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Active Visa 2026

South Korea Digital Nomad Visa

Digital Nomad Visa (Workcation F-1-D)

How to Apply Compare
Seoul city skyline at night viewed from Namsan Mountain, South Korea
Photo: Matt Kieffer / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Unsplash
Min. Income
$5,170
per month
Stay
12 mo
Renewable to 24mo
Foreign Tax
Tax-Free
No foreign income tax
App. Fee
$225
14-30 days
Family
Allowed
Dependents eligible
Apply Online
In-Person
No citizenship path
Data verified: 2026-08-01  ·  Reviewed by SHOYA KIHARA  ·  See all All Visas

Overview

South Korea offers the Digital Nomad Visa (Workcation F-1-D) for remote workers and digital nomads. Applicants must demonstrate an annual income of about $62,000 USD (KRW 84.96 million, 2x GNI per capita), with a relaxed 1x tier for applicants aged 18–34 outside the capital region. Expect 12 months on approval, with a path to around 24 months in total. Foreign income is not taxed during your stay.
Apply Online
Family Allowed
Renewable
Citizenship Path
67
/ 100
Very Good

Nomad Score

Our unique composite rating
Visa Accessibility 12/25

Fees, processing, online application

Stay & Flexibility 12/20

Duration, renewability, family

Tax Benefit 10/15

No tax on foreign income

Living Quality 21/25

Safety, healthcare, development

Digital Infrastructure 12/15

Internet, English, tap water

Nomad Score is calculated from visa accessibility, stay flexibility, tax benefits, living quality (UNDP, UNODC, WHO data), and digital infrastructure. Updated 2026-08-01.

Application Process

📋

Prepare Documents

Gather 6 required documents including valid passport, proof of income (2x korea's gni per capita, ~88.1m krw/year)

📝

Submit Application

Submit at an embassy or consulate abroad

⏳

Processing

Wait 14-30 days for a decision

✅

Approval

Receive your visa approval (fee: $225)

✈️

Arrive & Register

Arrive in South Korea and complete any local registration

How to apply online: annotated screenshots

Numbered markers on official portal screenshots show exactly where to click and what to enter.

Step 1 Open the official F-1-D Workation guidance
Open the official F-1-D Workation guidance
  1. Confirm the F-1-D Workation (Digital Nomad) Visa heading on the Korean consulate site.
  2. Download and read the official attachments marked as required before applying.

Source: Republic of Korea Consulate — F-1-D Workation Visa · Captured: 2026-07

Min. Monthly Income
$5,170 ~84,960,000 KRW
Initial Stay
12 mo Renewable after first term
Application Fee
$225 Excludes insurance & legal fees

Visa Requirements

Financials

  • Income Proof

    Baseline is twice Korea's GNI per capita for the previous year — about KRW 84.96 million (~$62,000) a year. Applicants aged 18–34 who live outside Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi qualify at one times GNI per capita. Employment contract or proof of freelance income required.

  • Income Type

    yearly

Background & Health

  • Health Insurance
    Required
  • Background Check
    Required
  • Minimum Age 18+ years old

Advantages

  • • Foreign-sourced earnings stay outside the local tax net for the duration of the permit
  • • 12-month first term, with renewal available at the end
  • • Renewable, taking the stay to about 24 months in total
  • • Dependants can join — Eligible dependents include spouses and children under 18. Appropriate documentation required
  • • Lodged at a consulate abroad, so approval comes before you travel
  • • Can switch from tourist visa to F-1-D within South Korea

Disadvantages

  • • High income requirement (~$5,500/month / $66,000/year)
  • • Among the highest income thresholds of any digital nomad visa
  • • No direct pathway to permanent residency
  • • Background check required (adds processing time)
  • • Cannot apply fully online

Policy Change History

Tracking visa requirement changes over time to help you stay informed.

2026-06 policy change

Workation visa (F-1-D) moved from pilot to permanent

Formally launched on 30 June 2026 per the Ministry of Justice announcement of 7 July 2026, after a pilot running since 2024.

Source: Ministry of Justice, Republic of Korea

2026-06 requirement change

Relaxed 1x GNI income tier introduced for younger applicants outside the capital region

The baseline stays at twice GNI per capita (about KRW 84.96 million a year), but applicants aged 18–34 living outside Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi — or in population-decline areas — qualify at one times GNI per capita.

Source: Ministry of Justice, Republic of Korea

2026-04 fee change

Application fee increased from $80 to $225

Fee updated for the Workcation visa program.

Source: Korean Immigration Service

2026-04 requirement change

Income requirement adjusted from $5,833 to $5,500/month

Minor income threshold adjustment.

Source: Korean Immigration Service

2024-01 launch

South Korea Workation Visa (F-1-D) launched

Korea introduced the Workcation visa for digital nomads with a high income threshold.

Source: Ministry of Justice

Real Nomad Experiences

Summaries of first-hand accounts posted publicly by people who applied for this visa. Each one links to the original post — we summarise rather than republish what they wrote.

u/goforbroke510 r/digitalnomad 2025-02 Positive

A detailed walkthrough of obtaining the F-1-D workation visa through the San Francisco consulate, written up because the poster found little consolidated guidance while applying.

Detailed first-hand F-1-D visa acquisition walkthrough from San Francisco consulate

Read the original post →

These are individual accounts, summarised from public posts. They may not reflect current policy — always verify with the official source above.

Tax & Legal

Taxation Profile
Foreign Income Tax-Free

Foreign Income

South Korea generally does not tax foreign-sourced income for holders of this visa, making it highly attractive for remote workers.

Local Income

Income earned from local South Korea sources is taxable at standard rates.

Digital nomad visa holders working for foreign companies are generally not subject to Korean income tax on foreign-source income. Local employment is prohibited under this visa.

Living in South Korea

All ratings use a unified A–D scale. A = best for digital nomads in each category.

💰 Affordability
C

Moderate

Numbeo Cost of Living Index: 55/100 (NYC=100, lower=cheaper)

🛡️ Safety
A

Very Safe

UNODC Homicide Rate: 0.5/100k population

🏥 Healthcare
A

Excellent Coverage

WHO Universal Health Coverage Index: 86/100

📶 Internet
A

Excellent for Remote Work

Ookla Speedtest: 233 Mbps median download

🌐 Development
A

Very High Development

UNDP Human Development Index: 0.926

🌤️
-2° – 27°C

Continental with monsoon — cold winters, hot humid summers, cherry blossoms in spring

🚰
Tap Water Safe

WHO/UNICEF JMP

💬
Local Language

Basics recommended

🌡️
Köppen

Climate classification

A = Excellent B = Good C = Moderate D = Caution

Sources: UNDP HDR 2025 · UNODC Homicide Data · WHO UHC 2023 · Numbeo · Ookla · WHO/UNICEF JMP. Updated 2026-08.

Common Questions

How much does the Digital Nomad Visa (Workcation F-1-D) cost?
The government fee is about $225. Budget beyond that for health insurance, sworn translations, apostilles and, where required, a criminal-record check — these routinely add up to more than the fee itself.
Is the South Korea income requirement monthly or annual?
It is set as an annual figure. We show roughly $5170/month for comparison against other programmes, but the official test is applied to your yearly income, so a strong year with uneven months can still qualify.
How long can I actually stay in South Korea?
The first grant runs 12 months, and renewals can take the total to about 24 months. It does not build towards permanent residence, so treat the cap as the real limit.
Does the Digital Nomad Visa (Workcation F-1-D) cover a spouse and children?
Yes. Eligible dependents include spouses and children under 18. Appropriate documentation required. Budget for the higher income threshold that normally comes with each additional person.
Will I pay tax in South Korea on money earned abroad?
Foreign-sourced income is not taxed locally under this route. That does not settle your position at home — most countries tax on residence or citizenship, so check both sides before assuming a saving.
Do I have to apply in person for the Digital Nomad Visa (Workcation F-1-D)?
Yes — this route is not filed online. You can apply from abroad at an embassy or consulate rather than travelling to the country first. Appointment availability is often the binding constraint, so book before assembling documents.
What do I need to renew the Digital Nomad Visa (Workcation F-1-D)?
Extendable for an additional year. Must continue to meet income and employment requirements. File before the current permit expires rather than after — in most systems a lapsed permit means starting the process again from outside the country.
What trips up most Digital Nomad Visa (Workcation F-1-D) applications?
Insurance wording and the criminal-record certificate. The policy has to cover the whole permitted stay in South Korea on terms the authority accepts, and the police certificate usually needs an apostille and a certified translation — both take longer to obtain than people plan for.

Where to Live & Work

Seoul

Hyper-connected city with the world fastest internet, K-culture, amazing food, and efficient public transit.

Avg 200 Mbps

Popular Neighborhoods

Gangnam / Seocho

Business district, modern, upscale dining and shopping

1BR Rent $1000/mo

Best for: Professionals wanting a polished, modern area

Hongdae / Mapo

University area, indie music, nightlife, creative energy

1BR Rent $750/mo

Best for: Young creatives and nightlife lovers

Itaewon / Hannam

International, diverse food scene, expat-friendly

1BR Rent $900/mo

Best for: English speakers and those wanting international community

Coworking Spaces

WeWork Seoul

Multiple locations, English-friendly

$300/mo
FAST FIVE

Korean chain, modern spaces

$200/mo
Maru180

Startup-focused, good for networking

$150/mo

Local Tips

  • ● Seoul internet is the fastest in the world - you will never have connectivity issues
  • ● T-money card works on all public transit and many convenience stores
  • ● Jjimjilbangs (Korean spas) are great for relaxation and even sleeping overnight

Busan

Korea beach city with incredible seafood, film festival fame, mountains, and a more relaxed pace.

Avg 180 Mbps

Popular Neighborhoods

Haeundae

Famous beach, high-rises, restaurants, nightlife

1BR Rent $700/mo

Best for: Beach lovers and those wanting resort-style living

Seomyeon

Central shopping and dining district, good transit hub

1BR Rent $550/mo

Best for: Budget nomads wanting urban convenience

Coworking Spaces

FAST FIVE Busan

Korean coworking chain, modern facilities

$150/mo
B.Hive Coworking

Local space, friendly community

$120/mo

Local Tips

  • ● Busan is significantly cheaper and less hectic than Seoul
  • ● BIFF (Busan International Film Festival) in October is a highlight
  • ● KTX bullet train connects to Seoul in just 2.5 hours

General Tips for South Korea

  • ● South Korea Workcation visa (K-ETA) is being developed for digital nomads
  • ● Korean language basics help enormously - Hangul alphabet can be learned in a day
  • ● ARC (Alien Registration Card) is needed for stays over 90 days

Prices are approximate and based on publicly available data as of 2026-04. Actual costs vary by individual circumstances and market conditions.

Advanced Questions

What is the F-1-D Workcation visa?
South Korea's F-1-D is a dedicated digital nomad visa launched for remote workers. It requires a minimum annual income of $66,000 ($5,500/month) and is valid for 12 months.
Is foreign income taxed in South Korea for digital nomads?
No. F-1-D Workcation visa holders are exempt from Korean income tax on foreign-sourced earnings.
Can I apply for South Korea's digital nomad visa online?
No. Applications must be submitted at a Korean embassy or consulate. You will need to provide extensive documentation including proof of income and health insurance.
Can I bring my family to South Korea on this visa?
Yes. Spouse and dependent children can be included in your application with additional documentation.
What is Seoul like for digital nomads?
Seoul offers world-class internet (among the fastest globally), excellent public transportation, cutting-edge technology infrastructure, and a vibrant culture. Coworking spaces are plentiful, and the food scene is exceptional.

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