Launched in March 2025 | Jointly by Korean Ministries / MarePress

Overview

In a bold move to attract world-class professionals in advanced technology sectors, the Korean government launched the K-Tech Pass in March 2025. Designed for elite foreign talent, this program offers streamlined visa issuance, tax benefits, and strong settlement support to encourage relocation and long-term engagement in Korea’s high-tech industries.

1. Why K-Tech Pass?

Korea joins the global race to secure top-tier talent in key sectors such as semiconductors, bio-health, batteries, AI, robotics, and defense. Inspired by Japan’s J-SKIP and Singapore’s ONE Pass, K-Tech Pass seeks to:

Secure core talent for national strategic industries

Provide competitive living and working conditions

Enhance Korea’s global innovation competitiveness

2. Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for K-Tech Pass, applicants must:

Work in strategic industries (semiconductors, biotech, etc.)

Hold a Master’s or PhD from a Top 100 global engineering university

Have 8+ years of experience, including 3+ years in a Top 500 global company or research institute

Earn more than 3–4 times Korea’s per capita GNI

Or be recognized by Korea’s Ministry of Industry for outstanding expertise

3. Key Benefits

Fast-track F-2 Visa: Up to 5 years stay, family members (including parents and domestic helpers) allowed

Path to Permanent Residency (F-5) after 3 years

50% Income Tax Reduction for 10 years

Foreign School Admission: Children can enter international schools outside quota

Housing Support: Rental loan of up to 500 million KRW

Concierge Services: KOTRA support for telecom, finance, utilities, healthcare, and school registration

4. Application Process

4-1. Company and candidate sign a job contract

4-2. Apply online through KOTRA and the Ministry of Justice

4-3. Receive K-Tech Pass certificate and F-2 visa within 2 weeks (if documents are complete)

4-4. Settlement support begins upon arrival

5. Talent Sourcing & Support Infrastructure

4 Global Talent Hubs: New York, Silicon Valley, London, Singapore

AI-driven Talent Search Platform (Tech-GPT): Patent and paper-based matching system launching in late 2025

Recruitment Delegations: Joint public-private missions to talent-dense regions

Subscription to Global Recruitment Platforms

6. Implementation Timeline

March 2025: Full implementation (visa issuance, tax laws, school admissions)

June 2025: Launch of exclusive housing loan products

2026–2027: Expansion of AI talent platform, international collaboration

Conclusion

K-Tech Pass is Korea’s most ambitious effort to become a global hub for innovation. With clear pathways to residency, family support, and high financial incentives, it sets a new benchmark for how governments can align immigration with industrial strategy.