There are 251 foreign nationals living in Jecheon with residence (F-2) status, and 219 of them hold region-specific outstanding talent (F-2-R) status (as of the end of June 2026). F-2-R is a visa granted on the condition that you settle in Jecheon, a population decline area, so keeping the conditions is how you continue your stay.
Conditions of F-2-R
- The condition is that you live, work or start a business in Jecheon for 5 years or more.
- For the first 2 years, you must actually live in Jecheon. After 2 years, you may move to another population decline area in Chungcheongbuk-do (Chungbuk) (Goesan, Danyang, Boeun, Yeongdong, Okcheon).
- You work within the region you were recommended for. There are almost no restrictions on the type of business (except businesses contrary to good morals, etc.).
- If you keep your address only on paper and live elsewhere, or work in another region, your period of stay may be shortened or your permit may be canceled.
When you extend
- Your income for the previous year (your spouse's income can be added) must be at or above the Chungbuk living wage. The 2026 Chungbuk living wage is KRW 12,177 per hour (about KRW 30.54 million per year).
- Whether you have kept the residence and employment conditions is also checked. Prepare documents such as a certificate of income amount, a lease agreement and a certificate of employment.
- You can apply from 4 months before your stay expires.
When you change companies
With F-2-R, you cannot change companies freely. You must first obtain a Chungbuk recommendation letter for the new company and then apply to the immigration office for a change of permit conditions. The new company must also meet requirements such as pay (at or above the living wage), contract period, and whether it has unpaid taxes. Changing companies may be restricted right after you receive the status, so please get advice in advance.
With your family
- Your spouse and minor children can live with you under dependent family (F-3-1R) status.
- Your spouse can work at a business in Jecheon with permission.
For business owners: special hiring exception for small businesses
From May 18, 2026 to December 31, 2027, small businesses (manufacturing, wholesale and retail, restaurants) and agricultural corporations in population decline areas can hire one foreign national with F-2-R status even if they have no Korean employees. The business must have operated for 3 years or more and have had sales of KRW 100 million or more in the previous year.
What may change
Region-specific visas are currently run under the 2025–2026 operation plan, and in October 2026 the Ministry of Justice announced that it will redesign region-specific visas and expand settlement support for accompanying family members in line with local industry needs. Requirements may change from 2027 onward, so check the latest standards before extending or changing your status.
Other F-2 statuses include points-based outstanding talent (F-2-7). Changing from a region-specific visa to another status may affect the residence conditions or later applications, so be sure to get advice before you change.
Jecheon Bareun Visa can help
- Applications on your behalf for change of status to F-2-R and for extensions, and review of income and residence documents
- When you change companies: preparing recommendation application documents and applying to the immigration office for a change of permit conditions
- Applications for inviting family (F-3-1R) and for your spouse's work permit (permission for activities outside the status of stay)
- Consultation for employers on F-2-R hiring requirements and the special hiring exception for small businesses
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Related article: Jecheon is a population decline area: region-specific visas and a special hiring exception for small businesses
Sources
- Ministry of Justice implements the 2025 region-specific visa operation plan — Ministry of Justice press release, 20 Feb 2025.
- Considering small businesses in population decline areas: new special exception for hiring foreign nationals — Ministry of Justice press release, 12 May 2026.
- Ministry of Justice explores shifting visa policy from "attracting" to "growing" international students, preparing for the era of 400,000 international students — Ministry of Justice press release, 7 Oct 2026.
- Ministry of Justice establishes the "Regional Stay Support Division" and the "Overseas Korean Stay Integration Division" — Ministry of Justice press release, 2 Jan 2026.
- Ministry of Justice Immigration and Foreign Policy Monthly Statistics, June 2026 (법무부 출입국·외국인정책 통계월보), Chungcheongbuk-do 2026 living wage (충청북도 2026년 생활임금)
The information above is as of the date of the Ministry of Justice press release. Actual requirements must be checked against the laws and guidelines in effect when you apply. If you have any questions, please leave them via Ask a question.