South Korea grants citizenship to elite foreign scientists
The nation bypasses traditional bureaucracy to naturalize hundreds of researchers, including a Yale mathematician who became the first female tenured professor in her department.
South Korea uses a specialized legal pathway to grant citizenship to foreign researchers who show exceptional talent in critical fields. Since the program began in 2011, hundreds of high level professionals have naturalized, with science and engineering experts making up a significant portion of the cohort. By July 2026, the number of science and engineering professionals who obtained citizenship through these channels reached 245.
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