As caregiver shortage looms, government turns to young foreigners

A patient at a rehabilitation hospital in Gwangju is wheeled out on July 27. [YONHAP]

The Health Ministry on Thursday announced it will pursue a raft of measures to bring in young foreigners to work as caregivers to fill a looming shortage.

A shortfall of 100,000 caregivers is expected to occur by 2027 as the country ages rapidly.

One of the measures the ministry is examining is allowing D-10 visa holders to acquire nursing qualifications.

The D-10 visa is granted to graduates of Korean universities or those who have spent at least a year working in the country.

The ministry’s goal is to allow D-10 visa holders to transition to an E-7 visa if they obtain a nursing certificate and are employed at a nursing home or a rehabilitation hospital.

The proposal also would grant a leg up to those who have worked two to three years as caregivers to obtain permanent residency or a residency visa.

“Permanent residency is the status most coveted by foreign nationals, so incentives like this help [fill the gap],” a ministry official said.

The government aims to establish a ratio of one caregiver per four patients.

While there are currently 2.5 million qualified caregivers, only around 600,000 are presently employed in the sector.

Among approximately 10,000 D-10 visa holders in Korea, the government estimates around 3,000 people studying health and welfare-related degrees could benefit from the new policy.

The Health Ministry said it is holding consultations with the Justice Ministry and other government departments to craft policies to attract qualified overseas workers.

BY MICHAEL LEE [lee.junhyuk@joongang.co.kr]