By 
12-05-2026 | Roberta Moisuc | Asia Team Researcher, Global Human Rights Defence.
Since March 2026 up until May, South Korea has introduced several changes to its immigration policies for foreign workers and international students. The measures include expanded visa programs, faster access to permanent residency, eased work and residency requirements, and increased support for migrant workers in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, fisheries, and culinary training.
Since the beginning of March 2026 up until May, South Korea has announced major changes towards the country’s immigration policies and the easing of work and residency requirements for foreign workers.
In March 2026, South Korea’s Ministry of Justice announced a new strategy for immigration policies. Firstly, the plan expands the State’s Top-Tier Visa, which now includes professions such as professors and researchers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The new visa benefits will allow foreign workers to access permanent residency after 2 years, when it previously required a minimum of 3-5 years.
The Ministry of Justice’s plan also includes a new visa for foreign workers and graduates from fields of manufacturing, agriculture and fisheries. The visa will provide foreign workers with a 3-year stay that is renewable once, full workings rights, and mandatory employer-provided housing and insurance. Additionally, other changes include allowing foreign workers to work for small businesses in depopulated areas and new wage regulations.
In May 2026, the Ministry of Justice announced that it would ease immigration and residency requirements. The plan will reduce the experience and language requirements for foreign workers and students in the country on a culinary trainee visa. The program is designed to help international students train in Korean cuisine. Additionally, the Ministry of Employment announced on May 5th, 2026, that it plans to formulate an integrated support road map for migrant workers, which will expand governmental support of unskilled foreign workers.
