South Korea will become the latest country to launch a visa for digital nomads, permitting foreigners to live and work from the country remotely.
Announcing the news, the Korean Ministry of Justice said that the government will start issuing the so-called “workcation” visa for digital nomads on January 1, 2024, VisaGuide.World reports.
South Korea’s new digital visa will permit foreigners to work from the country for a period of up to two years. Moreover, the visa will also permit its holders to bring their family members along to South Korea.
Commenting on the move, the Ministry of Justice said that the country has decided to launch a new digital nomad visa to make remote work and vacation of foreigners in South Korea smoother.
Until now, foreigners working remotely from South Korea had to apply for a tourist visa or not stay for more than 90 days in the country’s territory.
However, with the launch of the new visa, digital nomads will now be able to stay in South Korea for a longer period of time
So far, foreigners were required to apply for tourist visas or just stay for less than 90 days without a visa for ‘workcation’ in Korea. The new system will allow employees and employers in overseas firms to tour and work remotely in Korea for a longer period of time.
The digital nomad visa will permit foreigners to work remotely from South Korea for a foreign company for one year. Once the one-year period is over, the holders of the digital nomad visa can apply for a one-year extension.
We hope the workcation visa will allow high-earning foreigners to stay in Korea’s various regions and vitalize the local economy. We hope the visa will be an opportunity for us to showcase our country and our culture.
As Korea JoonAng Daily explains, in order to be able to apply for the new digital nomad visa, applicants must be over the age of 18 and must have worked in their current field for at least one year.
In addition, to be eligible for the visa, applicants must prove that they have an annual income of around $65,860.
Digital nomad visa applicants must also prove that they do not have any criminal record and verify their employment. They must submit proof of having purchased travel health insurance, too.
Regarding foreigners who are already in the country on a short-term foreign visa, the same source explained that they will be eligible to apply for the new digital nomad visa as long as they meet all the requirements.
However, the new visa will not allow digital nomads to apply for a job in South Korea. In order to take up a job in the country, foreigners must obtain a work visa.
South Korean embassies abroad will be responsible for accepting applications for digital nomad visa. The new visa scheme will be tested and then the authorities will decide whether the digital visa will be adopted permanently.