How to Apply for Hongcheon-gun F-2-R Regional Visa 2026

The Millo Blog Editorial Team reviewed official notices from the Hongcheon-gun Office and the Korea Immigration Service. Updated August 15, 2026.

If you are a foreign resident living in Hongcheon, you may be eligible to transition to a regional specialized visa through a local government initiative designed to support regional population growth. To understand how to apply for Hongcheon-gun F-2-R regional visa 2026, you must submit an in-person application to the Hongcheon-gun Office by the deadline of September 30, 2026. This initiative specifically targets transitions to the F-2-R, E-7-4R, and F-4-R visa categories.

Which visa types are available for transition in 2026?

An infographic showing the three regional specialized visa types available for Hongcheon-gun residents. — Comparison of F-2-R, E-7-4R, and F-4-R categories

The Hongcheon-gun regional transition initiative is open to foreign nationals seeking to move into specific regional specialized visa categories. These visas are designed to allow foreign residents to reside and work in designated areas with more flexibility than standard employment visas.

F-2-R (Regional Specialized Residency Visa): A residency visa for those who commit to living and working in the region.
E-7-4R (Regional Skilled Worker Visa): A transition for skilled workers based on a point system, tailored for regional needs.
F-4-R (Regional Specialized Overseas Korean Visa): A specific transition path for eligible overseas Koreans.

What are the income and quota requirements for F-2-R?

Eligibility for the F-2-R visa is subject to both numerical quotas and financial thresholds. Because these quotas are limited, applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis or according to regional priority.

Quota Availability

The number of available slots varies by visa type. For 2026, the quotas are managed as follows:

Visa Type	Quota Management	Available Slots
F-2-R	Hongcheon-gun specific	65 persons
E-7-4R	Gangwon-do integrated pool	Managed provincially

Income Requirements

To qualify for the F-2-R visa in Hongcheon-gun, applicants must meet a minimum income threshold. For the 2026 cycle, the requirement is based on the annual living wage set by the local government, which is approximately 29,882,424 KRW per year.

Note: Living wage calculations can be adjusted. It is essential to confirm the exact current figure with the Hongcheon-gun Population Policy Team before submitting your final documents.

How to submit your regional visa application?

A step-by-step flowchart starting with a phone call to the Population Policy Team and ending with document submission at the gun office. — From appointment to in-person submission

Unlike many immigration processes that allow online submission, the Hongcheon-gun regional transition application requires a physical visit to the local government office. Follow these steps to ensure your application is received correctly.

Schedule an Appointment: Contact the Hongcheon-gun Office at 033-430-2036 to request a prior appointment. This prevents long wait times and ensures the relevant officer is available to receive your documents.
Visit the Office: Go to the Hongcheon-gun Office in person. Your application must be delivered to the Planning and Audit Department, Population Policy Team.
Submit Documentation: Provide all required evidence of eligibility, income, and residency as specified in the official public notice.
Wait for Review: The local government will review the application against the available quota and eligibility criteria before coordinating with the Ministry of Justice.

Common questions about the Hongcheon visa transition

Can I apply online?

No. Applications for this specific regional initiative must be submitted via an in-person visit to the Hongcheon-gun Office.

What happens if the quota is filled?

The F-2-R quota is limited to 65 people. Once this limit is reached, the local government may stop accepting new applications for that specific category for the current cycle.

Where can I find the official announcement?

Official notices are posted on the Hongcheon-gun Office website under the “News/Announcements” (소식·알림) section. You can view the specific notice regarding regional specialized visas on the Hongcheon-gun official website.

Next steps for applicants

If you intend to apply, your immediate priority should be confirming your income eligibility and securing an appointment. Because the deadline is September 30, 2026, and quotas are limited, early submission is highly recommended.

Call 033-430-2036 to verify the current living wage requirement and book an appointment.
Prepare your financial documents to prove you meet the ~29.8 million KRW annual income threshold.
Visit the Planning and Audit Department at the Hongcheon-gun Office to submit your paperwork.

Understanding the Application Workflow

The visa transition process in Hongcheon-gun operates as a recommendation-based system. Unlike standard visa applications submitted directly to immigration offices, this initiative requires a primary screening by the local government. The Planning and Audit Department’s Population Policy Team acts as the first point of contact and evaluation. Their role is to verify that applicants meet the specific regional needs and eligibility criteria outlined in the official public notice.

Once the local government confirms that an applicant meets the requirements and falls within the available quota, they provide a recommendation to the Ministry of Justice. The final decision on the visa issuance remains with the immigration authorities, but the local government’s endorsement is a mandatory prerequisite for this specific regional path.

Distinctions Between Visa Pool Management

It is important for applicants to distinguish how quotas are managed, as the administrative process differs between the F-2-R and E-7-4R categories.

Local Management (F-2-R): The quota of 65 persons is specifically allocated to Hongcheon-gun. This means the local government has direct control over the number of recommendations it can issue for this category.
Provincial Management (E-7-4R): This visa is managed under a Gangwon-do integrated pool. This implies that the quota is shared across the province, and the selection process may be coordinated at a higher administrative level than the local Hongcheon-gun office.

Practical Tips for Income Verification

Because the F-2-R eligibility is tied to the annual living wage, financial documentation is the most critical part of the application. The current approximate figure of 29,882,424 KRW is a baseline derived from local government standards rather than a fixed national immigration rule.

To avoid application rejection, applicants should perform the following checks before visiting the office:

Request Current Calculations: Call 033-430-2036 to ask for the most recent, exact living wage figure for the 2026 cycle.
Verify Document Alignment: Ensure that the income proof, such as official tax certificates, aligns exactly with the timeframe required by the Population Policy Team.
Confirm Income Type: Clarify with the office whether the income requirement refers to gross annual earnings or net income after specific deductions.

Maximizing the In-Person Visit

Since the Hongcheon-gun Office requires in-person submission, planning the visit is essential to avoid administrative delays. The Population Policy Team handles various demographic and population-related tasks, meaning they may not be available for walk-in consultations.

When scheduling your appointment via 033-430-2036, it is advisable to ask for a comprehensive checklist of the specific documents required for your particular visa type (F-2-R, E-7-4R, or F-4-R). This ensures that you do not have to make multiple trips to the Planning and Audit Department. Remember that while the formal deadline is September 30, 2026, the F-2-R quota is strictly limited to 65 people; consequently, the window may effectively close sooner if all slots are filled.