Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) has been added to South Korea’s K-STAR (Korea-Science & Technology Advanced Human-Resources Visa Track) visa track, a Ministry of Justice program meant to keep high-skilled foreign graduates in the country longer and steer more of them toward jobs and settlement outside the capital, the university and government-linked reporting said.
JBNU is among 32 universities the Ministry of Justice designated in December 2025, a list that gives select institutions the power to recommend top science and technology graduates for a fast move from student life into longer-term residence and work. The development was reported by Jung Da-hyun of The Korea Times on December 15, 2025, as JBNU officials framed the move as a way to hold on to “regional foreign talent” rather than seeing graduates leave for Seoul or for other countries.
What the K-STAR visa track does
At the heart of the program is a visa upgrade that can happen right after graduation. Under the track, eligible master’s and doctoral graduates in science and technology from designated universities can be recommended by their university president for an F-2-7S residence visa, a status tied to a presidential recommendation route.
This matters because the F-2 class generally allows a longer stay with more freedom than a student visa, giving graduates room to job-hunt, start work, and build the years needed for settlement.
“To integrate outstanding international researchers as long-term contributors to Korea’s scientific advancement,” said Minister Jeong Seong-ho, explaining the program’s intent to link visa policy with research and industry goals.
Program history and scale
- The Ministry of Justice launched the K-STAR (Korea-Science & Technology Advanced Human-Resources Visa Track) program in January 2023 and later expanded it in 2025.
- As of August 2025, 296 individuals had received F-2 visas under the program.
- With the 2025 expansion to general universities, the Ministry projected raising annual recipients from 100 to 400.
These figures show the program is still relatively small but intended to grow significantly.
Key benefits for graduates
- Shortened path to settlement: the required residence period for F-5 permanent residency is reduced from 6 years to 3 years for those who enter this route and meet its conditions.
- Faster transition from student status to employment and longer-term residence — reducing repeated short-term renewals or employer-tied uncertainty.
- Special pathways for top-tier researchers: the program can allow “special naturalization without a standard stay period for exceptional researchers,” accelerating stability for high-end talent.
Regional balance and policy goals
JBNU’s selection highlights a broader political and economic goal: regional balance. Korea’s strongest job market and many top labs are concentrated around Seoul, and regional universities often lose international graduates after degrees.
By giving JBNU the same recommendation power as other designated institutions, the Justice Ministry signals it wants the K-STAR track to serve both as:
– An elite research channel, and
– A tool to spread talent more evenly across the country.
Eligibility, requirements, and pathway
The pathway blends points, language, and income tests, and links to existing education support programs such as BK21.
Important elements and requirements:
– Applicants must meet a points threshold listed as 200/300 points, including bonus points, before a recommendation can proceed.
– Employers must have an average annual income of at least 25 million won over two years to qualify participants into stable workplaces.
– Korean-language ability requirement: TOPIK Level 2 (or equivalent), although this requirement is temporarily suspended until December 31, 2026 while improvements are made.
Sequence of the typical pathway:
1. University recommendation.
2. Grant of the F-2-7S residence visa.
3. Entry into employment.
4. Eligibility to apply for F-5 permanent residency after 3 years.
Campus role and student support
Because the K-STAR track runs through university recommendations, campuses act as both gatekeepers and support hubs. JBNU said it supports international students through:
- Career programs and job fairs
- Exchange opportunities
- Visa guidance via the Office of International Affairs
Practical contact details (as listed by JBNU):
– Suhyun Seo
– Email: [email protected]
– Phone: +82-63-270-4892
These contacts matter for students navigating the tight window between thesis submission, graduation, and visa expiry.
Who benefits — and who doesn’t
- Targeted beneficiaries: master’s and PhD graduates in science and technology—those likely to fit into research institutes, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, biotech, energy, and similar fields.
- Not aimed at every international student; the focus is on those who can help Korea build global standing in STEM fields and who face competition from destinations like the United States 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦, and Europe.
Practical ecosystem and cautions
- Applicants are advised to rely on official government guidance and university offices for rules and updates.
- The Korea Immigration Service under the Ministry of Justice posts notices at the official site of HiKorea (Korea Immigration Service) — the safest place to confirm requirements and changes.
- Outside campus, services such as JobPloy and private recruiters, school career centers, and consultants form a small ecosystem providing visa and employment support.
Important caution:
– Programs like K-STAR often depend on how quickly graduates can move from lab to payroll without gaps. A single missed deadline can force a student to leave and restart from abroad, according to analysis by VisaVerge.com.
Summary — what this means for JBNU students
- For JBNU’s foreign graduate students, the designation is immediate and practical: qualifying and securing a recommendation can convert a short, uncertain post-graduation period into a clearer runway toward work and residence.
- The F-2-7S visa can be a direct route to F-5 permanent residency after 3 years, provided conditions are met.
- For JBNU as an institution, the designation is also a reputational marker that could influence where prospective international students choose to study — particularly those weighing Seoul versus regional options.
Jeonbuk National University joined the K-STAR visa track in December 2025, part of a 32-university expansion to retain regional STEM graduates. Eligible master’s and doctoral students can receive presidentially recommended F-2-7S visas, easing the shift from study to employment and shortening the path to F-5 permanent residency to three years. The program aims to grow recipients from 100 to 400 annually, support career integration through campus services, and bolster regional innovation.
