S. Korea officially launches the Digital Nomad Visa: Max stay extended to 3 years + Lower income rules.
Hey everyone!
The pilot phase is officially over. South Korea has permanently launched the F-1-D Digital Nomad (Workcation) Visa with some massive updates!
🛂 Core Requirements
- Age: 18 or older.
- Industry Experience: Must have at least 1 year of experience in your current remote field.
- Employment Type: Must be employed by an overseas company or run a foreign-registered business/freelance clients. You cannot work for Korean employers.
- Insurance: Must hold private medical insurance covering at least 100 million KRW (~$75,000 USD) for treatment in Korea and repatriation.
💰 The New Income Rules (Based on Per Capita GNI)
During the pilot, everyone had to make a flat 104+ million KRW (~$74k USD). Now, the income threshold is tiered based on your age and where you choose to live:
| Your Age | Intended Living Area | Required Income Threshold | Estimated USD Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35+ | Seoul, Incheon, or Gyeonggi | 2× GNI (approx. 104.8 million KRW) | ~$74,000 / year |
| 18–34 | Outside Greater Seoul (e.g., Busan, Jeju) | 1× GNI (approx. 52.4 million KRW) | ~$37,000 / year |
| All Others | Any other combo / mix | 1.5× GNI (approx. 78.6 million KRW) | ~$55,500 / year |
⏳ Visa Conditions & Family
- Length of Stay: Renewable annually up to a maximum of 3 years (extended from the 2-year pilot limit).
- Family: You can bring your spouse and dependent children. Only the primary applicant's income counts toward the requirement.
🛠️ What to Gather to Apply
If you're applying at a local embassy or changing status within Korea from a tourist visa, you'll need:
- Completed visa application forms + valid passport.
- Official Employment Verification Letter.
- Bank statements and tax documents from the past year (officially proving the thresholds above).
- An apostilled background / criminal record check.
- Your health insurance certificate.
What do you guys think of these updates? Anyone planning to use the non-Seoul loophole to base out of Busan or Jeju for a bit? Let's discuss below!
Posted Jul 13, 2026, 8:58 PM UTC
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