Korea Domestic Growth-Based Foreign Youth Employment & Residency Program (국내 성장기반)

This program is specifically for foreign nationals who:

1. Grew up in Korea: • Stayed in Korea for 7 years or more before turning 18, with no continuous stay abroad of 3 years or more between ages 10 and 18 • Graduated from Korean elementary, middle AND high school, or hold equivalent schooling (applicants who missed part of it can qualify by completing KIIP Stage 5)

2. Age criteria: • Aged 18 to 24 at the time of application

3. Educational background: • Graduated from a Korean high school (a certificate of expected graduation is accepted from the second semester of the final year); university enrollment is not required • The Korean school education is the core qualifying factor — it demonstrates the 'domestic growth' (국내 성장기반) that the program is designed to support

4. Current status: • Currently in Korea on some legal status — which may be about to expire or not sufficient for long-term stay and work • Not currently holding an F-2, F-4, or F-5 long-term residency that already provides work rights

Common applicants: Children of foreign workers (E-9, H-2 parents) who attended Korean schools, children of foreign marriage migrants who held Korean education but did not receive citizenship, or foreign youth who came to Korea at a young age and have no practical ties to their home country.

Accepted participants receive:

Special residence status: The program runs through three statuses rather than one: D-10-1 (job seeker), a dedicated E-7-Y (국내성장인력) work status created for this group, and F-2-R (regional resident). There is no fixed program period; each status is extended under its own rules.

Work authorization: Not open work rights. On D-10-1 (granted without the points test or proof of funds) you can look for work and do reported internships. With an employment contract you change to E-7-Y: the usual E-7 education, experience and occupation-list requirements are waived and any industry except restricted ones is allowed, but the status rests on your contract with that employer, who is also screened.

Employment support: The Ministry of Employment and Labor provides job matching services, career counseling, and Korean workplace integration support specifically for this program's participants.

Settlement pathway: After successfully participating in the program and meeting employment and integration milestones, participants can apply to transition to a longer-term residency status (F-2 or equivalent) that sets them on the path toward F-5 permanent residency.

Step 1 — Confirm eligibility: Gather documents proving your Korean upbringing: Korean school graduation certificates (고등학교 졸업증명서, 학교생활기록부), proof of Korean residence during school years, current passport and visa status.

Step 2 — Apply at the immigration office: Submit an application at the local immigration office with supporting documentation. The application form and required document list are available at the immigration office or via HiKorea.

Step 3 — Review: Immigration reviews the application and verifies the Korean educational background and residence history. Processing time is typically 2–4 weeks.

Step 4 — Enrollment confirmation: Upon approval, the participant receives their residence card under the program status and begins accessing employment support services.

Key supporting documents: • All Korean school records (elementary, middle, high school) • Proof of residence in Korea during the school years (family ARC, lease agreements, utility bills if applicable) • Proof of current Korean residence and legal status • If already employed: employment contract • Personal statement explaining life in Korea