South Korea Digital Nomad Visa: How to Apply [4 Steps]

As the South Korean government decides to ride the wave of increased tourism in the country, they have introduced the idea of launching a South Korea digital nomad visa. 

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.

This news comes as the government bids to attract 20 million foreign visitors next year and increase tourism revenue to an astonishing $24.5 billion. 

The government will also expand electronic visa services to more nationalities, allowing easier visitation to South Korea. 

The announcement of a potential South Korea digital nomad visa comes at an exciting time for remote workers. As more people become interested in South Korea and would like to experience the unique lifestyle, the country introduces a long-term solution to fully grasp life in the country. 

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

Those already in South Korea with a temporary or tourist visa may convert it to the South Korea digital nomad visa while already in the country.

South Korea joins other Asian countries, such as Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, in welcoming digital nomads to temporarily reside in the country.

What is a Digital Nomad Visa?

For those who are unfamiliar with the concept of digital nomad visas, they allow remote workers to temporarily reside in a foreign country. 

To be eligible for a digital nomad visa, you must work as a remote employee, freelancer, or business owner, for a company or clients located abroad. You must also prove that you meet minimum income requirements set by the government. 

Many digital nomad visas allow applicants to bring family members with them. Children can be enrolled in local schools and your family can have an experience of a lifetime. 

Additionally, some digital nomad visas lead to permanent residency, allowing digital nomads to create a homebase abroad for themselves. 

It’s important to note that digital nomad visas do not allow you to seek local employment in the country or engage in local business activity.

South Korea Digital Nomad Visa Requirements

Every digital nomad visa has a list of eligibility requirements applicants must meet in order to apply. 

• 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

If you meet these requirements, you can apply for the South Korea digital nomad visa.  

How to Apply for the South Korea Digital Nomad Visa

While the South Korea digital nomad visa is officially available and accepting applications, embassies and consulates are still organizing their internal processes.

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

The first step in applying for the South Korea digital nomad visa is to collect the necessary documents.

The documents required for the South Korea digital nomad visa application include:

• 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.

South Korea for Digital Nomads

South Korea is one of the most interesting and unique countries that digital nomads can explore. For those coming from Western cultures, the lifestyle and routines of South Korean culture may be a shock – in the best way possible! 

From trying new and tasty foods to engaging in local cultural activities to adopting some of the trendy fashion to taking advantage of arguably the best skincare techniques and products in the world, South Korea is an entertaining playground for digital nomads.   

With a whopping average Wifi speed of 174 Mbps, South Korea is a stable and reliable destination for digital nomads to be productive while working remotely. There are plenty of coworking spaces and digital nomad cafes in major cities, such as the country’s capital, Seoul. 

The most popular spots for digital nomads in South Korea include Seoul, Busan (the country’s second-largest city), and Jeju Island. Plus, with convenient public transportation in Seoul, you can explore every inch of the city and venture to other towns throughout South Korea. 

Apply for Digital Nomad Visas Worldwide with Nomads Embassy

Are you ready to explore the world and fully experience what it is like to live in another country? 

Nomads Embassy: The World’s First Embassy for Digital Nomads makes relocating abroad with a digital nomad visa even easier! 

We have partnered with hand-selected local immigration lawyers to assist our members with their digital nomad visa applications for a smooth and seamless experience. 

Our Done-for-You Digital Nomad Visa Services take the questioning and confusion out of applying for a visa. Plus, with our innovative platform, you can securely upload your documents for your dedicated lawyer to review for your application. 

Want to see which digital nomad visas you’re eligible for? 

Request our free digital nomad visa eligibility check today!

Frequently Asked Questions

While articles like this are helpful when planning to apply for the South Korea digital nomad visa, you may still have questions about it.

Below are some of the most commonly asked questions we receive about the South Korea digital nomad visa.

What is the processing time for the South Korea digital nomad visa?

It typically takes between 10 and 15 days to process your South Korea digital nomad visa application.

Will I owe taxes in South Korea as a digital nomad visa holder?

Yes, digital nomad visa holders will owe a partial tax on their foreign-earned income while living in South Korea.

How long is the South Korea digital nomad visa valid?

The South Korea digital nomad visa is valid for one year from your first entry. It is renewable for an additional year.

Can I include family members on my South Korea digital nomad visa application?

Yes, you may include a spouse and dependent children.

Can I combine my income with my spouse to meet the minimum income requirement?

No, the main applicant must meet the minimum income requirement on their own. A spouse’s income will not be considered.

Can I apply for the digital nomad visa while already in South Korea?

Yes, if you are in South Korea on a temporary visa or tourist visa, you may apply for the digital nomad visa while already in the country.

Does the South Korea digital nomad visa lead to permanent residency?

No, the South Korea digital nomad visa does not lead to permanent residency. You may live in South Korea for a total of two years with the digital nomad visa.