Is there a South Korea digital nomad visa?
Yes! There is a south Korea digital nomad Visa, announced by the South Korean government, starting January 1st 2024!
Tihs new new visa are to be introduced in 2024 allows you to work remotely in Korea for up to two years, with the option to bring your family with you. This nomad visa in korea, is the most open visa.
For those interested in being a digital nomad in korea, Lets look at the new visa and the alternative options currently available below.
2024 Digital Nomad Visa in South Korea: Eligibility and Application Process
Meeting the requirements for the South Korea digital nomad visa involves being 18 years or older with at least one year of professional experience in the current field. Moreover, applicants need an annual income double the country’s gross national income (GNI) per capita for the previous year, which, as of 2022, stands at 42.48 million won ($33,000). This equates to a minimum annual income of 84.96 million won (~$66,000).
The digital nomad visa offers numerous advantages, permitting foreign nationals to work remotely for an overseas company while residing in South Korea for a duration of up to 2 years. Families are encouraged to join, allowing visa holders to bring their spouse and children.
Applying for the digital nomad visa involves arriving in Korea on a tourist visa and subsequently applying for the visa at the local immigration office. If you’re seeking information on “South Korea digital nomad visa,” this guide provides insights into eligibility criteria and the application process.
Is the required income pre or post tax?
Indications suggest that the income requirement is pre-tax; we are currently in communication with embassies to verify this information.
Will I have to pay taxes in Korea, with this visa?
Tax obligations in Korea remain uncertain; however, there is no specified tax requirement for the visa, implying that income during the stay in Korea may not be subject to taxation. Full taxation is likely to occur in one’s home country.
What is the minimum income required to be eligible for the nomad visa?
The minimum income required for eligibility is ₩7.08 million per month, or $66,00 USD.
How long does it take for the visa to be processed?
The visa is expected to be fulfilled approximately 10-15 days after the application is submitted.
Which countries are eligible?
The most recent announcement did not provide specific details on eligible countries; we will reach out to embassies for clarification and update accordingly.
Can I apply for the visa if I am currently in Korea?
Yes, you can apply for the visa if you are on a visa exemption (B-1), tourist visa (B-2), or short-stay visa (C-3).
Do I need a digital nomad visa to come to Korea?
Not necessarily. Most Digital Nomads can enter South Korea on a tourist visa, though registering for the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) before arrival may be required. Other visa options, such as the Working Holiday Visa, OASIS startup visa, or Student visa, may apply to some Digital Nomads’ situations, but not to most.
Tour Suggestions: Coming Soon
The “K-culture training visa”
Targeting young teens and adults who want to learn more about Korean culture. Visa holders will be allowed to stay for up to two years, and be required to receive training or educatoin in sectors related to K-pop.
“Workcation Visa" or the South Korea Digital Nomad Visa
Known to some as the korea workation visa, This will be South Korea’s version of the “digital nomad visa.”, or “korea remote work visa”. This visa will acts as a temporary residence permit that allows foreigners to stay in Korea while working remotely for an employer in their home country. This digital nomad visa can be extended for up to two years.
When can I apply to South Korea's digital nomad visa?
Currently there have been no exact dates announced by the south korean government, but it is expected to be available in the second half of 2023
Where To Stay?
Booking.com – There are many options for accomodation in the South Korea, Check Hostelworld for the best options. If you want to meet other nomads or travelers, hostels are the way to go.
Visa Length
The length is rumored to be for 2 years, with extensions being allowed.
Income requirements
There are no income requirements yet for this south korea nomad visa, but some other asian countries require a minimum of $45,000 – $50,000 USD
Other Requirements
Please note that through this digital nomad korea visa, the government may require visa holders to register for the, K-ETA, which will allow digital nomads to upload travel records, criminal background checks, insurance requirements, and medical information.
Current Visa Information
Many visitors are allowed visa on arrival, with a restriction on the length of stay. Please see the list below.
SOUTH KOREA VISA EXEMPTION FOR UP TO 180 DAYS
Citizens of Canada can enter South Korea without a visa for a stay of up to 180 days.
South Korea visa exemption for up to 90 days
Citizens of the following countries can enter South Korea without a visa for up to 90 days:
- European Union countries (except Cyprus)
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Hong Kong
- Iceland
- Israel
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Kuwait
- Liechtenstein
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Morocco
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Norway
- Panama
- Peru
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Suriname
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turkey
- United Arab Emirates
- United States
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
SOUTH KOREA VISA EXEMPTION FOR UP TO 60 DAYS
Citizens of Lesotho and Russia can enter South Korea without a visa for up to 60 days.
SOUTH KOREA VISA EXEMPTION FOR UP TO 30 DAYS
Citizens of the following countries can visit South Korea without a visa for up to 30 days:
- Albania
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Bahrain
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brunei
- Cyprus
- Eswatini
- Fiji
- Guam
- Guyana
- Honduras
- Kazakhstan
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Micronesia
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Nauru
- New Caledonia
- Oman
- Palau
- Paraguay
- Qatar
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Seychelles
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- Tonga
- Tunisia
- Tuvalu
- Vatican City
Types of South Korea visas
South Korean visas are divided based on the duration and how many entries in the country they allow:
- Single-entry visas, valid for a single entry and up to 90 days.
- Multiple-entries, allowing multiple entries in South Korea for the length of visa issued.
You can apply for one of the following visas:
- South Korea Tourist Visa
- South Korea Work Visa
- South Korea Business Visa
- South Korea Family Visit Visa (for more than 90 days)
- South Korea Student Visa
- South Korea Working Holiday Visa
SOUTH KOREA TOURIST VISA
South Korea tourist visas issued to foreigners who want to travel simply for tourism or recreational purposes listed below
- Tourism
- Transit
- To receive medical treatment in a South Korean hospital
- To visit a family member/friend
- To attend a religious/cultural/sporting/musival event
- Another short-term reason
SOUTH KOREA BUSINESS VISA
A visitor is eligible for a long-term Business Visa for South Korea if:
- You are a specialist who will work for a public or private organization in Korea to repair, install, or operate imported machinery
- You will work as a manager or specialist in a company in South Korea
- You are an Transferee within a South Korean Company
- You are a specialist in a foreign investment company in South Korea
SOUTH KOREA WORK VISA
If a foreigner wants to work in South Korea, they have to apply for a South Korea Work Visa. Foreigners eligible for a South Korea Work Visa include professors, foreign language teachers, researchers, and those working in another activity permitted by the Minister of Justice through a contract with a public or private organization or company in South Korea. This will be arranged by the help of your employer.
SOUTH KOREA STUDENT VISA
Foreigners who wish pursue their studies in a Korean institution have to apply for a South Korea Student Visa. They can be:
- Short-term Student Visas to attend a course of study that’s shorter than 90 days.
- Long-term Student Visas, to attend a course of study longer than 90 days, such as in a university or language school, which is most common.
SOUTH KOREA WORKING HOLIDAY VISA
The South Korea Working Holiday Visa is open to citizens of countries that have a Working Holiday Agreement with South Korea (as listed below). The WHV allows the holder to remain in South Korea for up to one year, for the purpose of holidaying, working, or studying.
To receive the South Korea Working Holiday Visa, you must:
- Be one of the eligible countries in the list below
- Be between 18 and 30 years of age
- Have sufficient funds to cover at least the beginning of your trip (Minimum KRW 3,000,000)
- You must not have received a South Korea Working Holiday Visa in the past
- Have a clean criminal record
- You must be travelling primarily for holidays (working or studying should be secondary purposes, otherwise you have to apply for a Student or Work Visa)
Citizens from the following countries are eligible for a South Korea Working Holiday Visa:
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Canada
- Chile
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- France
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Poland
- Portugal
- Spain
- Sweden
- Taiwan
- U.K.
- US
SOUTH KOREA FAMILY VISIT VISA (FOR MORE THAN 90 DAYS)
You have to apply for a South Korea visa for Family Visit purposes if you fall under one of the following categories:
- You will stay with a relative in South Korea for longer than 90 days
- You are the spouse of a South Korean national
- You are the dependent (spouse or child under the age of 20) of a South Korean temporary or permanent resident
You can also receive this type of visa if you are part of the South Korean diaspora or you once held South Korean nationality (Overseas Koreans).
South Korea visa requirements
When you apply for a South Korea visa, you have to submit several documents to support your application. The South Korea visa requirements change depending on the type of visa you need as well as the country in which you are applying. However, the standard set of documents everyone has to submit includes:
- South Korea Visa Application Form
- Your passport, which must be:
- Valid for at least another six months
- Have at least two blank pages
- Passport-size picture(s). The South Korea visa photo size has to be 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm and have the following specifications:
- White background
- Taken recently (in the last three months)
- You must have a neutral facial expression, staring straight ahead
- Your face and ears have to be fully visible
- You must not be wearing glasses
- A return or onward flight ticket: Printed out
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover the duration of your stay bank statements and income tax returns)
- Proof of accommodation in South Korea, such as reservation from hotel or related accomodation
- Payment of the South Korea visa fee to consulate
- For South Korea Student Visa:
- Reference Letter(s)
- Letter of Acceptance into the school/university
- For South Korea Business Visa:
- Letter from your employer
- Letter of Invitation from the South Korean company
- For South Korea Work Visa: Employment contract
- You may have to submit extra documentation:
- Cover Letter, introducing yourself and stating the reason for which you are traveling
- Trip Itinerary, which details the activities you’ll be doing in South Korea on a daily basis
- Any other additional documents that the Embassy or Consulate request, depending on the purpose of your trip
SOUTH KOREA VISA APPLICATION FORM
Depending on the method through which you are applying, you can get hold of a South Korea Visa Application form in the following ways:
- Online, by downloading it from the website of the Embassy or Consulate through which you are applying
- At the Embassy or Consulate itself, when you go to make an appointment or submit the documents, within South Korea or in your home country
- A private visa application company
Fill out Visa documentation with black or dark blue pen.
South Korea Digital Nomad Visa FAQ'S
At this time, there are 100 nations permitted to enter South Korea without visas for up to 90 days per visit,
Yes. The South Korea digital nomad visa requires applicants to be 18 years or older with at least one year of work experience, along with an annual income of $66,000. The visa allows remote work for up to 2 years, and families are welcome; the application process involves arriving on a tourist visa and applying at the local immigration office.
Yes, the 2024 digital nomad visa allows the main visa holder to bring their family.
PREPARE FOR YOUR TRIP
This opportunity is very exciting for digital nomads around the world. Be sure to prepare to be one of the first digital nomads in South Korea, by checking out South Korea digtal nomad guide.
Start Planning Your south korea Trip Now!
Book Your Flight:
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flights. A travellers favorite way to book flights, as it searches websites and airlines around the world with one click.
Book Your Bus or Transportation Within South Korea:
There are two ways to book your transporation, ask your hotel or hostel, go to the local bus terminal, or book online, for a less stressful trip using EasyBook or 12go.asia
Book Your Accomodation:
Find the best hotels or hostels at HostelWorld, Booking.com, Agoda.com. Perks include with no upfront payment. Pay when you check out and Free cancellations.
Dont Forget Your Travel Insurance:
Two popular choices are SafetyWing and WorldsNomads. A traveler should buy traveler’s insurance to protect themselves against unexpected events such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost or stolen baggage. It provides peace of mind and financial protection in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Useful Apps?
KaokaoBus /K-Eta- Local Transportation
NaverMaps, KaoKaoMaps – GPS
Baemin and Yogiyo – Food Delivery
T-Money : Payments and Transporation
Papago – Translation
Whatsapp/KaoKao- Communication
Want More Information On South Korea?
Be sure to check out my nomad travel guide on the South Korea for even more tips.
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase.
