Korea's Domestic Growth-Based Youth Employment Program (국내 성장 기반 외국인 청소년)

The program is designed for foreign nationals who meet all of the following:

• Age: 18–24 years old at the time of application
• Long-term Korean upbringing: Grew up in Korea, typically meaning attendance at Korean elementary, middle, or high school for a significant portion of their education
• Current legal status: Holding a lawful Korean stay permit (typically as a dependent on a parent's visa — F-3, F-1, or similar) or transitioning off of dependent status as they reach adulthood
• Korean language proficiency: TOPIK Level 3 or higher, or equivalent Korean schooling record demonstrating Korean-language education

The typical applicant is a child of an E-9 worker, an F-6 spouse, or a long-term foreign resident who arrived in Korea as a child and grew up through the Korean education system. Upon turning 18, they lose their dependent visa status and face the same application requirements as any adult foreigner — despite having lived most of their life in Korea.

The program grants participants:

Employment authorization: Youth who qualify receive a permit to work in Korea — not limited to a specific employer or sector, but covering general employment consistent with their skills and education level. This is more flexible than E-7 (which requires employer sponsorship) or E-9 (which requires EPS matching).

Residency stability: Rather than being forced to leave Korea upon turning 18 or losing dependent status, qualifying youth receive a stable residency status specifically tied to this program — allowing them to work, continue education, and remain in Korea while building toward longer-term status.

KIIP integration: Participants are encouraged (and in some cases required) to enroll in KIIP (Korea Immigration and Integration Program) if not already completed, both to maintain status eligibility and to accumulate points toward future F-2-7 or F-5 applications.

Path to F-2-7 / long-term residency: Employment and residence time accumulated under this program counts toward the K-Point accumulation needed for F-2-7 (long-term residency) and the general 5-year continuous lawful residence for F-5.

Applications are filed at the local immigration office (출입국·외국인청) serving your area of residence. Core documents:

① Passport and current ARC ② Evidence of Korean upbringing: school attendance records (초/중/고 졸업증명서 or 재학증명서), transcripts, or Korean education registration history ③ TOPIK score certificate (Level 3+) or alternative Korean proficiency evidence ④ Criminal background check (Korean police certificate — 범죄경력증명서 — for applicants who have been in Korea for 1+ year) ⑤ Parental status documentation: evidence of your parent's Korean residency status (their ARC copy, employment contract if relevant) ⑥ Completed visa application form and photos

The local immigration officer assesses eligibility and issues the youth employment status if all conditions are met. Processing time is typically 2–4 weeks.

The domestic growth-based youth program is intentionally designed as a bridge — not a permanent status. The expected progression is:

Short term (age 18–24): Receive youth employment status, work in Korea, continue Korean education if applicable, and build TOPIK and work history.

Medium term: Accumulate K-Points through employment, income, and language for F-2-7 long-term residency. Employment time under the youth program counts toward K-Point accumulation.

Long term: Qualify for F-2-7 long-term residency, and eventually F-5 permanent residency through the general 5-year lawful continuous residence route. Individuals with a Korean-national parent may also explore F-2-2 (child of Korean national) or other status pathways with an 행정사.

The program also recognizes that some participants may qualify for F-4 (Overseas Korean) status if they have Korean ancestry — those cases should be assessed separately.

The program has several limitations to be aware of:

• Age cap: The program applies to ages 18–24. There is no retrospective benefit for those who are already 25+ when the program was introduced in April 2025 — this cohort must apply through standard channels.
• Dependent on qualifying factors: The program is relatively new (April 2025) and KIS has been refining eligibility criteria. Always confirm current requirements at your local immigration office before submitting.
• Employment sector restrictions: While broader than E-7, the employment authorization may have certain sector exclusions (unskilled manual labour in some categories). Confirm with your immigration officer.
• Status is not permanent: Without actively pursuing F-2-7 or another long-term status, the youth employment status requires renewal and does not automatically convert to permanent residency.