South Korea Digital Nomad Visa (Workcation Visa)
South Korea KOR
South Korea's Digital Nomad Visa, officially known as the Workcation Visa (C-4 or F-type category), launched in 2024 and allows remote workers employed by foreign companies to live and work in Korea for up to one year, with an option to extend for a second year. Applicants must earn at least $85,000 USD annually from non-Korean sources and must not provide services to Korean employers. The visa reflects Korea's broader K-Culture and tech-driven appeal to global remote workers.
Program Details
- Category
- Digital Nomad
- Processing Time
- 1 months
- Application Fee
- $60
- Minimum Income
- $7,080/mo
- Minimum Investment
- —
- Family Included
- Spouse and dependent children may accompany the primary holder on dependent visas for the same period.
- Path to PR
- No
- Path to Citizenship
- No
- Physical Presence
- Valid for 1 year, extendable to 2 years total. Holder must be physically present in South Korea for the duration of the visa.
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
- Tax Impact
- Stays exceeding 183 days may trigger South Korean tax residency. Holders should review the tax treaty between South Korea and their home country to avoid double taxation.
- Renewal Cost
- $60
Minimum annual income of $85,000 USD (or equivalent) from non-Korean sources, verified by the previous year's tax return or employer confirmation letter.
Key Requirements
- ✓Annual income of at least $85,000 USD from non-Korean employment or clients
- ✓Evidence of remote employment: employment contract or client agreements with foreign entities
- ✓Must not perform paid work for South Korean companies or individuals
- ✓Valid health insurance for the duration of the stay
- ✓Previous year's income tax return as proof of income
- ✓Clean criminal background check from home country
Am I eligible for South Korea Digital Nomad Visa (Workcation Visa)?
Quick self-check based on the published criteria. Not legal advice. No data leaves your browser.
Minimum monthly income
Programme requires $7,080/month.
Fill in the fields above to see a verdict.
This is a heuristic, not a determination. Final eligibility depends on full documentation and immigration-officer discretion.
Application Process — Step by Step
- 01
Confirm eligibility: foreign employer and KRW 85M+ annual income
home countryThe F-1-D Digital Nomad Visa (launched January 2024) requires: (1) employment with a foreign (non-Korean) company or self-employment income from foreign sources; (2) annual income of KRW 85 million or more (approximately USD 65,000 at 2024 rates); (3) no criminal record; (4) valid health insurance. South Korean nationals or those already holding Korean work visas are not eligible. Employer must be a foreign entity — Korean companies do not qualify.
Typical duration: 1-2 weekssource ↗
- 02
Prepare application documents
home countryGather: current passport, completed F-1-D visa application form (from Hi Korea or Korean consulate), employment contract or self-employment proof from foreign employer/client, 3 months pay stubs or income tax return showing KRW 85M+ annual income, bank statements confirming income deposits, criminal background check (apostilled from home country), and proof of health insurance valid in Korea.
Typical duration: 2-4 weekssource ↗
- 03
Apply at Korean embassy/consulate in home country
home countrySubmit application package in person at the Korean embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Pay the visa fee (approx. USD 45-90 depending on nationality/entry type). Processing typically takes 5-10 working days. Some nationalities may apply through the Hi Korea online portal.
Typical duration: 1-3 weekssource ↗
- 04
Enter Korea and register at local Immigration Office
destinationOn entry, proceed to your local Immigration Office (Chulipguk Gwanriseo) within 90 days to register for your Alien Registration Card (ARC). The ARC is required for banking, SIM card, and NHI enrollment. F-1-D is issued for 1 year (matching visa validity).
Typical duration: 2-4 weekssource ↗
- 05
Renew for a second year if income criteria still met
destinationF-1-D can be renewed once for an additional 1 year (total 2 years). Renewal requires resubmitting proof of ongoing foreign employment and income meeting the KRW 85M threshold. After the 2-year maximum, applicants must leave Korea or transition to a different visa category.
Typical duration: 2-4 weekssource ↗
Documents Required
| Document | Issued By | Apostille | Translate to | Validity (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valid passport (6+ months validity) | Home country | No | — | 180 |
| F-1-D visa application form | Hi Korea / Korean consulate | No | — | — |
| Employment contract from foreign employer (or client contracts for self-employed) | Foreign employer / clients | No | en | 90 |
| Proof of income: 3 months pay stubs or prior-year income tax return | Employer / tax authority | No | en | 90 |
| Bank statements (3 months) confirming income receipt | Bank | No | en | 60 |
| Criminal background check | Home country police / FBI / national authority | Yes | ko | 90 |
| Health insurance certificate (valid in Korea) | Insurer | No | — | 365 |
| Passport-size photo (white background) | Self | No | — | — |
Realistic Costs
Some figures below are industry estimates rather than officially verified: lawyer_fee_low, lawyer_fee_high, health_insurance_first_year, total_first_year_low, total_first_year_high.
Total 5-year figure covers only 2 years (maximum visa duration). Health insurance via NHIS upon ARC registration: approx. KRW 130,000-180,000/month based on income. Translation/apostille costs vary by home country. No mandatory investment required.
Realistic Timeline
- Consulate wait1–3 weeks
- Decision → arrival1 weeks
- Residence card issuance4 weeks
- Total to residence card6–12 weeks
F-1-D launched January 2024. As a new visa category, processing times are stabilising. Most consulates report 5-10 working days. ARC registration in Korea adds 2-4 weeks.
Renewal
- First renewal after
- 12 months
- Subsequent cycle
- 0 months
- Renewal fee
- $90
- Requirements
- One renewal allowed for up to 1 additional year (total maximum 2 years on F-1-D). Renewal requires proof of continued foreign employment and KRW 85M+ income. After 2 years, applicants must depart or transition to a different visa category such as D-8 or E-series work visa.
Path to Permanent Residency — Details
- Years required
- 999
- Integration test
- Not required
Path to Citizenship — Details
- Years required
- 999
- Language test
- No
- Civic test
- Not required
- Oath
- Not required
- Dual citizenship
- Not allowed
Tax Residency
- Trigger
- 183 days/year of presence
- Taxation scope
- Worldwide income
- Exit-tax country
- No
Special regimes
- Foreign Expat Flat Tax Rate (19%)19% flat rate on Korean-source income
Foreign nationals employed in Korea may elect a flat 19% income tax rate on Korean-source income instead of progressive rates (6-45%) for the first 20 years. For F-1-D digital nomads working for foreign employers, Korean-source income may be minimal if payment is made by the foreign employer directly. Must elect the flat rate before filing first Korean return.
Duration: 20 years
source ↗
Health Insurance
- Mandatory
- Yes
- Public system access
- After 0 months
Examples: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), AXA, Cigna
Family Specifics
- Spouse work rights
- Spouse admitted on F-3 (Dependent Family) visa. F-3 does not grant automatic work rights. Spouse must apply for a separate work-authorised visa (e.g., E-7, D-series) to work legally in Korea.
- Child school enrolment
- Children on F-3 visas may attend Korean public schools at no tuition cost. International schools (Seoul Foreign School, Korea International School) available in Seoul at USD 15,000-35,000/yr.
- Parent inclusion
- Not eligible
- Sibling inclusion
- Not eligible
Gotchas — Things to Watch For
- ⚠The F-1-D has a strict 2-year maximum — it is not a long-term residency solution; plan your exit strategy before applying
- ⚠Your employer must be a foreign (non-Korean) entity; working for a Korean startup or company requires a separate work visa (E-series)
- ⚠F-1-D time does NOT count toward permanent residency or citizenship pathways — factor this into long-term planning
- ⚠Korea's NHI enrollment is mandatory and adds approx. USD 100-150/month to living costs
- ⚠Income must genuinely reach KRW 85M (~USD 65,000) annually — exchange-rate fluctuations could push you below the threshold
- ⚠Family members admitted on F-3 dependent visas cannot work legally without a separate work permit
What This Visa Does NOT Allow
- ×Working for a Korean employer or Korean-registered company
- ×Renewing beyond 2 years total on F-1-D status
- ×Direct pathway to permanent residency — time on F-1-D does not accrue toward F-5
- ×Family members on F-3 dependent visas do not receive work authorisation automatically
Common Rejection Reasons
- •Annual income below KRW 85M threshold (approx. USD 65,000)
- •Employer is a Korean-registered entity — foreign employer required
- •Criminal background check missing, not apostilled, or more than 90 days old
- •Health insurance does not meet Korean coverage standards or is not valid in Korea
- •Income not clearly documented or comes from mixed Korean/foreign sources
- •Applicant previously overstayed a Korean visa
Recent Legislative Changes
2024-01-01
South Korea officially launched the F-1-D Digital Nomad Visa (also referred to as Workation Visa). Eligible applicants: foreign nationals employed by non-Korean companies with annual income of KRW 85M (~USD 65,000) or more. Visa valid for 1 year with one renewal, maximum 2 years total. Family (spouse and minor children) eligible on F-3 dependent visa.source ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income threshold for the Korea F-1-D Digital Nomad Visa?+
Applicants must earn at least KRW 85 million per year (approximately USD 65,000 at 2024 exchange rates) from a foreign (non-Korean) employer. This must be demonstrated via pay stubs, employment contracts, and bank statements.
Can I work for a Korean company on the F-1-D visa?+
No. The F-1-D requires that your employer be a foreign (non-Korean) entity. Working for a Korean company requires a standard Korean work visa such as E-7 (Specific Activities). Freelancers must ensure their clients are all foreign-registered entities.
Can my family join me on the F-1-D visa?+
Yes. Spouses and dependent children are eligible for F-3 (Dependent Family) visas. However, F-3 holders do not automatically receive work authorisation — spouses who wish to work must apply for a separate work-eligible visa.
Does the F-1-D count toward permanent residency?+
No. Time spent on the F-1-D does not count toward F-5 (Permanent Resident) eligibility. To pursue permanent residency, you must transition to a qualifying visa category such as D-8 (investor) or E-7 (skilled worker) and accrue the required years on that status.
Good Fit For
Applying from a specific country? Your home-country tax rules, banking access, and dual-citizenship options affect every programme differently. Browse nationality guides → for tax obligations, renunciation rules, and second-passport routes.