A new visa category seeks to woo foreign talent in science and technology. Shown is Syed Sheraz Ali, a Pakistani national who graduated this year with a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). (KAIST)

By Koh Hyunjeong

The Ministry of Justice on Sept. 23 announced its plan to launch the visa track K-star (Korea Science and Technology Advanced Human Resources) to attract top foreign talent in science and technology.

K-Star is designed to help global talent who will lead the future of the nation's science and technology to settle in the country stably.

Fast-track programs for permanent residency and naturalization had been the exclusive domain of graduates of five sci-tech schools: Korea Advanced Institute of Technology; Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology; Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology; Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology; and the University of Science & Technology.

The new visa track expands fast-track eligibility to international graduates of 20 general universities. Those recommended as excellent talent by a university participating in K-star can apply for the F-2 resident visa without employment requirements.

And K-star has halved the period of stay required to obtain permanent residency from six years to three.

Minister of Justice Jung Sung-ho said, "We will form a close cooperative structure with universities to allow foreign talent to gain permanent residency and naturalization." 

hjkoh@korea.kr