Ulsan's Regional Visa Program Approved by Ministry of Justice
On May 26, Ulsan Mayor Kim Doo-gyeom announced at a press conference that Ulsan has been selected for the Ministry of Justice's 'Regional Visa Pilot Project.' This initiative aims to address labor shortages in the shipbuilding industry and boost the local population. The Ulsan Regional Visa allows foreign workers who have received Korean language and job training at shipbuilding training centers established abroad to be employed by local companies. This visa falls under the general skilled worker category (E-7-3) and includes positions such as ship welders, ship electricians, and ship painters.
Since August of last year, Ulsan has been collaborating with Uzbekistan's Ministry of Employment and Poverty Alleviation to develop human resources, and has been operating a training center in Uzbekistan since March. The countries targeted for recruiting foreign workers include Uzbekistan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The program will select outstanding trainees who have completed 3 to 6 months of job training, as well as Korean language and cultural education.
From May this year until the end of next year, Ulsan plans to recruit a total of 440 foreign workers to support local shipbuilding companies. With the shipbuilding industry experiencing a boom, Ulsan anticipates a need for at least 13,000 additional workers by 2027. Mayor Kim emphasized that the shipbuilding sector is often perceived as high-risk and low-paying, which deters local job seekers. He assured that efforts will be made to help foreign workers settle in the region through Korean language and cultural education.
