□ Necessity of regional specialized visa designed for agricultural sector

◯ Jeonbuk State is facing the grim reality of worsening labor shortages in the crop production industry and other agriculture-related industries due to the depopulation and aging of its rural areas.

◯ The regional specialized visa program (F-2-R visa for regional foreign talent) has been promoted since 2022 to combat labor shortages in depopulated areas by attracting residents. 

◯ An imbalance between labor supply and demand - a misalignment between the job sectors pursued by potential visa applicants and those required by agriculture-based rural areas - has prevented the specialized visa program from being effectively applied in target areas. 

◯ To navigate the challenges of labor shortages in agriculture and related industries and rural depopulation, we propose a regional specialized visa model that allows workers under the agricultural employment permit system to settle as part of the agricultural and rural workforce. 

□ Roadmap to proposed regional specialized visa model for workers under agricultural employment permit system

◯ Achieving the sustainable development of agriculture and rural areas in Jeonbuk State requires a concerted effort to attract foreign talent in various relevant industries and develop and operate training programs to cultivate these talented individuals. 

◯ It is necessary to educate and train workers under the agricultural employment permit system (E-9) so that those E-9 workers who have completed the required programs can obtain the F-2-R visa and settle in the region on condition that they are employed or start a business in agriculture or rural area-related industries in Jeonbuk State. 

◯ E-9 visa holders must complete training programs at an agricultural educational institution certified by the head of a metropolitan local government. 

□ Expected effects of operating regional specialized visa program targeting E-9 holders 

◯ The F-2-R visa program can attract foreign workers with extensive experience in agriculture and their families as long-term residents, thus effectively resolving the labor shortage and depopulation problems.

◯ The operation of training and educational programs for workers with E-9 visas will contribute to creating jobs in the affected communities and revitalizing their economies. 

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