South Korea · long-stay visa routes and official sources
5 routes tracked · last reviewed · every route links to its official government source
Long-term visa difficulty for South Korea: Medium (54/100, lower is easier). Most practical route: Study / workation-style remote visa / E-7.
Common questions
What is the most practical long-term visa route to South Korea?
Based on our July 2026 review, the most practical route is usually: Study / workation-style remote visa / E-7. Overall difficulty is rated "Medium" (54/100, lower is easier).
Can I move to South Korea without a local job offer?
Yes — 3 of the 5 tracked routes do not require a local employer: F-1-D Digital Nomad (Workation) visa; D-2 Student Visa; D-4 Language or General Training Visa. Each has its own income, funds, or admission requirements.
E-7 Foreign National of Special Ability / other work visas by occupation
E-7 is limited to occupations designated by the Ministry of Justice; teaching, research, and intra-company transfer work generally use other categories.
Typical timeline / duration: Tied to employer/occupation; duration and renewals depend on visa category and immigration decision.
E-7 covers foreign professionals/specialised workers in occupations designated by the Ministry of Justice and requires Korean employer sponsorship, employment contract, qualifications/experience and occupation-code eligibility.
Other work visas exist for teaching, research, intra-company transfer, etc.
Salary requirements vary by E-7 subcategory and year.
E-7 salary standards were raised on 1 February 2026: the E-7-1 professional threshold went up by KRW 2,450,000 a year and E-7-2 and E-7-3 by KRW 740,000, and since April 2025 the same wage standard applies regardless of company size. Take the exact figures from the Ministry of Justice and HiKorea guidance at application time.
F-1-D Digital Nomad (Workation) visa - foreign remote income
Now a permanent visa category with a three-year maximum. Income thresholds run from 1x to 2x GNI per capita: cheapest at 18-34 outside the Seoul metropolitan area, most expensive at 35+ in Seoul or travelling with family.
Typical timeline / duration: Permanent visa category since 30 June 2026. Normally one year from the date of entry when you register as a foreigner, renewable year by year, up to a maximum of three years (raised from two under the pilot).
Foreign remote workers employed by, or owning, a business outside Korea, with at least one year of work in the same industry; applicants must be 18 or over, except accompanying dependent children.
Income requirement is tiered by age (as of the calendar year) and where in Korea you will stay. GNI per capita as of 2026 is KRW 52,416,000, or KRW 4,368,000 per month.
Aged 18-34, staying in the Seoul metropolitan area (Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi): 1.5x GNI - KRW 78,624,000 a year, about KRW 6,552,000 a month.
Aged 18-34, staying outside the Seoul metropolitan area or in a population-declining or at-risk region: 1x GNI - KRW 52,416,000 a year, about KRW 4,368,000 a month.
Aged 35 or over, staying in the Seoul metropolitan area: 2x GNI - KRW 104,832,000 a year, about KRW 8,736,000 a month.
Aged 35 or over, staying outside the Seoul metropolitan area or in a population-declining or at-risk region: 1.5x GNI - KRW 78,624,000 a year.
Family exception: if your spouse or minor children come with you, age no longer matters. The threshold is 2x GNI in the Seoul metropolitan area and 1.5x GNI outside it.
Private medical insurance covering at least KRW 100m for treatment in Korea and repatriation, plus a criminal record certificate (apostilled or consular-legalised).
A long-term status generally intended for people who already hold an eligible Korean status and meet the applicable income, assets, integration or points requirements.
Typical timeline / duration: Residence duration depends on F-2 subtype and approval.
F-2 long-term residence is generally for people already resident under eligible statuses and meeting income/assets/KIIP or points criteria.
The exact criteria depend on the F-2 subtype and may include income, assets, Korean language or KIIP, points, residence history and a clean immigration record.
For degree study at a Korean institution with admission and financial evidence.
Typical timeline / duration: Usually issued for the approved degree-study period; the permitted stay is set by the visa or residence authority
Submit the visa form, passport, photo, Certificate of Admission, school registration evidence, and final academic credentials.
Provide a bank-balance certificate or scholarship letter showing the tuition and living funds listed in the application mission or school financial checklist.
Work during study requires separate permission and is restricted.
Visa rules change frequently. Figures and requirements above were reviewed on the dates shown; always confirm against the linked official source before applying.