Published: 08.06.2026
During the first year of the Lee Jae Myung administration, South Korea eased several rules affecting work visas, foreign students, and migrant-worker protections. The Top-Tier and K-STAR categories were expanded, some students received permission to work longer hours, and hiring rules were relaxed for certain regional industries.
The changes broaden access to several work and long-term residence routes: certain graduates and researchers may apply for permanent residence after three years, while students in designated fields received more flexible work conditions. Employers in some regional industries also face fewer barriers when hiring foreign workers amid labor shortages. Sources also describe stronger protection mechanisms, including support for wage-theft victims without automatic reporting of their irregular status. The update matters most to students, skilled professionals, and workers in shortage sectors planning a longer-term migration path in Korea.