🚨 NEW: Korea just officially launched its 24-university caregiver program First semester 2026 is open now. Filipino applicants are a priority nationality.
Register Your Interest β†’
Government-Backed Β· Pilot 2026 2027

Study, work,
and stay
in Korea.

The Korean government just designated 24 universities to train foreign caregivers. Study for 2 years, get licensed, and build a life in South Korea. This program is brand new and Filipinos are the top priority nationality.

Register My Interest Free See the Full Journey
116K
Caregivers needed
in Korea by 2028
24
Designated
universities
2 Yrs
Study to
employment
PR Path
E-7-2 β†’ F-2
residency route
1
Enroll at a designated Korean university
D-2 student visa Β· Korean language included
↓
2
Complete 320-hour caregiver training
Theory + field practice at nursing facilities
↓
3
Pass the National Caregiver Exam
TOPIK Level 3 Korean required for work visa
↓
4
Get your E-7-2 Caregiver Visa
Work at certified elderly care facilities
↓
5
Build toward permanent residency
E-7-2 earns points toward F-2-7 long-term residency
Why This Program Matters

Korea is opening its doors. This is your moment.

South Korea officially became a "super-aged society" in 2025 over 20% of the population is now over 65. The country does not have enough caregivers. The government is now opening its doors to foreign workers in a structured, legal, government-backed way.

21.2%
Of Korea's population is now over 65 years old. As of 2025, that's 10.84 million people needing care.
116,000
Foreign caregivers needed by 2028. The government cannot fill this with local workers alone.
24
Universities just designated by the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Health and Welfare starting first semester 2026.
E-7-2
Specialized visa category unlike factory worker E-9 visas, E-7 gives you a pathway to long-term residency and family invitation rights.
F-2-7
Long-term residency is the end goal. E-7-2 employment earns points toward the F-2 visa a real permanent residency path.
2026
This is brand new. The pilot just launched. No established Filipino pipeline exists yet. Being early means being first in line.
Step by Step

Your complete journey to Korea.

From the Philippines to a Korean nursing facility here is exactly how it works, step by step.

πŸŽ“
Enroll at University
Apply to one of the 24 designated Korean universities. Arrive on a D-2 student visa. Korean language education is included in the program.
D-2 Student Visa
πŸ“š
Study and Train
Complete the 2-year associate degree in caregiving. Complete the required 320 hours of on-site field practice at a certified nursing facility.
320 Hours Field Practice
πŸ“‹
Pass the National Exam
Take and pass the Korean National Caregiver Certification Exam. Also reach TOPIK Level 3 Korean proficiency this is required for your work visa.
TOPIK Level 3 Required
πŸ›‚
Get Your E-7-2 Visa
With your caregiver certificate and an employment contract from a certified elderly care facility, you apply for the E-7-2 Caregiver specialized visa.
E-7-2 Caregiver Visa
🏠
Work and Build Residency
Work legally at a Korean nursing home or elderly welfare facility. Accumulate points toward the F-2-7 long-term residency visa. Invite family later.
F-2-7 Residency Path
Requirements

Who can apply?

These are the requirements based on the official Korean government guidelines for the 2026 pilot program.

πŸ‡΅πŸ‡­
Filipino Citizen
Valid Philippine passport required. Filipinos are among the priority nationalities for this program.
πŸŽ“
High School Graduate (Minimum)
You must hold at least a high school diploma to enroll in the 2-year associate degree program at a Korean university.
πŸ—£οΈ
Korean Language TOPIK Level 3
Required for the E-7-2 work visa after graduation. Korean language is taught as part of your university program and starting early gives you a real advantage.
πŸ“‹
National Caregiver Certificate
You must pass the Korean National Caregiver Certification Exam after completing the required 320 hours of training. This unlocks your work visa.
πŸ₯
Employment at a Certified Facility
Your employer must be a certified nursing home or elderly medical welfare facility as defined under Korea's Senior Citizens Welfare Act.
βœ…
Clean Background
NBI clearance and equivalent Korean background check will be required during the visa application process.
About TOPIK Korean Language Proficiency Test
TOPIK is the official Korean language exam. Level 3 is the minimum required for the E-7-2 work visa. Your university program will include Korean language training Level 3 is achievable within 12 to 18 months of dedicated study.
TOPIK Levels
1
2
3
4
5
6
Red = Required Β· Gold = Stronger profile
The 24 Universities

Government-designated universities.

These are the 24 universities officially designated by Korea's Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Health and Welfare for the 2026 2027 pilot. Priority universities already have foreign student pipelines in place.

Visa Roadmap

From student to resident.

This is what makes the Korea Caregiver program different from a regular work visa. There is a clear legal path from student to long-term resident and eventually to family invitation rights.

πŸŽ“
D-2
Student Visa
You arrive in Korea on a D-2 student visa. This covers your entire 2-year study period at the designated university. Korean language and caregiver training are both done under this visa.
Active during 2-year study
πŸ₯
E-7-2
Caregiver Specialized Visa
After graduation and passing the national exam, you apply for the E-7-2. This is a specialized professional visa not a factory worker visa. Requirements: Caregiver Certificate + TOPIK Level 3 + employment contract with a certified elderly care facility.
Key milestone this is the goal
🏠
F-2-7
Long-Term Residency (Points-Based)
Working under the E-7-2 visa earns you points toward the F-2-7 long-term residency visa. Unlike E-9 (factory/labor) visa holders, E-7 holders have a recognized path to this status. F-2-7 gives you the right to work in any field in Korea.
Points accumulate during E-7-2 employment
πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§
Family Rights
Invite Family to Korea
Under certain E-7 conditions, you may be eligible to invite immediate family members to join you in Korea. This is a right that E-9 labor visa holders do not have it is one of the key advantages of the E-7-2 route.
Available under E-7 category conditions
Our Honest Take

The real picture honest and complete.

We will always be straight with you. Here is what makes this program exciting and what you need to go in with eyes open about.

βœ… Why This Is a Real Opportunity
πŸ›οΈ
Government-backed and officially designated this is not a private agency program. The Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Health and Welfare are directly behind it.
πŸ›‚
E-7-2 is a professional visa not a factory visa. It gives you real rights and a path to long-term residency that E-9 workers do not have.
πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§
Family invitation rights are possible under E-7 conditions something not available on an E-9 labor visa.
πŸ‡΅πŸ‡­
Filipinos are among the priority nationalities. Korea's health authorities specifically identified Filipino nurses and caregivers as the target workforce.
⏰
This is brand new in 2026. Being early means being first in line with the universities and the system before it gets crowded.
πŸ“‹ What to Prepare For
πŸ—£οΈ
Korean language takes consistent effort. TOPIK Level 3 is achievable in around 12 to 18 months of steady study. Your university program includes Korean starting early puts you ahead.
πŸ”¬
This is a 2-year pilot (2026 2027). The government evaluates each semester. This is actually a sign of quality control only universities that deliver results stay in the program.
πŸ“
Most designated universities are in regional cities outside Seoul. These cities offer a quieter, more focused environment for your first two years lower cost of living, tighter-knit communities.
πŸ’°
Tuition and living costs vary by university. We are confirming exact figures with our contacts and will publish them as soon as they are available.
πŸ“‹
The detailed application process for Filipino applicants is being finalized. We are in contact with the relevant universities and will update this page as soon as confirmed steps are available step for Filipinos.
πŸ‡΅πŸ‡­ Be among the first Filipinos to register for this program. We'll notify you the moment applications open.
Register Your Interest
I want to study and work in Korea.
Leave your details and we will reach out directly as this program develops. No fees. No commitment.
FAQ

Questions about Korea.

The 24 universities were officially designated in early 2026 and are now authorized to begin recruiting foreign students starting first semester 2026. The process for Filipino applicants is still being finalized. Register your interest now and we will contact you the moment it is officially open.
You do not need Korean before you enroll your university teaches it as part of the program. Reaching TOPIK Level 3 before you can get your E-7-2 work visa after graduation. The earlier you start studying Korean, the better your chances of passing the exam on time.
Very different. The E-9 is a labor visa with strict limitations you are tied to one employer, you cannot freely change jobs, and you have no path to long-term residency. The E-7-2 caregiver visa is a specialized professional visa. It earns points toward the F-2-7 long-term residency visa, and under certain conditions allows you to invite family members. It is a completely different category with significantly more rights.
We are still gathering confirmed tuition and living cost figures from the 24 designated universities. Korean university tuition for associate degree programs is generally lower than private universities. We will publish specific cost breakdowns as soon as we confirm them with our Korean partners. Register your interest and we will share cost details directly with you.
This is currently a 2-year government pilot running from 2026 to 2027. The Korean government will evaluate each university semester by semester. Universities that perform well could have their programs expanded. Universities that underperform could be removed. The program could be extended, modified, or formalized after the pilot. This is worth planning around which is why we always advise not building your entire plan around one program alone.
Yes, significantly. A nursing background means you already understand caregiving practice, anatomy, and patient care. This will make the 320-hour training and the national exam considerably easier. Your Philippine nursing license does not automatically transfer to Korea, but your background is a genuine advantage in the application and the program itself.