MOJ Establishes Regulations for Systematic Management of Foreign Inflows

Through an Economic and Statistical Approach

- Enactment and Implementation of 

the ｢Regulations on the Operation of the Visa Issuance Quota Pre-Announcement System｣-

 The Ministry of Justice(MOJ, Minister Jung Sung-ho) announced that the ｢Regulations on the Operation of the Visa Issuance Quota Pre-Announcement System｣ were enacted on July 1st and entered into force the same day. 

  ※ The Regulations are available on the website of the Korean Law Information Center (www.law.go.kr). 

 The Regulations were enacted pursuant to Article7(7) of the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act to manage foreign inflows systematically through and economic and statistical approach by using statistics on immigration and foreign nationals, as well as economic and employment indicators. Their enactment is expected to facilitate the stable operation of the ｢Visa Issuance Quota Pre-Announcement System｣, which MOJ introduced in 2024. 

  ※ Two Amendments to the ｢Immigration Act｣ to provide a statutory basis for the ｢Visa Issuance Quota Pre-Announcement System｣ are currently pending before the National Assembly. 

 The Regulations define key administrative terms to make them easier for the public to understand. In particular, they specify that “Visa Quotas” refers to “the annual appropriate number of visas to be issued, as determined by the Minister of Justice, for each visa category under which the inflow of the foreign nationals may affect employment opportunities for Korean nationals, wages, social integration, local livelihoods, the regional economy, or other related factors”.

 Along with the definition, the regulations also stipulate core operational procedures for the ｢Visa Issuance Quota Pre-Announcement System｣, consisting of Research & Surveys → Seek Views of Relevant Ministries → Expert Consultation → Determination of Visa Quotas → Public Announcement. 

 In addition, by requiring MOJ to seek the views of relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Employment and Labor, and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, when determining visa quotas, the Regulations will ensure that policies on foreign nationals and visa issuance are developed in a more transparent and reasonable manner.

 Furthermore, MOJ will establish a monitoring framework to continuously assess foreign inflows, including their impact on ① immigration order and immigration policy, ②the employment and wages of Korean nationals, ③changes in labor demand, ④actual foreign inflows relative to visa quotas. Where necessary, including in response to changes in economic conditions, visa quotas will be adjusted as appropriate. This framework will support a foreign inflow management system that gives the public greater confidence.  

 Starting this year, in line with the ｢2030 Future Strategy for Immigration Policy｣, the analysis will be expanded beyond employment visa holders to cover overseas Koreans and international students. Proposed visa quotas will be referred to the ｢Foreigners’ Policy Committee｣ comprising 20 relevant ministries and agencies for in-depth deliberation before being finalized. 

 Minister Jung stated, “The Ministry of Justice will remain committed to pursuing immigration policies that earns greater public trust and support through the scientific and systematic management of foreign inflows under the newly enacted ｢Visa Issuance Quota Pre-Announcement System｣”.