Immigrants to the US from South Korea most often need an employment-based visa – like the H-1B visa (for specialty jobs), L-1 visa , or E-2 visa – an F-1 visa (for students), or help applying for the visa waiver program (ESTA). Whatever your situation, if you need help immigrating to Massachusetts from South Korea, contact me, Boston immigration attorney Giselle M. Rodriguez. I help clients with the full range of immigration challenges, from visas to citizenship. I work with clients throughout Greater Boston and Massachusetts. Contact me today to discuss your case, or read on to find out more about achiveing the immigration status you need.
Why come to the US from Korea?
The passage of the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act contributed to a significant uptick in Korean migration to the United States, due to provisions for family reunification and permanent settlement. Many of these immigrants were skilled professionals or university students who came to the Greater Boston area for its quality educational and employment opportunities. The Allston-Brighton neighborhood is home to a cluster of streets known as Boston’s “Koreatown”; Cambridge, Brookline, and the suburbs of Lexington, Newton, and Somerville also have robust Korean communities. Overall, the United States is home to 2.6 million Koreans, the largest concentration of South Koreans outside of South Korea.
South Korean immigrants residing in Massachusetts tend to have very favorable educational and career-based outcomes. 75% of Korean-Americans have obtained a Bachelor’s degree or higher and 63% have fruitful careers in highly-skilled professional fields such as in management or sales. Koreans in Massachusetts also show high rates of self-employment as evident in the sizable presence of Korean-owned restaurants and cleaning businesses.
Employment & Education
Massachusetts is one of the top-rated states for educational opportunity. It is home to some of the most prestigious high schools and universities in the country. Most notably, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Boston University are all located in Boston, Massachusetts. For those hoping to receive an education once they arrive in the United States, there is no better place than Massachusetts. If you are looking to obtain an F-1, J-1, or M-1 visa in order to attend a local university, I can assist you in that process.
The Boston job market has been generally quite robust, showing several positive trends as of mid-2024. Similarly, the unemployment rate has remained relatively low at only 4.3%. If you are coming to the United States in search of gainful employment, Massachusetts is a great place to develop your career.
Community Resources
You will find that there is a robust Korean community in Boston. The Boston Foundation has put together an Asian Community Fund to support the Asian American and Pacific Islander population in the city. The goal of this fund is to facilitate unity within the AAPI community and increase visibility for this demographic of people. Similarly, the Asian Community Development Corporation promote efforts to create and preserve the sustainable development of affordable, healthy, and culturally colorful Asian neighborhoods. The AACA offers an array of services such as specialized career training, English education courses, housing services, benefit or government assistance help, employment services, youth services and counseling. You will also find that there is no shortage of mental and physical health resources in the area catered specifically to Asian American communities throughout Boston and its suburbs.
Processing Times in Boston
If you’re from Korea and seeking a visa, plan to allot 7 to 24 months for processing. If you require a visa to meet a deadline for school or work, it is important to work closely with my office to ensure your documents will be processed in time.
Unsure which type of visa or status to request? I can help. Contact me to discuss your goals and situation, and I can assist you in selecting the right program for your unique needs.