The Ministry of SMEs and Startups said on the 10th that starting on the 11th it will accept applications on a rolling basis for recommendations for special naturalization from outstanding foreign talent working in private corporations and new industries.
Special naturalization for outstanding talent (hereafter special naturalization) is a program run by the Ministry of Justice that grants nationality to foreigners recognized as having exceptional abilities in fields such as science, economy, culture, and sports and as contributing to the national interest. To be eligible for review for special naturalization, one must have recognized achievements such as internationally prestigious awards or research results, or receive a recommendation from a public institution such as a central government ministry.
As the lead ministry supporting corporations, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) plans to take the lead as a recommending body for special naturalization in the private-sector field to proactively discover and attract global outstanding talent who will contribute to the Korean economy.
The fields recommended by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) total four: ▲ employees of domestic and overseas corporations and foreign-invested corporations ▲ employees in new industries and advanced technologies ▲ holders of original technologies ▲ holders of intellectual property rights. Applicants may apply for recommendation only if they meet the basic requirements for special naturalization for each field.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) plans to comprehensively review the applicant's qualities and capabilities, excellence of career, role and performance within the affiliated corporation, and potential to contribute to the national interest, and then decide whether to recommend. Those recommended will apply for special naturalization to the Ministry of Justice and, after deliberation by the Nationality Deliberation Committee, will ultimately receive approval for naturalization.
Cho Kyung-won, director-general for startup policy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS), said, "We hope that vetted global talent will go beyond simple residence through special naturalization and settle stably in our society as 'members of the Korean economy,'" and added, "We will actively pursue policies to attract promising overseas startups and innovative talent to secure new growth engines for the Korean economy."