Korea launched its Digital Nomad / Workcation visa (F-1-D) in January 2023, making it one of Asia’s first dedicated remote work visa programs. It allows foreign remote workers employed by overseas companies to legally live and work from Korea without needing a Korean employer — something that was previously impossible without overstaying a tourist visa.
The catch: the income requirement is high, and the visa is specifically designed for established remote professionals — not entry-level freelancers or casual digital nomads.
📑 In this guide
The F-1-D is a stay visa, not a work visa — technically. You’re authorized to stay in Korea while continuing to work remotely for your overseas employer. You are not authorized to take on Korean clients, work for Korean companies, or engage in commercial activities in the Korean domestic market. If you want to work for a Korean company, you need an E-7, not an F-1-D.
1. What the F-1-D Visa Is (and What It’s Not)
The F-1-D (디지털노마드/워케이션) visa sits under the F-1 (방문동거) category — which is why it’s technically a “stay” authorization rather than a work authorization. This distinction matters legally:
| Activity | Permitted on F-1-D? |
|---|---|
| Working remotely for your overseas employer | ✅ Yes — this is the entire point of the visa |
| Taking on Korean clients or customers | ❌ No — domestic commercial activity prohibited |
| Working for a Korean company | ❌ No — requires E-7 or other Korean work visa |
| Freelancing for overseas clients (existing relationship) | ⚠️ Gray area — consult with immigration; generally OK if employer relationship is existing and stable |
| Living in Korea long-term (up to 1–2 years) | ✅ Yes |
| Bringing spouse and children | ✅ Yes — same conditions apply, with family exception for children’s age |
2. Full Eligibility Requirements
| Requirement | Official rule |
|---|---|
| Employment type | Must be employed by an overseas company (해외 사업체 소유자 또는 해외 기업에 소속된 외국인) — either as an employee or as a business owner with a foreign-registered company. The company must operate outside Korea. |
| Remote work capability | Your work must be capable of being performed remotely (원격근무가 가능한 자) — i.e., location-independent work |
| Minimum employment duration | 1 year or more in the same industry/field (동일 업종에 1년 이상 근무). This prevents people from creating a company or starting a job specifically to qualify for the visa. |
| Minimum age | 18 years or older at time of application. Exception: dependent children have no minimum age. |
| Annual income | At least 2× Korea’s per-capita GNI (전년도 1인당 국민총소득의 2배 이상). See Section 3 for exact 2026 figures. |
| Health insurance | Must be enrolled in health insurance covering hospital treatment and repatriation for the duration of stay. Korean NHIS satisfies this if enrolled; private international health insurance accepted if coverage is adequate. |
| Criminal background | Standard criminal background check required — apostilled from your country of citizenship |
3. The Income Threshold: What You Need to Earn
This is where most applicants are screened out. The income requirement is 2× the previous year’s per-capita GNI, verified by income documentation.
| GNI reference | Calculation | Required annual income |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 per-capita GNI (한국은행 발표) | KRW 52,416,000 × 2 | KRW 104,832,000/year (≈ USD 76,000) |
4. F-1-D vs. Tourist Visa vs. E-7: What’s Different
- Duration: 30–90 days
- Remote work: Technically illegal (no authorization)
- Income requirement: None
- Family: Can visit separately
- ARC: No (short stay)
- Health insurance: Not mandatory
- Common reality: Many nomads use this but are technically out of compliance
- Duration: Up to 1 year (renewable once)
- Remote work: ✅ Fully legal for overseas employer
- Income: KRW 104,832,000/year minimum
- Family: ✅ Spouse + children can join
- ARC: ✅ Issued for stays over 90 days
- Health insurance: Required
- Korean work: ❌ Not permitted
- Duration: 1–3 years (renewable)
- Work: ✅ Korean employer, designated occupation
- Salary: KRW 31,120,000+ minimum
- Family: ✅ F-3 dependent visa
- ARC: ✅ Required
- Requires Korean employer sponsorship
- Path to F-2-7 and F-5
5. Required Documents
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Visa application form (사증발급신청서, 별지 17호) | Download from the Korean embassy or consulate in your country |
| Passport | Valid for at least 6 months beyond intended stay |
| Passport-size photo | Standard specification — white background, recent |
| Employment certificate (재직증명서) | Official letter from your overseas employer confirming: your name, job title, length of employment (must be 1+ year in the field), and that your work is remote/location-independent. Must include company stamp/seal. |
| Income proof (급여명세서 + 잔고증명) | Recent salary slips (3–6 months) AND bank statements showing income deposits. Must demonstrate annual income ≥ KRW 104,832,000 (2× 2025 GNI). |
| Health insurance certificate | Insurance policy showing coverage including hospital treatment and repatriation, valid for the duration of your stay in Korea |
| Criminal background check | From your country of citizenship — apostilled. Check with the Korean embassy/consulate in your country for the specific requirement. |
| Family documents (if applicable) | Marriage certificate + children’s birth certificates — apostilled with Korean translation |
6. How to Apply
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1
Apply at the Korean embassy or consulate in your home country
The F-1-D visa is issued as an entry visa — you apply before coming to Korea, at the Korean diplomatic mission in your country. In-country applications (while already in Korea on a tourist visa) may be possible in some cases but check with the local immigration office first — it is not guaranteed.
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2
Submit all documents at the embassy
Bring originals and copies of all required documents. Your income and employment documentation is the most scrutinized part — make sure your salary slips and employment certificate clearly show the income amount and that your tenure in the field meets the 1-year minimum.
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3
Wait for visa issuance — typically 1–2 weeks
Processing time varies by embassy. Check the Korean embassy website in your country for current processing times. The visa is issued as a single-entry or multiple-entry visa depending on your nationality’s reciprocity arrangement.
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4
Enter Korea and register your ARC within 90 days
If your F-1-D stay period exceeds 90 days (which it almost certainly will), register at your local immigration office within 90 days of entry to receive your Alien Registration Card. The ARC is required for bank accounts, phone plans, and long-term accommodation.
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5
Enroll in NHIS (health insurance) after 6 months if not already covered
If your overseas private health insurance does not meet Korean NHIS standards, you will be automatically enrolled in Korean NHIS as a local subscriber after 6 months of residence. Budget approximately KRW 150,000–160,000/month for local subscriber premiums.
7. Bringing Your Family
| Family member | Visa type | Work rights | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse | F-1-D (same conditions as primary applicant) | ⚠️ Can work remotely for overseas employer if they also meet income/employment criteria independently | Spouse must meet all F-1-D requirements independently OR can join as F-1 dependent (no work rights) |
| Minor children | F-1 (family visit/stay) | N/A | Birth certificates + family relationship documentation. Age exception: no minimum age for children even though adult applicants must be 18+. |
8. Tax Implications
This is one of the least-discussed but most important aspects of the F-1-D visa. Korea’s tax system is based on tax residency — not visa type.
| Situation | Korean tax obligation |
|---|---|
| Stay in Korea less than 183 days in a calendar year | Generally not considered a Korean tax resident — income from overseas employer typically not subject to Korean income tax |
| Stay in Korea 183+ days in a calendar year | Likely considered a Korean tax resident — worldwide income (including overseas employer salary) may be subject to Korean income tax |
| Tax treaty between Korea and your home country | May prevent double taxation. Korea has tax treaties with 90+ countries. The treaty determines which country has primary taxing rights. |
| Social insurance contributions (NHIS, pension) | After 6 months of residence: NHIS mandatory (local subscriber). National Pension: depends on your country’s social security agreement with Korea. |
9. Common Questions
- For remote workers employed by overseas companies — not Korean companies
- Income requirement: KRW 104,832,000/year (2× 2025 GNI) — approximately USD 76,000
- Minimum 1 year of employment in the same industry
- Age: 18+ (dependent children exempt)
- Stay: up to 1 year, renewable once (max ~2 years)
- Apply at Korean embassy in your home country before arrival
- Cannot work for Korean companies or take Korean clients
- Tax residency rules apply after 183 days — get professional advice
Related: Visa First or Job First in Korea? →
Related: Complete Guide: Working in Korea as a Foreigner →