Foreign-born population – 2025 | 4% of the population | Main countries of birth: China (42%), Viet Nam (13%), Uzbekistan (4%) |
Size: 2 million, 44% women | Evolution since 2015: +87% |
International Migration Outlook 2026
50th Edition
In 2025, Korea received 67 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status), ‑11% compared to 2024. This figure comprises 14% labour migrants, 25% family members (including accompanying family) and 0.1% humanitarian migrants. Around 63 000 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students, 150 000 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants and 45 000 to trainees.
China, Viet Nam and the United States were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2024. Among the top 15 countries of origin, Viet Nam registered the strongest increase (18 000) and China the largest decrease (‑20 000) in flows to Korea compared to the previous year.
In 2025, the number of first asylum applicants decreased by ‑20%, to reach around 15 000. The majority of applicants came from Russia (2 000), India (1 500) and Kazakhstan (1 200). The largest increase since 2024 concerned nationals of Philippines (300) and the largest decrease nationals of Russia (‑2 500). Of the 17 000 decisions taken in 2025, 1% were positive.
Emigration of Korean citizens to OECD countries decreased by ‑4% in 2024, to 41 000. Approximately 37% of this group migrated to the United States, 11% to Japan and 11% to Canada.
To attract high-level expertise in advanced sectors such as semiconductors and bio-health, the “Top-Tier” Visa was launched in April 2025. This programme offers Resident (F‑2) status to senior engineers and world-class talent, providing a direct pathway to permanent residency after three years. Furthermore, the “Corporate‑Customised Internship (K-Trainee)” programme was established in October 2025 as a pilot targeting selected Asian countries, allowing global talent hired by overseas subsidiaries to participate in internships at the company’s headquarters in Korea.
To retain domestically-trained international talent, the government introduced the “Fast Track for Permanent Residency and Naturalization for Outstanding Scientists and Engineers” in January 2023 to facilitate pathways to permanent residency and naturalisation for outstanding foreign master’s and doctoral students at five universities in Korea. In February 2026, the programme was renamed the “K-STAR Visa Track” and expanded to include 27 additional universities. Under the expanded programme, outstanding graduates may transition to Resident (F‑2) status, significantly shortening the time required to obtain permanent residency.
To revitalise local economies, the “Region-Specific Visa Program” was expanded in 2025. A total of 13 metropolitan and provincial governments are participating in the Region-Specific Visa Program designed to encourage the long-term settlement of foreigners in depopulating areas, thereby alleviating labour shortages and revitalising local economies.
In December 2025, the Ministry of Employment and Labor announced a scaling down of the E-9 visa quota for 2026 to 80 000. This is the second consecutive year of reductions, which was explained by a decline in demand for foreign labour to pre‑pandemic levels.
Meanwhile, the number of seasonal work visas (E‑8) has been increasing, reaching 95 700 in 2025 and 117 113 in 2026. The Immigration Act was amended in July 2025 to provide a statutory basis for the seasonal worker programme, with new provisions on specialised agencies, broker bans and sanctions. The amendments entered into force in January 2026.
In August 2025, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health and Welfare designated about 21 universities and colleges, recommended by the metropolitan local governments, as participating institutions for training foreign caregivers. The designated institutions are scheduled to operate degree programmes for caregivers during the two‑year pilot period, providing education for caregiver certification that includes customised Korean language training.
In November 2025, the government amended the Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act to introduce the “Exemption from the Obligation to Notify about Foreign Workers Who Are Victims of Unpaid Wages, Unfair Labor Practices, or Other Labor-Related Violations.” This reform aims at strengthening the protection of migrant workers’ rights and removes barriers that have discouraged foreign victims from exercising their legal rights.
Significant reforms were also made to support the long-term settlement of foreign youth. From April 2025, immigrant youth who grew up in Korea are eligible to remain and seek employment even if they do not pursue a university enrolment, provided they meet specific residency and education requirements such as graduating from a local high school. This policy is designed to facilitate the stable integration of individuals who have already spent their formative years in Korea.
For further information: www.eps.go.kr | www.immigration.go.kr | www.mrtc.re.kr/eng/main/main.php
