A pilot project next year will issue region-specific visas. Shown are international students at the graduation ceremony of Hanyang University in Seoul's Seongdong-gu District. (University's official Facebook page)

By Kim Seon Ah

A pilot project from next year will issue visas customized for each domestic region.

The Ministry of Justice on Dec. 1 announced its pilot project to that end for 2025-26.

Metropolitan cities and local governments can design visa systems reflecting each area's traits to customize their economic and social needs in line with national immigration policy.

The project will initially target international student (D-2) and professional work (E-7) visas.

In March, provincial governments will be chosen for this system through evaluation by a region-specific visa review committee. The latter will be chaired by the vice minister of justice and include as members relevant government officials and private sector experts.

The ministry will conduct an annual evaluation of each region and offer benefits such as simplified procedures for visa issuance and expanded quotas to areas with high scores.

The annual evaluation criteria will include the social integration policy for expats of each region as a major item. The rates of quota fulfillment, participation in such policy and illegal stays as well as the proportion of foreign residents in a region will also be reflected in the assessment.

"The pilot project for the region-specific visa is the first step toward creating a link between national immigration policy and regional community development," Minister of Justice Park Sung Jae said. "We will keep actively pursuing customized immigration policies that reflect regional characteristics."

sofiakim218@korea.kr