Korea Digital Nomad Visa 2025: How to Work Remotely from Seoul

Thinking about working remotely from Korea in 2025?

Korea is becoming an attractive destination for digital nomads, thanks to its fast internet, efficient public transport, rich culture, and safe cities like Seoul and Busan.

Until recently, staying long-term was a challenge unless you had a local employer. But that changed in 2024, when Korea launched the Digital Nomad Visa, officially known as the F‑1‑D Workation Visa. This visa allows foreign remote workers and their families to live in Korea for up to 2 years — without needing to work for a Korean company.

In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know to apply in 2025:
from who’s eligible, how much income you need, what documents are required, and what to expect once you’re here.

Let’s dive in. 

What Is Korea’s Digital Nomad Visa (F‑1‑D)?

Korea’s Digital Nomad Visa, officially named the F‑1‑D Workation Visa, was launched in January 2024.
It’s designed for foreigners who work remotely for companies outside of Korea.
The main goal is to attract skilled professionals who want to experience life in Korea without needing local employment.

This visa allows eligible remote workers and their families to live in Korea for up to two years (initial one year + one extension). Unlike work visas, you don’t need a job offer from a Korean employer. It’s ideal for remote employees, freelancers, or business owners who earn income abroad.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

To qualify for the F‑1‑D visa, you must:

• Be currently working remotely for a company or clients outside Korea.

• Have at least 1 year of work experience in your current field or industry.

• Earned ₩100 million KRW or more (approx. $72,000 USD) in the past 12 months.

• Hold private health insurance covering at least ₩100 million KRW in Korea.

• Have a clean criminal record from your home country.

Freelancers, entrepreneurs, and contractors can apply as long as their work is fully remote and income comes from foreign sources. You’ll need to provide documents proving your employment, income, and insurance coverage.

There’s no Korean language requirement. However, some documents may need to be officially translated into English or Korean, depending on your embassy or immigration office.

Income & Insurance Requirements (Updated for 2025)

Income Threshold

Applicants must have earned at least ₩100 million KRW in the past year, equivalent to about $72,000 USD. This amount is based on twice Korea’s per capita GNI. You can submit:

• Tax returns

• Employer letters or freelance contracts

• Pay slips or bank statements

Income must come from foreign sources. If your income is mixed (e.g. clients in multiple countries), only the non-Korean income counts.

Health Insurance

You need private insurance with coverage of ₩100 million KRW or more. It must include:

• Emergency and inpatient care in Korea

• Validity throughout your entire stay

If you stay in Korea for more than 6 months, you’ll be automatically enrolled in the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). However, if your private insurance offers equal or better coverage — including inpatient, outpatient, and emergency care in Korea — you can apply for an exemption by submitting translated documents to a local NHIS office.

Required Documents and Application Process

Required Documents

Prepare the following:

• Valid passport

• Visa application form

• Employment proof (contract, letter, or freelance agreement)

• Income proof (tax documents, pay slips, etc.)

• Criminal background check (apostilled if needed)

• Health insurance certificate (₩100M+ coverage)

• Photo (3.5 × 4.5 cm)

• For family: marriage/birth certificates (translated)

All non-English/Korean documents must be translated and certified.

Where to Apply

• Outside Korea: Visit a Korean embassy or consulate.

• Inside Korea: If on a tourist visa, you can request a status change at an immigration office.

Processing Time

Expect 2–4 weeks for processing. Times vary by country and office workload. Some applicants reported longer waits when submitting incomplete or unverified documents.

Visa Conditions & Benefits

Duration & Extension

The F‑1‑D visa is valid for 1 year. You can extend it once, for another 1 year, making the maximum stay 2 years. Extensions must be applied for before your current visa expires.

Bringing Family

You can bring your spouse and children. They must:

• Apply as dependents

• Submit marriage or birth certificates

• Have valid health insurance (same coverage standard)

Dependents cannot work or study in Korean public schools under this visa. If they want to work or study, they must apply for separate visas.

What You Can Do

• Live anywhere in Korea

• Work remotely for non-Korean companies

• Travel freely in and out of Korea

• Join private language programs (non-degree)

What You Cannot Do ❌

• Work for Korean employers (even freelance)

• Enroll in university degree programs

• Register a business in Korea

Violating visa conditions can result in fines, cancellation, or deportation.

Can You Work for Korean Companies?

No. The F‑1‑D visa does not allow any kind of employment in Korea, including:

• Full-time or part-time jobs at Korean companies

• Freelancing for Korean clients

• Selling services or products to the Korean market

This visa is designed to support remote work only for foreign income sources.

Want to Work Locally?

If your goal is to work in Korea, you’ll need to change to a work visa. Common options include:

• E-7: For foreign professionals

• D-8: For business founders or investors

• D-10: For job seekers

Each visa has its own eligibility and process, so plan ahead before switching.

Best Cities in Korea for Digital Nomads

🔵 Seoul

• Best for: Convenience, networking, services

• Pros: Fastest internet, co-working spaces, strong expat community

• Cons: High cost of living, crowded in peak hours

Top areas: Gangnam (business), Itaewon (expat hub), Hongdae (creative scene)

🔵 Busan

• Best for: Coastal life with urban balance

• Pros: Beaches, relaxed pace, growing nomad interest

• Cons: Less English signage, fewer coworking hubs

Top areas: Haeundae (beach + work), Seomyeon (downtown)

🔵 Jeju Island

• Best for: Nature, quiet productivity

• Pros: Scenic environment, hiking, fresh air

• Cons: Travel cost, fewer digital services

Jeju is ideal for creators, writers, or solo professionals.

Other cities like Daegu (tech) or Gwangju (arts) are emerging, but infrastructure for foreigners may be limited.

Real Experiences from 2024-2025 Applicants

Feedback from Reddit and expat forums highlights both positives and challenges:

What Worked Well:

• Application was approved faster when all documents were complete and certified

• Changing status inside Korea (from tourist to F‑1‑D) worked smoothly in Seoul

• Mobile setup and housing were manageable using expat-focused services

What to Watch Out For:

• Some immigration offices weren’t familiar with the F‑1‑D visa, causing delays

• Background checks took weeks to apostille in some countries

• Insurance verification was strict — vague or limited coverage was rejected