Foreign Caregiver Workforce Policy Update / foreign caregiver training program in korea

💡 Quick Take: From next academic year, 24 universities nationwide will open dedicated tracks to train international students as certified caregivers. The foreign caregiver training program covers recruitment → degree curriculum → national certification → employment, with relaxed visa financial requirements and ongoing government evaluation.

Korea will launch a comprehensive foreign caregiver training program across 24 designated universities to address rising long-term care needs. Selected schools—including Myongji College and Jeju Tourism College—will operate department-level tracks exclusively for international students, managing the entire pipeline from admission to on-site employment. During a two-year pilot, each university will run a caregiver training degree course that embeds tailored Korean-language learning, hands-on practicum, and test prep for the National Caregiver License. The initiative also eases visa financial requirements for admitted students and aligns with regional labor demand through close coordination with local governments.

Policy oversight will be shared by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health & Welfare, which convened expert panels and regional recommendations to finalize the 24 institutions. Throughout the pilot, schools will conduct term-by-term self-assessments while ministries perform regular audits and a final performance evaluation before deciding on a full-scale rollout. In short, the foreign caregiver training program aims to stabilize workforce supply, strengthen care quality, and create a predictable study-to-work pathway for international students.

What the Program Includes (End-to-End Pipeline)

1) Targeted recruitment & admissions

Designated universities can use the official title “Foreign Caregiver Training University” in recruitment for students starting next spring semester. Admissions are coordinated with ministries and local governments to prioritize regions facing caregiver shortages. This ensures the foreign caregiver training program meets real labor-market demand.

2) Degree-level caregiver curriculum

Universities will run a department dedicated to international students, offering courses in geriatric care, ethics, safety, basic nursing skills, dementia-care practice, and community-based long-term care. Embedded Korean-language instruction focuses on clinical communication and documentation so graduates can function confidently in real facilities. The foreign caregiver training program requires practical training with elderly-care providers.

3) National qualification & employment support

Universities must secure designation from the metropolitan government as a Caregiver Education Institution under the Elderly Welfare Act. That status enables test-aligned instruction, supervised practicums, and job matching. Career centers and local public health networks will support placements, making the foreign caregiver training program a reliable study-to-license-to-job pathway.

4) Compliance, audits, and performance review

Each semester, designated universities must self-review outcomes (language proficiency, credits, practicum hours, pass rates, job offers). Ministries and local governments will conduct regular onsite checks and a final pilot evaluation to determine whether the foreign caregiver training program becomes permanent.

Who Is Eligible & What Improves for Students?

  • International applicants admitted to a designated department can enroll in the foreign caregiver training program from the first semester next year.

  • Visa financial requirements are relaxed for enrollees in the designated departments, lowering entry barriers while maintaining status compliance.

  • Korean-language learning is built into the curriculum and tailored to caregiving settings—charting, reporting, safety protocols, and family communication.

  • Certification & placement support include test prep, practicum matching, and employment guidance with long-term care facilities.

For broader policy context and related updates, see our internal hubs: Korea Policy Blog and Health & Care Archive.

University Requirements (For Designated Schools)

To operate the foreign caregiver training program, each university must:

  • Obtain Caregiver Education Institution designation from the metropolitan government under the Elderly Welfare Act.

  • Run a dedicated department for international students (curriculum, practicum, language training, counseling).

  • Follow ministry guidelines on curriculum, faculty ratios, practicum hours, safety, and reporting.

  • Submit term-by-term self-assessments and cooperate with regular joint inspections by ministries and local governments.

Step-by-Step: How Students Can Prepare

  1. Confirm designation: Check if your target school/department is on the 24-university list for the foreign caregiver training program.

  2. Gather documents: Transcripts, passport, financials (noting relaxed criteria), language certificates, and health records.

  3. Plan language study: Prioritize medical/caregiving vocabulary; leverage the department’s tailored Korean-language track.

  4. Understand practicum: Clarify hours, partner facilities, supervision, and insurance before semester begins.

  5. Map your pathway: Degree → national exam → job placement. Track milestones to maximize outcomes within the foreign caregiver training program.

FAQ — Top Questions About the Foreign Caregiver Training Program

1) When does the program start?

Designated departments may begin from the first semester next year, recruiting under the official title and operating the foreign caregiver training program immediately.

2) What changes on the visa side?

For students admitted to the designated departments, visa financial requirements are relaxed, making entry more feasible while maintaining compliance with immigration rules tied to the foreign caregiver training program.

3) Is Korean-language study mandatory?

Yes. Tailored Korean-language education is embedded in the curriculum so graduates can function safely and effectively in long-term care settings within the foreign caregiver training program.

4) Do universities need extra approvals?

Yes. Each school must be designated by the metropolitan government as a Caregiver Education Institution to run the foreign caregiver training program (curriculum + practicum).

5) How will quality be monitored?

There will be regular audits by ministries/local governments, semesterly self-assessments by universities, and a final performance review to decide whether the foreign caregiver training program becomes a permanent, nationwide policy.

Summary (Key Points)

• 24 universities will open dedicated tracks for international students under the foreign caregiver training program (admissions → degree → license → employment).
• Departments embed Korean-language training, supervised practicums, and test prep for national certification.
• Visa financial requirements are relaxed for admitted students in designated departments.
• Universities need Caregiver Education Institution status and must pass regular audits and a final performance evaluation.
• The pilot’s results will determine full national rollout of the foreign caregiver training program.

Conclusion: A Structured Pathway from Campus to Care

The foreign caregiver training program is designed to close workforce gaps while safeguarding care quality. By coordinating recruitment, language learning, practicum, and licensing within a single department, the policy gives international students a clear, supported route to employment. Universities that meet designation standards can start from the next spring semester, and students benefit from relaxed visa financial requirements plus structured job support. If performance metrics remain strong through the pilot, expect a long-term, nationwide foreign caregiver training program that shores up eldercare capacity across regions.

Official Resources

• Immigration & visas: HiKorea (Korean Immigration Service)
• Long-term care policy: Ministry of Health & Welfare

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