Digital Nomad visa

디지털 노마드(워케이션) 비자

A visa designed for employees of overseas companies who can work remotely.

Introduced as a pilot in January 2024, the visa became permanent on 30 June 2026. The permanent visa rules lowered the income threshold for applicants under 35 or those staying outside the capital region, and extended the maximum stay from two years to three.

Last updated: October 2026
Status code
F‑1‑D
Entry type
Multiple entry
Period of stay
1 year, up to 3 years
+1 year per extension
Who can join you
Spouse & minor children
Work inside Korea
Not permitted
Change of status in Korea
From B‑1, B‑2, C‑3
EligibilityEligibility DocumentsDocs Important notesNotes QuestionsFAQ Useful linksLinks
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Eligibility

The visa is available to applicants who meet all of the following requirements.

Age 18 or over
Employed by a company outside Korea and able to work remotely
At least one year in the same industry
Private medical insurance — at least ₩100M of cover valid for the whole stay.
Income requirement — the threshold depends on your age and region of stay; see below.

Income by age and region

Income thresholds are set as a multiple of Korea’s per-capita GNI for the year before application. For 2025, the GNI reference figure is ₩52,410,000.

Capital area means Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi-do, excluding population-decline areas.
Capital area
Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi-do — excluding population-decline areas
 Elsewhere
Other regions, plus Gyeonggi-do's population-decline areas
Age 18–34 1.5 × GNI
₩78,620,000
 1 × GNI
₩52,410,000
Age 35 and over 2 × GNI
₩104,830,000
 1.5 × GNI
₩78,620,000
Bringing family
Spouse or minor children
 2 × GNI
₩104,830,000
 1.5 × GNI
₩78,620,000
Age 18–34
Capital area
1.5 × GNI
₩78,620,000
Elsewhere
1 × GNI
₩52,410,000
Age 35 and over
Capital area
2 × GNI
₩104,830,000
Elsewhere
1.5 × GNI
₩78,620,000
Bringing family
Spouse or minor children
Capital area
2 × GNI
₩104,830,000
Elsewhere
1.5 × GNI
₩78,620,000
The multiplier is set by the visa rules; the GNI figure is updated annually by the Bank of Korea.
The family multiplier applies regardless of your age.
Eligibility calculator →

Documents

An embassy or consulate may ask for additional documents or waive some requirements. Rules on document age, translation and legalization may also vary. Double-check with the office you apply through.

General
·Application form (Form 17)
·Passport
·One standard-format photograph
·Application fee
For this visa
·Proof of overseas employment or overseas business ownership
·Proof of at least one year of relevant work experience
·Income proof — payslips, bank statements or similar
·Certificate of medical insurance
·Criminal record certificate
Only if it applies to you
·Family relationship documents, if accompanied by family
·Proof of regional stay, when applying for a lower regional multiplier

Important notes

A few points require checking with relevant institutions.

Regional stay Ask the embassy
What proof of stay is enough?
The visa rules list either a lease agreement or an accommodation reservation confirmation for at least one month.
Insurance Ask NHIS
Both private and NHI are required?
Six months of residence generally means joining National Health Insurance ↗, while full-stay private insurance is required for application.
Tax Ask a tax adviser
Will I owe Korean tax?
More than 183 days in Korea makes you a Korean tax resident. Foreign residents who have stayed in Korea less than 5 years over the past 10 years are subject to a special rule ↗ for foreign-source income. Ask a tax adviser or the National Tax Service ↗.

Questions

How do I calculate and convert my income?
Use gross income (before tax) and convert it to KRW using the exchange rate on the day of application. This method was officially confirmed by the Ministry of Justice in October 2026 (inquiry 1AA-2608-1171435). You can double-check with the embassy handling your application.
Can I reside in the Capital Area and still apply for the lower income threshold?
Yes, in two cases: if you are aged 18–34 (1.5 × GNI) or reside in a population-decline area of Gyeonggi-do (1–1.5 × GNI). The Ministry of Justice clarified this in October 2026 in response to inquiry 1AA-2608-1171435.
Am I eligible as a freelancer?
The published rule covers overseas business owners and people employed by overseas companies. It doesn’t address freelancers specifically. A freelancer with a registered overseas business might be eligible, check with the embassy handling your application.
Can I work for a Korean company?
No. Employment and any profit-making activities in Korea are restricted on this visa. Employment by a Korean company requires a different status. Once in Korea, for questions about profit-making activities, consult 1345 on your individual case.
Can my family come with me?
Yes. A spouse and minor children can accompany you. This raises the required GNI multiplier to 2 × in the capital area and 1.5 × elsewhere, regardless of your age.
What insurance should I get?
It should be private medical insurance covering at least ₩100M for hospital treatment and repatriation to the home country during your full stay.
How do I prepare a criminal record certificate?
Generally, it should be legalized (apostilled or consular legalization), accompanied by a notarized translation, and issued within the previous 6 months. Rules may vary depending on your application embassy and the countries where you have lived.
Can I switch from another visa while in Korea?
Yes. If you meet the requirements, the published rules explicitly allow a change of status from B‑1, B‑2 or C‑3, and may allow changes from other statuses as well. Check your case with the Immigration Contact Center (1345) and use form 34 to apply.
Which nationalities can apply?
There is no separate country list for the F‑1‑D, unlike the Working Holiday (H‑1) visa, which is based on agreements with participating countries.
Do I need this visa to visit Korea?
No. Depending on your nationality, you may be able to visit with K‑ETA or a short-term visa. The F‑1‑D visa allows eligible remote workers to stay longer, for up to three years. If you plan to work remotely while on a short-stay status, consult the Immigration Contact Center (1345).
Should I get a residence card?
Yes. Anyone staying in Korea for more than 91 days must register as a resident and receive a residence card within 90 days of arrival. It is commonly called an ARC and is useful for opening a bank account, getting a phone contract and signing a long-term lease.
Does this time count toward permanent residence?
The published F‑1‑D visa rules do not address this. Ask the Immigration Contact Center (1345) or the embassy handling your case.