South Korea eases eligibility rules for digital nomad visa
South Korea has launched its digital nomad visa with less strict eligibility requirements.
Citing the Ministry of Justice Korea Immigration Service, The Korea Herald reported that the rules will be more relaxed compared to those enforced during the visa's pilot program. The digital nomad visa was officially launched on June 30.
With the F-1-D visa, unofficially the "workation" visa, foreign nationals employed by companies outside Korea can live in Korea while working remotely. In contrast, a regular Korean work visa requires employment in a Korean company.
The less stringent eligibility requirements for the digital nomad visa were applied after the visa's pilot program ran from January 2024 to May 2026, making the visa more attractive to foreign workers.
"The digital nomad visa is intended to expand opportunities for creative talent from around the world to experience South Korea," Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho is quoted as saying.
"We will establish a settlement model that encourages highly skilled individuals to experience the country's appeal, voluntarily put down roots here and become valuable assets to Korea," he added.
Who can apply?
Business owners with companies overseas can apply for the F-1-D visa. Foreigners employed by international companies may also apply if they can work remotely and have been in the same industry for at least one year. The visa covers the accompanying spouse and dependent children.
Applicants must be 18 years old or older.
In the pilot program, applicants had to have a salary equal to at least twice the previous year's gross national income per capita in Korea. The relaxed rules, however, allow applicants to have lower income thresholds, depending on their age and where they plan to stay in Korea.
The relaxed rules, however, allow applicants to have lower income thresholds, depending on their age and where they plan to stay in Korea, particularly if the address is outside the Greater Seoul area or in regions with declining populations. If that is the case, applicants 18 to 34 years old will not be required to earn double the previous year's GNI per capita; they just have to match it.
Digital nomads, with their families, can stay in Korea for up to three years.
