Industry-nurturing Specialized Technical Program in Korea
2026-07-02
This new policy is active from February, 2026 to December 31, 2027.
A foreign student who graduated from a designated industry-nurturing specialized technical program at the junior college can obtain an E7-M visa after being employed by a local company related to the major.
Here is the list of designated departments of the college.
- Gyeonggi: 경기과학기술대학교 미래전기자동차과 (Department of Future Electric Vehicle, Gyeonggi University of Science and Technology), 대림대학교 미래자동차공학부 (School of Future Automotive Engineering, Daelim University), 부천대학교 섬유패션비즈니스학과 (Department of Textile Fashion Business, Bucheon University), 서정대학교 글로벌섬유패션비즈니스과 (Department of Global Textile Fashion Business, Seojeong University), 오산대학교 전기공학과 (Department of Electrical Engineering, Osan University), 용인예술과학대학교 자동차기계과 (Department of Automotive & Mechanical Engineering, Yong-In Arts & Science University)
- Daegu: 영진전문대학교 스마트CAD/CAM과 (Department of Smart CAD/CAM, Yeungjin University)
- Gyeongbuk: 구미대학교 특수건설기계공학부 (Department of Special Construction Machinery Engineering, Gumi University)
- Busan: 경남정보대학교 기계과 (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kyungnam College of Information & Technology), 동의과학대학교 기계공학과 (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dit-Dongui Institute of Technology), 부산과학기술대학교 자동차과 (Department of Automotive Engineering, Busan Institute of Science and Technology)
- Gyeongnam: 거제대학교 기계공학과 (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Koje College)
- Ulsan: 울산과학대학교 기계공학부 (School of Mechanical Engineering, Ulsan College)
- Jeonbuk: 군장대학교 스마트농식품과 (Department of Smart Agrifood, Kunjang University College), 전주비전대학교 미래모빌리티학과 (Department of Future Mobility, Jeonju Vision University)
- Jeonnam: 목포과학대학교 신재생에너지전기과 (Department of New Renewable Energy and Electricity, Mokpo Science University)
Foreign student in an industry-nurturing specialized technical program (D-2-1)
A foreign student who entered an designated industry-nurturing specialized technical program at the junior college needs to meet the requirements below to obtain a D2-1 visa. Anyone who transfers to that department from another university/college or the same junior college can apply to extend the period of stay with the same requirements.
- You must have at least one of TOPIK 3 grade, KIIP 3 level, 81 points on KIIP preliminary test, and Sejong school's middle grade 1.
- Economic ability is exempted.
- Your school will have a quota of 50 foreign students every year.
- Your school is recommended for the same nationality not to exceed 30% among foreign students. And it cannot exceed 50%.
You need apply for visa overseas with the visa certficate or visa change in Korea.
You will have some advantages regarding part time job and internships.
K-Core visa (E7-M)
A foreigner who graduated from a designated industry-nurturing specialized technical program at the junior college needs to meet the requirements below to change to E7-M visa status. If you want to change to a regular E7 visa rather than E7-M, you need to meet the regular requirements.
- You must have at least one of TOPIK 5 grade, KIIP 4 level, KIIP's midterm exam pass, and Sejong school's high grade 1.
- You must be employed by a company related to your major (associate degree) and your contract must have one year work and 26,000,000 won as annual income.
- The company doesn't have to be the E7 visa available types if it is a similar type.
Source: the ministry of justice
