South Korea (Asia)

Also referred to as the Workcation visa, this visa will allow remote employees to live in South Korea for up to two years working remotely in some of the best digital nomad cities in Asia.

The South Korea digital nomad visa launched on January 1, 2024. Applicants may also include their spouse and dependents after receiving visa approval.

South Korea Digital Nomad Visa Requirements

• Valid Passport – You will need a valid passport at the time of applying; many digital nomad visas require the passport to be valid for at least six months

• Work Remotely – You will need to work remotely and earn your income from an entity established outside of South Korea

• Earn $5,470 USD Gross per Month – You must meet the minimum income requirement of at least $65,630 USD per year (gross) or 84.96 million South Korean won

• One Year of Industry Experience – You must have at least one year of professional work experience in your current role or industry

• International Health Insurance – You must have health insurance coverage of at least $77,250 USD or 100 million won in South Korea

• Clean Criminal Record – You will probably be expected to submit a clean criminal background check from your country of residence

• Processing Time – 2 weeks to 2 months

• Visa Duration – 12 months (can renew for another 12 months)

• Tax – Yes

• Permanent Residency - No

How to Apply for the South Korea Digital Nomad Visa

Digital nomad visa applicants may submit their applications at a local South Korean embassy or consulate in their country of residence or convert their current temporary visas while already in the country. This includes tourist visas.

Step 1: Gather Documents

• Copy of Passport

• Passport-Sized Photo no more than six months old

• Proof of Remote Work

• Proof of Income (payslips and bank statements)

• Certified Criminal Background Check

• International Health Insurance Policy

• Proof of Relationship to Dependents (if applicable)

• Address of accommodations in South Korea

• These documents may be submitted in English or translated into Korean.

Step 2: Schedule and Attend Visa Appointment

Once you have gathered all of your documents, request a visa appointment at your local South Korean consulate. Depending on the schedule and availability, you may have to wait a couple of weeks to a couple of months.

You will need to also bring a completed visa application form to your appointment, along with the required documents.

Step 3: Wait for Approval

It will take between 10 and 15 days to receive approval for your South Korea digital nomad visa application. Of course, this could be longer, depending on the consulate’s workload.

Step 4: Apply for Residence Card

Your South Korea digital nomad visa will become active when you first enter the country. After landing in South Korea, you will have 90 days to obtain your Alien Registration Card (ARC) at your local immigration office.