Seoul, South Korea–The Korean government has announced a new visa program to attract culture lovers interested in learning about the Korean entertainment industry and content creation process.
Per a report, the Hallyu visa is specifically designed for foreigners interested in Korea’s pop culture and entertainment industry and aims to further promote the same on the global stage.
The Korean government aims to attract 30 million travelers and generate $3 billion in revenue via tourism by 2027.
The visa program is part of the government’s efforts to attract more foreign talent to help boost the country’s economy.
With the rise of remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Korea hopes to capitalize on this trend by offering a visa that allows culture lovers to learn about its entertainment industry while experiencing its unique culture.
To qualify for the Hallyu visa, applicants must have the following:
- A valid passport
- Proof of sufficient financial resources to support themselves during their stay
- Applicants must also provide evidence of their interest in Korean pop culture and entertainment, such as attending concerts, registering at local performing art academies such as acting, or participating in fan clubs.
The new visa will reportedly allow K-pop lovers to stay in Korea for up to six months, possibly extending their stay for another 18 months.
Visa holders can also access support programs, such as Korean language classes and cultural activities, to help them better integrate into Korean society.
“There are a lot of foreigners who come to Korea because they want to learn how to become a famous choreographer or a K-pop artist, and they mostly come as students,” said Timon Youn, co-CEO of 1Million Dance Studio, in another report.
“They come through student visas and study majors that aren’t related to their career or interests or come as exchange students, but just practice dancing all day long rather than studying,” he added.
Korean pop culture, also known as Hallyu, has gained widespread popularity recently, particularly in Asia and beyond. With the Hallyu visa, the Korean government hopes to leverage this popularity to attract more foreign talent.
“The Hallyu visa is a great opportunity for foreigners to experience Korea’s unique culture while also contributing to the country’s economy,” said a Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson in the report.
Per the article, the country also plans on rolling out its digital nomad visa soon.
South Korea is currently focusing on building a co-working infrastructure capable of hosting the growing global digital nomad community.
The visa programs are expected to launch in the coming months. The government plans to promote it through various channels, including social media and international events.
Wow. 6 to 18 months? South Korea takes KPOP and its fans seriously. Makes sense to me though because I see how this army basically dominates Twitter for certain hashtags and that legion originates from all over the world. Stunning, really, when you see the power of the crew. Inviting them to stick around South Korea for a bit seems like a smart choice for business, publicity, etc.