South KoreaDigital nomad

visa for remote workers in South Korea

The Workcation Visa is a Korean visa for remote employees of overseas companies and owners of businesses abroad who want to live in the country while continuing to work for a foreign employer. It can be obtained either at a Korean embassy abroad or inside the country by changing status from a tourist visa.

Visa term

Around 1 year (one renewal possible); the rules are still taking shape

Threshold

Proof of stable income above the threshold and of savings

Processing time

As for long-term visit visas (1-4 weeks)

Work

Remote work only for a foreign employer; local work is prohibited

Source: immigration.go.kr — digital nomad (workation) visa: conditions and requirements

How to apply

From abroad

The application is filed at a Korean diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate) in your own country.

Already in Korea

A change of status is available to those who entered on a short-term tourist visa B-1, B-2 or C-3 and meet the programme's requirements.
The application to change status is filed at the local immigration office.

Documents to gather

The list of documents from the Ministry of Justice's official notice.

Visa application form (form No. 17)
Passport
A standard-format photograph
Income documents: employment certificate, salary certificate, bank account statement
A criminal record certificate with an apostille (or consular legalisation)
A personal medical insurance policy with cover of at least 100 million won
Documents proving the family relationship — if travelling with family members

How the process runs

The procedure according to the Korean Ministry of Justice.

1
Gather documents on income and employment
You will need an employment certificate, a salary certificate and a bank statement confirming income above the prescribed threshold.
2
Arrange medical insurance
Personal medical insurance must cover treatment and repatriation home for at least 100 million won for the whole period of stay.
3
File the visa application
The documents are filed at a Korean diplomatic mission abroad. If the applicant is already in Korea on a short-term tourist visa B-1, B-2 or C-3 and meets the requirements, the application to change status is filed at the local immigration office.
4
Receive the visa and enter Korea
Once approved, the applicant enters Korea on the Workcation visa issued.
5
Register as a foreign resident
The one-year period of stay is counted from the date of entry at alien registration. The status may be extended once for a further year — a maximum of two years in total.

Who you can bring with you

The conditions for accompanying family members according to the official notice.

Accompanying family members

They may obtain a visa together with the applicant. The minimum age requirement of 18 does not apply to dependent children. Documents proving the family relationship are attached to the application.

Trips, renewal and the grace period

Stay within the permitted period; it does not count towards permanent residence

The visa allows a stay in Korea of one year from the date of entry after alien registration. It may be extended once for a further year — the maximum period of stay on this visa is two years.

How it differs from the routes next to it

The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.

	visa for remote workers	Work visa for specialists	Visa for business investors
Visa term	Around 1 year (one renewal possible); the rules are still taking shape	1-2 years initially, renewable	1 year initially, renewable
Grounds	Remote income	Shortage occupations	Investors/founders
Money	Proof of stable income above the threshold and of savings	No personal funds required; the employer pays the minimum salary under the standard	Minimum investment from ~100 million KRW; proof of the transfer and of the viability of the business
Work	Remote work only for a foreign employer; local work is prohibited	Work for the sponsor; a change requires approval	Managing the investee company; a director on a salary
Residence	Stay within the permitted period; it does not count towards permanent residence	Mainly residence; absences are restricted for permanent residence	Residence in order to manage the business

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

There is usually no direct route

Route to citizenship

Not through this visa

Frequently asked questions about visa for remote workers

Who can obtain a Workcation Visa?

The visa is intended for foreign nationals aged 18 and above who work remotely for an overseas company or run their own business abroad and have worked in the same field for at least one year. Accompanying family members may obtain a visa together with the applicant.

What income is required for the Workcation visa?

Income must be at least twice the average gross national income per capita for the previous year according to the Bank of Korea. On the 2022 figures that is 84.96 million won a year, or 7.08 million won a month.

Can you bring your family on a Workcation Visa?

Yes, accompanying family members may obtain a visa together with the applicant. The minimum age requirement of 18 does not apply to dependent children. Documents proving the family relationship are attached to the application.

For how long is the visa issued and can it be extended?

On entry and alien registration you are given a year of stay. The visa may be extended once for a further year — the maximum period of stay on this visa is two years.

How does the Workcation Visa differ from a tourist visa?

A foreign national already in Korea on a short-term tourist visa B-1, B-2 or C-3 may change status to the Workcation Visa at the local immigration office if they meet the programme's requirements — there is no need to leave the country to do so.

Can you work in Korea on this visa?

No. The visa allows remote work for an overseas employer or an overseas business, but employment and commercial activity within Korea are prohibited on it.

Other ways to move to South Korea

Every route in one list — migration programmes: South Korea.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 8 August 2026.