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.
Route overview
F-1-D Digital Nomad (Workation) visa - foreign remote income
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).
Important notes
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).
The pilot ran from January 2024 to May 2026; the permanent F-1-D category launched on 30 June 2026 with relaxed eligibility and a longer maximum stay.
Employment and profit-making activity inside Korea remains prohibited - all income must come from outside Korea.
Three years is the overall maximum, not a single grant; expect an initial one-year period with annual extensions.
Spouses and minor children can accompany the main applicant, but doing so cancels the under-35 discount: the threshold becomes 2x GNI in the capital region and 1.5x GNI outside it whatever your age.
Age is assessed by calendar year, not by birthday, so turning 35 during the application year moves you into the higher band.
Preparation checklist
Work out your income tier first: age band (18-34 or 35+, by calendar year), whether you will stay inside the Seoul metropolitan area, and whether family will come with you.
Prepare passport, photos, application form and the identity documents on the official checklist.
Prove remote work for an overseas employer or your own overseas business, including at least one year in the same industry.
Gather income evidence against your tier: 1x GNI is KRW 52,416,000, 1.5x is KRW 78,624,000, and 2x is KRW 104,832,000 against the 2026 figure.
Take out private medical insurance of at least KRW 100m covering treatment in Korea and repatriation.
Obtain a criminal record certificate and have it apostilled or consular-legalised.
Register as a foreigner after arrival, then track your annual extension dates against the three-year maximum.