South Korea has launched a new K STAR visa track that fast tracks long term residency for outstanding international STEM talent graduating from designated universities and expands eligibility beyond a small group of science institutes to a broader set of institutions.
The K STAR visa track is a pathway that grants eligible international master’s doctoral and postdoctoral graduates in STEM fields an F 2 long term residency visa immediately upon graduation if they receive a recommendation from their university president. It is positioned as an expansion of an existing fast track previously limited to five science and technology institutes and is intended to attract and retain high caliber science and technology talent in Korea.
Graduates endorsed under the K STAR track receive an F 2 visa that enables stable residence and work in Korea after completing their degrees without needing a separate employment sponsor. K STAR recipients can generally apply for F 5 permanent residency after three years which shortens the usual residency timeline compared to standard F 2 categories.
The program targets international students in master’s doctoral or postdoctoral STEM programs at selected universities that meet management and support standards set by the Justice Ministry. University presidents at participating institutions hold the authority to issue recommendation letters for a three year period subject to a program evaluation slated for the end of 2028.
The Justice Ministry briefed 27 universities as it opened applications for institutions wishing to join the K STAR track with selections planned after a review of student management educational capacity and international student support systems. Policy updates indicate a shift from a five institute fast track toward inclusion of general universities which is expected to increase annual beneficiaries from roughly 100 to around 400.
Officials describe the K STAR visa as a tool to help top international science and technology talent settle focus on research and navigate toward permanent residency or naturalization with coordinated university support. The expansion aligns with broader national efforts to strengthen Korea’s science and technology workforce and global competitiveness by easing post graduation transitions for foreign researchers and engineers
