Since January 1, 2024, South Korea has introduced its digital nomad visa called the Workation Visa (F-1-D).
With this visa, you can work remotely from South Korea for up to two years, as long as you meet the income requirements (about USD 62,000/year).
South Korea: Quick facts
Who Can Apply for a South Korea Digital Nomad Visa?
To be eligible for e digital nomad visa for South Korea, you have to meet the following requirements:
- You are 18 years old or older.
- You have at least one year of work experience in your current profession.*
- You work for an employer outside of South Korea.
- You have a minimum annual income of KRW 84,960,000 (approx. USD 61,359).**
- You have international health insurance with coverage over USD 75,000.
- You have a clean criminal record.
*Currently, if you are a freelancer not affiliated with companies, you are not allowed to apply for the South Korean digital nomad visa.
**The minimum annual income is based on “pre-tax” income.
How to Apply for a Digital Nomad Visa to South Korea?
You have to apply for a digital nomad visa at the nearest South Korean embassy or consulate. Here is the step-by-step process:
Gather the required documents
The first step in applying for a South Korean digital nomad visa is to collect all the necessary documents. Documents must be submitted in English or translated into Korean, and an apostille (or Consular Legalization) is required for official documents issued abroad, such as criminal record certificates or family relation certificates.
Schedule a visa appointment
Once you have gathered your required documents, book an appointment with the nearest South Korean embassy or consulate. Depending on your home country, you can make an appointment via email or phone. You may have to wait a few weeks to attend your visa appointment.
Attend your appointment and pay the visa fee
On the day of your appointment, make sure you have all the required documents with you, and show up on time. That day, you will also pay the visa fee (the payment method depends on the specific embassy or consulate).
Wait for approval
The South Korean embassy or consulate will respond to your visa application within 10 to 15 days. Of course, this could be longer, depending on the workload.
Enter South Korea and register as a resident
When you get your visa, you are free to travel to South Korea. After landing in the country, you must apply for an Alien Registration Card (ARC) at a local immigration within 90 days.
Processing Times for a South Korea Digital Nomad Visa Application
The processing time for a South Korean digital nomad visa (F-1-D) is 10 to 15 days, it all depends on the embassy or consulate’s workload and the required additional documentation.
What Documents Should You Submit?
When you apply for a South Korea digital nomad visa, you have to submit the following documents:
- A completed visa application form. You have to complete the form truthfully, using a black or blue pen. Please make sure all fields are completed.
- A passport, with at least six months remaining validity and two blank pages.
- A passport photo, taken within the last six months.
- Proof of remote work. As proof, you can submit one of these documents:
- Employment letter
- Freelance work contracts
- Business ownership documents
- Proof of minimum annual income of KRW 84,960,000 (approx. USD 61,359). You can submit one of the following:
- Payslips
- Bank statements
- Tax documents
- Clean criminal record. You must provide a recent document, translated in Korean, and apostilled.
- International health insurance. The international health insurance must cover your entire stay in South Korea and provide coverage of at least USD 75,000.*
- Proof of relationship with dependents. Provide the following documents as proof of your relationship with dependents:
- A marriage certificate for your spouse.
- A birth certificate for your children.
*Accompanying family members also need to have medical insurance to cover any emergency situations while staying in South Korea.
How Long Is the South Korea Digital Nomad Visa Valid?
A South Korean digital nomad visa is valid for one year. The validity starts from the first time you enter the country.
The South Korean digital nomad visa can be issued as a single, double, or multiple-entry visa.
Cost of a South Korea Digital Nomad Visa
The cost of a South Korean digital nomad visa is:
|
Country |
Visa fee in USD | |||
| Single entry <90 days | Single entry >90 days | Double | Multiple | |
| All countries, unless specified | 40 | 60 | 70 | 90 |
| Azerbaijan | 50 | 80 | 120 | 150 |
| Australia | 80 | 120 | 130 | 150 |
| Austria | 50 | 50 | 70 | 80 |
| Ghana | 50 | 80 | 90 | 100 |
| Iran | 50 | 80 | 90 | 120 |
| Kyrgyzstan | 50 | 70 | 80 | 100 |
| Russia | 50 | 80 | 90 | 120 |
| Senegal | 50 | 100 | 120 | 150 |
| Tajikistan | 50 | 70 | 70 | 80 |
| United Kingdom | 130 | 200 | 220 | 250 |
| United States | 45 | 45 | 45 | 45 |
| Uzbekistan | 50 | 70 | 80 | 100 |
| Vietnam | 20 | 50 | 60 | 80 |
Visa Fee Exemptions
You are exempted from the visa fee if you meet these conditions:
| Country | Conditions |
| Spain, Italy, Taiwan, Japan, Ukraine, Barbados, Thailand, Colombia, Liberia, Dominican Rep. | All visas, regardless of the period of stay |
| Sweden | 90 days or less visa |
| Israel, Peru | 91 days or longer visa |
| Paraguay, Benin, Romania, Brazil, Uruguay, Cyprus, Mexico, Algeria, Guatemala | 91 days or longer visa for a diplomatic or official passport holder |
| Mongolia | 31 days or longer visa for diplomatic or official passport holder
90 days or less visa for regular passport holder |
| Venezuela | 31 days or longer visa for a diplomatic or official passport holder |
Paying Taxes as a Digital Nomad in South Korea
As a digital nomad in South Korea, you are a temporary resident, so, you will pay income tax that is paid or remitted in the country. The income tax ranges from 6% to 35%.
Moreover, you also need to check your home country’s taxation policy with South Korea, because some countries have a double taxation avoidance agreement which means you are not required to pay taxes in South Korea.
Living Costs in South Korea
The living costs in South Korea for a family of four members is around $3,715 (per month) without rent, whereas for one person, the monthly costs are $1,027 without rent. Other prices you will come across as a digital nomad in South Korea are:
- Meal, inexpensive restaurant – $7.22
- Meal for 2 people – $36.12
- Milk 1l – $2.08
- Bread – $3.00
- One-way ticket – $1.05
- 1 bedroom apartment in city center – $514.21
- 1 bedroom apartment outside of city center – $358.08
- 3 bedroom apartment in city center – $1,445.84
- 3 bedroom apartment outside of city center – $882.95
Prices are taken from Numbeo
FAQs
Can I Extend My South Korea Digital Nomad Visa?
Yes, you can extend your South Korea digital nomad visa (F-1-D) for another year. For a visa extension, you need to go to the nearest immigration office in South Korea.
Can I Work in South Korea With a Digital Nomad Visa?
You can work in South Korea with a digital nomad visa if you work remotely and earn income outside the country. You are not allowed to work or engage in similar activities that earn income for South Korea.
Can I Receive a Resident Card With a South Korean Digital Nomad Visa?
Yes, you can receive a residence card, known as an Alien Registration Card (ARC), with a South Korean digital nomad visa. You have to apply for an ARC at the immigration office within 90 days of entering the country. With this card, you can open a bank account, buy a phone number, attend Korean language classes, and more.
When you leave the country, your ARC must be returned to the immigration office or immigration officer at the departure airport. If you do not return it, you will have to pay a fine.
Can I Bring Dependents to South Korea With a Digital Nomad Visa?
You can bring dependents to South Korea if you have a digital nomad visa; you simply need to submit proof of relationship with them.
Can I Combine the Salary With My Spouse’s to Apply?
No, you are not allowed to combine your salary with your spouse’s to apply for a digital nomad visa. You must meet the minimum income requirement alone, and then you can include your spouse in the visa application.
Can I Apply for a Digital Nomad Visa if I Am in South Korea?
Yes, you can apply for a digital nomad visa if you are already in South Korea with a visa exemption (B-1), tourist visa (B-2), or short-stay visa (C-3).
Will My Status Change If I Lose My Job After Entering South Korea on a Digital Nomad Visa?
If you lose your job after entering South Korea with a digital nomad visa, you are not required to report it under the laws and regulations. However, you cannot extend your stay and you must leave South Korea when your visa expires.
Can I Register for the National Health Insurance Scheme as a Digital Nomad?
If you live in South Korea for more than six months as a digital nomad, you must register with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHI). But, if you already have medical coverage equivalent to NHI, you can apply for exclusion from NHI.