Korea offers easier pathway to citizenship for science, technology experts

The Ministry of Justice / Korea Times file

By Lee Hyo-jin

Starting this year, foreign nationals who have obtained advanced degrees in science and technology fields here will be offered an easier path to citizenship or permanent residency.

The Ministry of Justice announced on Sunday that the fast-track pathway for residency to science and technology experts, which had been running on a trial basis, will be expanded this year.

The new measures will enable eligible applicants to obtain permanent residency or citizenship in three years, down from the current six years.

Under the newly launched system, non-Korean nationals who have obtained a master's degree or a Ph.D. at universities or educational institutions specializing in science and technology ― designated by the government ― will be able to apply for an F-2 visa with a letter of recommendation from the dean, and regardless of their employment status.

The government has so far designated Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) and the University of Science and Technology (UST) as eligible institutions.

After obtaining an F-2 visa, foreign nationals can then apply for an F-5 visa granting permanent residency, or may also apply for “special naturalization.”

Those wishing to obtain permanent residency should meet certain qualifications such as having lived in Korea for at least three years. Those applying for citizenship will be assessed on their research results and they will be able to hold dual citizenship.

The justice ministry's move is a part of the government's effort to encourage global talent to stay in the country amid a growing brain drain. Recent surveys found that foreign nationals who have obtained an advanced degree here are choosing to leave the country due to the absence of any system guaranteeing stable visa conditions while they seek employment.