"Considering Skilled Visa·PR Pathways for Nonprofessional Workers"[ESF2025]

[Ji-hyun Ham, Edaily Reporter] “We should consider supporting nonprofessional foreign workers who currently hold E-9 (nonprofessional employment) visas to acquire skills and transition to E-7-4 (skilled employment) visas, and ultimately obtain permanent residency.”

James Riccio, Principal Research Fellow, MDRC, says during an interview with Edaily, stating, “This approach not only resolves labor shortages in specific industries but also allows immigrants to establish families in Korea, thereby contributing to increasing birth rates and mitigating population decline.”

Riccio, Principal Research Fellow, MDRC, one of the three major think tanks in the United States, is scheduled to speak at the ‘Edaily-PERI Special Symposium’ to be held at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul on the 19th, where he will present on the importance of scientifically designed immigration policies.

James Riccio, Principal Research Fellow, MDRC (Photo: MDRC)

“Immigration is urgent, but must be planned long-term”

Given that Korea faces an ultra-low birth rate, he argued that immigration expansion is essential. He first noted, “The decline in birth rates is a complex issue, so we must consider strengthening social safety nets, creating family-friendly employment environments, and improving cultural perceptions, all of which can be effective, but may take a long time.” He added, “To fill the gap, large-scale immigration expansion is essential. In particular, it can be an immediate response to the labor shortage in rural areas and the crisis of regional extinction.”

However, while immediate effects are important, he advised that potential conflicts arising from this must also be anticipated and mitigated. Riccio emphasized, “Immigration is a complex and controversial issue. Many countries are struggling to find solutions. Immigration policy should not be limited to short-term labor supply. It must be designed from a long-term perspective, including integrating immigrants into mainstream Korean society and expanding pathways to permanent residency and citizenship.”

In response to the question that Korean perceptions of foreign workers are divided between low-wage labor and high-skilled talent to be secured, he said, “The two perspectives do not necessarily conflict. Korea can benefit from both nonprofessional foreign workers and the influx of highly skilled talent. In fact, the Korean government is pursuing immigration expansion in both directions.”

Regarding successful overseas cases of utilizing immigration, he introduced, “Missouri’s St. Louis and New York’s Rochester have promoted immigrant integration into local communities by establishing immigrant welcome centers, providing employment support, skills training, housing, social networking, and leisure activities. These efforts have actually contributed to some degree in alleviating population decline in those cities.”

“NO to reform based on speculation… Policy effectiveness must be verified”

Riccio also stressed that policies for accepting immigrants must be designed scientifically. He said, “Population and immigration policies can directly and indirectly affect the lives of millions, including both immigrants and non-immigrants. Since they can impact the dynamism of the national economy and the socioeconomic welfare of residents, it is not desirable to push for major reforms based on simple speculation or intuition.”

He added, “Before fully implementing innovative policy reforms, carefully designed evaluation studies should be conducted to persuade both advocates and skeptics. This can help avoid wasting resources and allow government policy and budgets to focus on verified effective measures.”

So, what methodology can be used? Riccio highlighted randomized controlled trials (RCTs). This is an experimental method where new policies are randomly applied to a test group and not to a control group, and their behavioral changes are observed to analyze policy effects in advance. At this symposium, policies and verification methods to encourage immigrants to migrate and settle in regions facing population decline and labor shortages will be discussed.

He stated, “Promising areas that can be verified through RCTs include EPS (Employment Permit System) reforms, support for immigrants’ migration and settlement in rural areas, support policies for E-9 visa holders to transition to skilled immigration (E-7), social services for new immigrants’ social integration, financial incentives to reduce child-rearing costs, and policies to encourage labor market participation among the elderly. This provides a good opportunity to verify the effectiveness of policy innovations.”

About James Riccio

He holds a Ph.D. in sociology from Princeton University and has built a research career in social policy at MDRC. He is currently involved with the Community Builders, a nonprofit housing development organization, serves on the research committee of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, and advises the UK Department for Work and Pensions on research methods.