Korean Government to Give Permanent Residence to Attract Foreign Engineers

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on March 17 that it will increase the number of colleges providing engineering training programs for foreigners from three to eight by the first half of this year. 

Last year, the government designated Chosun College of Science & Technology, Keimyung College University, and Chosun University as three institutions to train foreign manufacturing engineers. Twenty-three foreign nationals entered the schools this year, and they are scheduled to be employed by Korean manufacturing firms in the second half of 2016. 

In the meantime, the ministry and the three colleges held a school fair on March 17 at the National Institute for International Education located in Jongno, Seoul. More than 200 foreigners attended the event. 

Non-Koreans working for Korean manufacturing firms for over five years can be given permanent residence or apply for the Korean nationality.