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

This program is specifically for foreign nationals who:

1. Grew up in Korea:

• Have lived in Korea for a significant portion of their childhood and adolescence

• Attended Korean elementary, middle, or high school in Korea

2. Age criteria:

• Generally aged 18–30 at the time of application (the program targets youth who recently reached adulthood or are in the transition period)

3. Educational background:

• Graduated from a Korean high school (한국 고등학교 졸업) or are enrolled in/graduated from a Korean university

• 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:

A dedicated residence status that allows legal stay in Korea for the program period — providing stability while the participant establishes themselves in the Korean workforce.

Work authorization:

Open work rights — participants can work for any employer in any industry without a specific employer-tied work visa. This is a significant improvement over the typical or E-series which tie work rights to a specific employer or occupation.

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 ( or equivalent) that sets them on the path toward 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