Regional Visas (F-2-R, E-7-4R) and the Path to Long-Term Stay

Which areas

• 89 areas with population decline (인구감소지역) – The 행정안전부 (Ministry of the Interior and Safety) chose these in October 2021.
• 18 areas of concern for population decline (인구감소관심지역) – These were added on top of the 89.
• In total, there are 107 areas. Many are counties (군) in Gangwon, Chungbuk, Chungnam, Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, Gyeongbuk, and Gyeongnam. The list also includes Busan Dong-gu, Seo-gu, Yeongdo-gu, and Geumjeong-gu; Daegu Nam-gu, Seo-gu, and Gunwi-gun; Incheon Ganghwa-gun and Ongjin-gun; Gwangju Dong-gu; Daejeon Daedeok-gu; and Gyeonggi Gapyeong-gun and Yeoncheon-gun.

The program for 2025–2026 runs as one multi-year plan. 85 local governments (city, county, or district) take part, and the plan is to give out 5,072 F-2-R places.

E-7-4R (regional skilled worker)

This type is for people working on an E-9 or E-10 visa.

Item	Details
Areas	Areas with population decline + areas of concern for population decline
Who can apply	People who stayed in Korea for 2 years or more in the last 10 years on E-9, E-10, or H-2 status, and who now work legally at a workplace as a registered foreigner (in areas with population decline, people who are looking for a job are also allowed)
Income and contract	Yearly pay of 26,000,000 원 or more, and a work contract of 2 years or more
Korean language	Level 2 or higher (TOPIK level 2, or level 2 of the 사회통합프로그램 (Korea Immigration and Integration Program, KIIP))
Review	Uses the same E-7-4 points system. Provinces and metropolitan cities give more extra points, so people working in areas with population decline get an advantage
Place-of-residence limit	3 years (after 2 years, you can move to another area with population decline in the same province or metropolitan city)
Allowed industries	Root industry companies (뿌리산업, basic manufacturing such as casting and welding), agriculture, forestry, livestock, and fishing businesses, general manufacturing companies, construction companies, and domestic regular passenger and cargo shipping companies
Where you can work	Any city, county, or district inside the province or metropolitan city that includes the area that gave you the recommendation letter
Family	You can bring your spouse and children under 19. Your spouse can work in simple labor jobs inside the eligible area

The biggest difference from the regular E-7-4 is the work experience you need. The regular E-7-4 needs 4 years or more, but E-7-4R needs only 2 years or more. But you must live and work in the set area for 3 years, and the industries are limited.

The regular E-7-4 has a lower pay standard of 25,000,000 원 for workers in farming, livestock, fishing, and domestic shipping. Ask your 출입국·외국인관서 (immigration office) whether this lower standard also applies to E-7-4R. (Official confirmation needed)

F-2-R (regional talented worker)

Item	Details
Areas	Areas with population decline
Who can apply	Foreigners living in Korea who get a recommendation from a local government (people on visas that cannot change status, such as D-3, D-4, E-6-2, E-8, E-9, E-10, G-1, and H-1, cannot apply)
Requirement 1	An associate degree or higher from a Korean school, or last year's income of 70% or more of the Gross National Income (GNI) per person
Requirement 2	Korean language level 4 or higher (TOPIK level 4, or KIIP level 4)
Place-of-residence limit	5 years (after 2 years, you can move to another area with population decline in the same province or metropolitan city)
Allowed industries	No limit (except jobs against public morals)
Where you can work	Inside the city, county, or district that gave you the recommendation letter (after 2 years, also other areas with population decline in the same province or metropolitan city)
Family	You can bring your spouse and children under 19. Your spouse can work (in the eligible area, in simple labor jobs)

You cannot change directly from E-9 or E-10 to F-2-R. But there is another way. First get E-7-4R. Then stay 3 years or more in an area with population decline or an area of concern for population decline. After that, you can change to F-2-R in an area with population decline.

Path to long-term stay (summary)

1. E-9 (up to 4 years 10 months)
2. → E-7-4R (2 years or more of experience on E-9 or E-10, in an area with population decline or an area of concern for population decline, live there for 3 years)
3. → F-2-R (change in an area with population decline after staying 3 years or more on E-7-4R)
4. → Consider permanent residence (F-5)

The Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act, Attached Table 1-3, says that an adult who has stayed in Korea for 5 years or more on E-7 or F-2 status can be eligible for permanent residence. There are other review standards, such as income, behavior, and basic knowledge of Korea. Before you apply, check with 하이코리아 (HiKorea, the government website for foreigners) or 1345.

Steps

1. Check if the place where you want to work (or now work) is an area with population decline or an area of concern for population decline.
2. Check if that local government (city, county, or district) runs the regional visa program this year, and if it still has recommendation places left. Ask the foreigner support office or the population policy office at the city hall, county office, or district office.
3. Apply for a recommendation from the local government. Each area has different application dates and documents.
4. When you get the recommendation letter, apply to change your visa status through 하이코리아 online services (전자민원) or at your 출입국·외국인관서.
5. After you get approval, follow the rules to live and work in the set area.

The fee for a change of status permit is 100,000 원.

Things to be careful about

• Not every area runs this program. Even in an area with population decline, if that city, county, or district does not take part, you cannot get a recommendation. Always check with the local government first.
• If you break the rules on where you live and work, your visa can be canceled. If you move to another area before the set period ends, or work in an industry that is not allowed, your stay permit can be canceled, or you can get an order to leave Korea.
• There is a quota (a limit on numbers). Each local government has a set number of places, so applications can close early.
• The requirements and numbers change every year. In 2025, the Korean language requirement went up from level 3 to level 4. Before you apply, check that year's program plan.
• Since June 2026, E-7-4 has a special rule on the number of workers a company can hire (50%) and a special rule on counting work periods. These rules also apply to E-7-4R in the same way.

Frequently asked questions

Q. I am on E-9 now. Can I apply for F-2-R right away? A. No, you cannot. E-9 is one of the visas that cannot change to F-2-R. First get E-7-4R and stay 3 years or more. Then you can consider F-2-R.

Q. How do I know if my area is an area with population decline? A. You can check the website of your city hall, county office, or district office, or ask the office in charge. The list is also in the attached files of the 법무부 (Ministry of Justice) regional visa program plan.

Q. Can my family work too? A. Your spouse can work in simple labor jobs inside the eligible area. Your children can go to school inside the city, county, or district that gave the recommendation letter.

Q. Can I move before I finish 3 years? A. With E-7-4R, after 2 years, you can move to another area with population decline in the same province or metropolitan city. Moving to a different province or metropolitan city is limited.

Q. Which is better, the regular E-7-4 or E-7-4R? A. If you have less than 4 years of experience and you work in an area with population decline, E-7-4R is faster. If you want to choose your area and industry freely, the regular E-7-4 is better.

Where to get help

• 외국인종합안내센터 (Immigration Contact Center) 1345 (many languages)
• 하이코리아 www.hikorea.go.kr (online services, notices)
• The foreigner support office at the city hall, county office, or district office where you will work or live
• Your 출입국·외국인관서