Korea Metropolitan Visa Pilot Program (광역형 비자) — Incheon, Gwangju & Gangwon

The metropolitan visa program was launched as part of Korea's broader regional economic development and talent attraction strategy. Unlike the regional visa pilot (which targets depopulation and acts as a retention tool), the metropolitan program is designed to:

• Attract international students to specific universities with industry partnerships • Build regional talent pipelines for strategic industries (automotive, semiconductors, biotech) • Allow greater flexibility in visa costs and work rights to make study in these areas more competitive with Seoul

The program is governed jointly by the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education, and the relevant regional governments.

The Incheon Global Campus (IGC) in Songdo, Incheon hosts branch campuses of international universities. The metropolitan visa pilot gives IGC students:

Participating universities (current as of 2026): • SUNY Korea (State University of New York — Technology Management, Computer Science) • George Mason University Korea (Computer Science, Conflict Analysis and Resolution) • Ghent University Global Campus Korea (Molecular Biotechnology, Food Technology, Environmental Technology) • Utah Asia Campus (Business Administration, Exercise and Sport Science)

Program benefits for IGC students: • Longer stay period: students who enter these universities are given the maximum stay period (2 years) when the visa is issued, changed or extended, whatever their nationality • Internships during the semester: students who meet the year-of-study, language (KIIP Level 4 or TOPIK 4, or an English-track test score) and grade (B average) conditions may intern in professional fields (E-1 to E-7) at outside organisations and companies, once, for up to 1 year (6 months for associate degree students) • Part-time work hours are not extended: the standard international student rules apply • Quota: 60 international students across the IGC universities

The Gwangju metropolitan visa track is focused on the automotive and mobility industry, anchored by Gwangju's role as a major Korean automotive manufacturing hub (Kia, GM Korea production facilities).

Target students: • International students in the designated future-automobile departments: Seoyeong University (서영대학교, AI Future Automobile), Donggang University (동강대, AI Future Automobile and AI Future Mobility) and Chosun College of Science & Technology (조선이공대, Global Convergence Division, global mechanical convergence major). The current list is posted on HiKorea.

Program benefits: • Relaxed proof of funds: KRW 8 million a year is enough for students in these departments, on condition that a scholarship and dormitory are provided; this applies at admission, visa issuance, status change and extension • Quota: 240 international students

Pathway: Qualifying graduation → D-10 (job seeker in Gwangju automotive sector) → E-7 at a Gwangju automotive employer

The Gangwon metropolitan visa track targets students in departments related to Gangwon's future industries: semiconductors, biohealth, future mobility, future energy, food tech and ICT.

Target institutions: Hallym University, Kangwon National University, Yonsei University Wonju Campus, and specialized programs at GIST equivalent institutions in Gangwon.

Program benefits: • Relaxed proof of funds: KRW 8 million a year at visa issuance or status change, and an average monthly balance of KRW 620,000 in your main Korean bank account at extension • More part-time work hours: up to 30 hours on weekdays for students who meet the Korean language requirement (5 more for accredited-university students, top grades or TOPIK 5), with no limit on weekends, public holidays and vacations • Internships in professional fields during the semester for students who meet the year, language and grade conditions

Regional vs. metropolitan distinction: Unlike the 지역특화형 program, the Gangwon track under the metropolitan pilot is specifically for university-based programs, not general employment in depopulation areas.

The metropolitan visa program does not use a separate visa type — participants hold standard D-2 (student) or E-7 (specialty worker) visas, issued on the recommendation of the mayor or governor of the participating region. The 'metropolitan' designation unlocks specific benefits (expanded work hours, quota prioritization, tuition structures).

For students:

1. Apply directly to one of the qualifying universities in the participating metropolitan program
2. The university confirms your enrollment and notifies immigration of your metropolitan program participation
3. When applying for your D-2 visa, the university's international student office provides documentation confirming metropolitan program enrollment
4. Upon arrival in Korea, register ARC and confirm metropolitan status at the local immigration office in the relevant region

For post-graduation job seekers: The D-10 issued after graduation from a metropolitan program university is tagged to the relevant regional track, giving priority in D-10 renewal and E-7 placement within the metropolitan area.