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Domestic Employment of Foreign Aquaculture Technicians to be Expanded

  • Date

    2026.01.29.

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    3

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Domestic Employment of Foreign Aquaculture Technicians to be Expanded
- Pilot expansion to 16 aquaculture species starting Tuesday, January 2, 2026
 
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (Acting Minister Kim Sung-bum) and the Ministry of Justice (Minister Jung Sung-ho) announced that the scope of domestic employment for foreign aquaculture technicians, previously limited to sea cucumbers, will be expanded and applied to 16 aquaculture species* starting this year.
 
* (Current) sea cucumber + (Pilot program operation, 2 years) fish (halibut, Korean rockfish, mullet, red seabream), shellfish (oysters, mussels, Manila clams, blood clams, abalone), crustaceans (whiteleg shrimp), seaweed (laver, wakame, kelp), invertebrates (snails, stalked sea squirt, Korean sea squirt)
 
The aquaculture industry has suffered from a labor shortage due to an aging population and a low influx of young people. In particular, it has been difficult to recruit the necessary technicians for broodstock management, seed production, intermediate aquaculture, and adult fish rearing. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has been actively discussing this issue with the Ministry of Justice, reflecting the growing demand for the greater domestic employment of foreign aquaculture technicians. As a result, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has decided to conduct a two-year pilot program for 16 aquaculture species and expand operations based on the results.
 
On September 23, the Ministry of Justice, following a deliberation by the Visa and Residence Policy Council, approved the issuance of "General Skilled Worker (E-7-3)" visas for 16 aquaculture species. Following inter-ministerial consultations on visa requirements, the new visa program went into effect on January 2 this year. This will allow around 200 foreign aquaculture technicians (up to two per company) to work in Korea annually for the next two years of the pilot program.
 
Businesses seeking to hire foreign aquaculture technicians can employ qualified aquaculture technicians, such as having worked in the relevant aquaculture field for a certain period of time, and then apply through the Korea Visa Portal (www.visa.go.kr). After receiving an "Employment Recommendation" from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and undergoing a review by the Ministry of Justice, the issuance of visas for the foreign aquaculture technicians can proceed.
Acting Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kim Sung-bum stated, "This expansion of domestic employment of foreign aquaculture technicians will help mitigate the chronic labor shortage in the aquaculture industry and recruit specialized personnel in a timely manner," and added, "We will keep monitoring the pilot program operation by means of onsite surveys, and communicate closely with the industry to support the stable operation of the domestic aquaculture industry."
 
Minister of Justice Jung Sung-ho stated, "Going forward, the Ministry of Justice will actively utilize the Visa and Residence Policy Council to improve the visa system by reflecting the voices on the ground."
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