In April 2025, Korea Immigration Service introduced a new employment and residency program specifically designed for a group that had long fallen through the gaps of the immigration system: foreign nationals aged 18–24 who grew up in Korea. These are individuals who attended Korean school, speak Korean fluently, and are embedded in Korean society — yet faced significant legal barriers to employment and long-term residency because their immigration status was tied to a parent's visa. The 국내 성장 기반 외국인 청소년 (Domestic Growth-Based Foreign Youth) program creates a dedicated pathway for this group.
The program is designed for foreign nationals who meet all of the following:
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:
If you grew up in Korea and are approaching age 18, start the application process before your dependent status expires — do not wait until your current ARC lapses.
TOPIK Level 3 is the recommended minimum. If you attended Korean school from an early age, preparation for TOPIK should be straightforward — take the test at a nearby testing centre and attach the result.
Ask your local immigration office specifically about the '국내 성장 기반 외국인 청소년' program by name — this program was introduced in April 2025 and not all front-line staff may be equally familiar with it yet.
This program is distinct from the F-2-2 (child of Korean national) pathway. If one of your parents has Korean nationality, F-2-2 may offer a more direct route — consult an 행정사 to compare.
Enrol in KIIP as early as possible. KIIP Level 5 completion significantly boosts your K-Points for future F-2-7 applications and may reduce the residency requirement for F-5.
도움이 필요하신가요?
저희 전문가들은 korea's domestic growth-based youth employment program (국내 성장 기반 외국인 청소년) 사례를 정기적으로 처리하며 한국 출입국관리소가 요구하는 사항을 정확히 알고 있습니다.
전문가 찾기Does this program apply to children of E-9 workers who were born and raised in Korea?
Yes — this is one of the primary target groups. Children of E-9 workers who attended Korean school and have grown up in Korea are exactly the demographic the program was designed for. Previously, upon turning 18, these individuals often had no clear legal pathway to remain and work in Korea independently. The domestic growth-based youth program creates that pathway, provided the age and upbringing criteria are met.
What if I am already 25 or older and this situation applies to me?
If you are already over 24, the youth program does not directly apply. However, if you have grown up in Korea and have established life ties, you may have other options: ① If you have sufficient Korean employment history and TOPIK scores, you may qualify for F-2-7 long-term residency through the standard points track ② If you have Korean ancestry, F-4 Overseas Korean may apply ③ If you are employed by a Korean company, your employer can sponsor an E-7 ④ If you have a Korean spouse, F-6 applies. Consult an 행정사 to assess which route fits your circumstances.
Can participants in this program attend university while working?
Yes. The domestic growth-based youth program does not prohibit university enrollment. Many participants are expected to be enrolled in Korean universities or vocational colleges while also working part-time under the program's employment authorization. University enrollment may also strengthen your future F-2-7 points (education category) and demonstrates continued integration into Korean society.
Is this program available to all nationalities?
Yes. The program is based on the criterion of having grown up in Korea — not on specific nationality. Children of workers from any country (EPS countries, non-EPS countries, EU nationals, etc.) who meet the age and upbringing criteria are eligible. Nationality-specific factors may be relevant to the long-term pathway (e.g., F-4 for those with Korean ancestry), but the youth employment program itself is nationality-neutral.