted online through Gyeonggi Civil Petition 24 (gg24.gg.go.kr). Applicants must provide documents proving eligibility, such as academic certificates, work histories, and employment contracts. After receiving a recommendation letter, they must apply for visa issuance or status change at an immigration office.

Detailed qualification requirements for each profession are available on the Gyeonggi Province website (gg.go.kr).

Heo Young-gil, Director of the Gyeonggi Province’s Immigrant Society Policy Division, stated, “We expect this program to strengthen competitiveness in advanced industries such as IT and stabilize the labor supply in caregiving,” adding, “We will continue to expand customized residency policies so foreign nationals and local communities can grow together.”