Ministry of Justice Selects KNU for 'K-STAR Visa Track' Project
- Date
- 2026/01/02
- Writer
- English
- Hit
- 258
The new project makes it possible to obtain a residency visa (F-2) after graduation with only a university president's recommendation, lowering the barrier for high-level foreign talent to settle in Korea.
Kyungpook National University (KNU) has been selected for the K-STAR (Korea-Science & Technology Advanced Human-Resources) Visa Track Project promoted by the Ministry of Justice.
Since 2023, the Ministry of Justice has operated a "Fast Track for Permanent Residency and Naturalization of Outstanding Talent in Science and Technology," targeting five specialized science and technology universities, including KAIST. This year, the program was expanded and reorganized to select outstanding universities among those participating in the BK21 Graduate School Innovation Support Project for the K-STAR Visa Track.
The K-STAR Visa Track is an initiative designed to facilitate the permanent residency and naturalization of international master's and doctoral-level talent in science and technology fields currently studying at domestic universities. Under this system, students can obtain a Residency Visa (F-2) immediately upon graduation with only a recommendation letter from the university president. After staying for three years on the F-2 visa, they become eligible to apply for permanent residency or special naturalization. Previously, graduates had to maintain an Employment Visa (E-7) for three years before they could acquire a Residency Visa (F-2).
With this selection, KNU has established a full-lifecycle support system for international students, ranging from admission to post-graduation settlement in Korea. In particular, the university plans to strengthen the recruitment and settlement support of elite overseas talent by linking this project with its ongoing transition into a research-oriented university centered on graduate studies and the creation of a "Young Researcher Town."
Professor Choi Hee-kyung, Dean of the KNU Office of International Affairs, noted, “This selection goes beyond simply attracting international students; it will help create a research and technological innovation environment that contributes to local communities and industries. We will continue to strengthen support so that outstanding talent can settle and conduct research stably, leaping forward as a global innovation university and research hub sought after by the world.”
Kyungpook National University (KNU) has been selected for the K-STAR (Korea-Science & Technology Advanced Human-Resources) Visa Track Project promoted by the Ministry of Justice.
Since 2023, the Ministry of Justice has operated a "Fast Track for Permanent Residency and Naturalization of Outstanding Talent in Science and Technology," targeting five specialized science and technology universities, including KAIST. This year, the program was expanded and reorganized to select outstanding universities among those participating in the BK21 Graduate School Innovation Support Project for the K-STAR Visa Track.
The K-STAR Visa Track is an initiative designed to facilitate the permanent residency and naturalization of international master's and doctoral-level talent in science and technology fields currently studying at domestic universities. Under this system, students can obtain a Residency Visa (F-2) immediately upon graduation with only a recommendation letter from the university president. After staying for three years on the F-2 visa, they become eligible to apply for permanent residency or special naturalization. Previously, graduates had to maintain an Employment Visa (E-7) for three years before they could acquire a Residency Visa (F-2).
With this selection, KNU has established a full-lifecycle support system for international students, ranging from admission to post-graduation settlement in Korea. In particular, the university plans to strengthen the recruitment and settlement support of elite overseas talent by linking this project with its ongoing transition into a research-oriented university centered on graduate studies and the creation of a "Young Researcher Town."
Professor Choi Hee-kyung, Dean of the KNU Office of International Affairs, noted, “This selection goes beyond simply attracting international students; it will help create a research and technological innovation environment that contributes to local communities and industries. We will continue to strengthen support so that outstanding talent can settle and conduct research stably, leaping forward as a global innovation university and research hub sought after by the world.”