Korea Digital Nomad Visa 2024 / Korea Workcation Visa For K-pop & K-Culture Lovers

And the wait is over! For all Korea lovers, especially Kpop, and Kdrama fans, South Korea has announced the launch of Korea Digital Nomad Visa aka “Workaction Visa” effective January 1, 2024. This visa will permit foreign nationals to reside in the country for a maximum of two years while engaging in remote work for their overseas employers.

What is Workcation:

Workcation, a fusion of ‘work’ and ‘vacation,’ allows individuals to travel and perform their job duties remotely, away from the traditional offices. Digital nomadism refers to the freedom of working remotely from any location, including foreign countries. Over the past few years, an increasing global population has embraced this flexible work style.

The visa is officially called workation visa (F-1-D).

What is Korea Digital Nomad Visa

The Korean Government recently introduced a new visa, officially launched on January 1st. This workation visa, also referred to as a digital nomad visa, permits remote workers to reside in Korea for a duration of up to two years while remaining employed by a company based abroad.

Previously, individuals seeking a ‘workcation’ in Korea had to either secure a tourist visa or stay for less than 90 days without a visa. However, upon the visa’s expiration, they were required to depart the country.

Implementation Period : Jan. 1, 2024 ~ Dec. 31, 2024

Important Points about Korea’s Workcation Visa

• Commencement Date: January 1, 2024
• Eligibility: Open to foreign individuals desiring to work remotely in South Korea, including their family members (spouse and children)
• Duration: A maximum of 2 years, with the option for a 1-year extension if needed.

Korea Workcation Visa Type

• Visa type: F-1-D (Workation)
• Multiple entry Visa (Validity 1 year, Stay period 1 year)

Eligibility & Requirements for Korea Digital Nomad Visa

1. Employment: Work for a foreign company or operate as a freelancer overseas.
2. Income Threshold: Generate an income exceeding around 85 million won ($66,000) in the year 2022 (7.08 million Won per month). In other words, the applicants must have earned 2 times Korea’s GNI of the previous year.
3. Age and Experience: Be 18 years or older and possess a minimum of one year of experience in the same industry.
4. Medical Insurance: Maintain personal medical insurance providing coverage of at least 100 million won for hospital treatment and repatriation during your stay in Korea.

How To Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa for South Korea

Application Process: Submit your application at the Korean embassy in your home country. If currently in Korea, you can transition from the visa exemption (B-1), tourist visa (B-2), or short-term stay visa (C-3). However, it is recommended to apply in your home country, at least for the time being.

Required Documents:

It is advisable to consult your embassy for the specific list of documents needed. The subsequent list comprises the standard documents generally required for the workation visa application, but additional documentation may be necessary based on your country of application.

1. Visa Form
2. Passport
3. Copy of Passport
4. Passport Photo
5. Evidence of Employment or Work
6. Pay Slip
7. Bank Statements (to substantiate income)
8. Additional Financial Proof (all taxable income accrued within the year)
9. Criminal Record Extract (no prior convictions permitted in your home country or Korea)
10. Proof of Private Insurance covering a minimum of 100 million won for accidents, transportation, and medical assistance
11. Mandatory: Address in Korea for Application

Mandatory TB Test for Korea Digital Nomad Visa

All applicants of long-term visa with the below nationalities are required to submit Certificate of TB (tuberculosis) Screening issued from hospitals designated by the embassy. 

<35 Countries>

Angola, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Cambodia, China, Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Moldova, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor Leste, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zimbabwe.

** TB treatment history, Signs & Symptoms suggestive of TB, and Chest X-ray result are mandatory from Dec. 1, 2022 (Use attached format) 

• Validity of the certificate is 3 months
• Children below 5 years old are exempted

*Passport sized picture of the applicant should be attached on Certificate of TB (tuberculosis) Screening. The picture should bear the dry seal of the hospital or the signature of the doctor in-charge. The laboratory test result should be submitted together with the Certificate of TB (tuberculosis) Screening.

In case the result of the examination is positive, the visa application is automatically denied.

You can find out more FAQs on Korea Digital Nomad Visa on Korea Digital Nomad website here.

Criminal record certificate

• Submission of a criminal record certificate from the country of nationality of the applicant is required. If the applicant has stayed for more than one year in another country in the last five years, criminal record certificate from the relevant country must be submitted as well.
• Subject to exemption from submission: Under 14 years of age
• For more details, please check the official notice about Korea Digital Nomad Visa on the Korean Embassy’s website.

Some potential benefits of Korea Digital Nomad Visa

Assuming the inclusion of a resident card (pending confirmation), the visa offers several advantages. These perks may encompass the ability to secure cost-effective, extended apartment rentals, open a bank account for convenient home food delivery, avail free Korean language classes, and, naturally, enjoy an extended stay in this remarkable country for more than three consecutive months!

Download the documents below:

Meanwhile, if you want to come to South Korea to study on fully funded scholarships, don’t forget to apply for the following full degree scholarships.