What Is Korea's Workation Visa? Everything You Need to Know (F-1-D)

Hello ! This is KOWORK, a hiring platform for foreigners in Korea.

Have you heard of the Workation Visa? If not, now is a great time to start reading, because South Korea just made it a permanent part of its immigration system. Here is our blog about it : What is Workation Visa

What Is the Workation Visa?

The Workation Visa — officially the F-1-D visa — is a long-stay visa created by the Korean government to let foreign remote workers live in Korea while continuing to work for their overseas employer or business. It began as a pilot program in January 2024, and on June 30, 2026, the Ministry of Justice officially launched it as a permanent program, with several rules updated based on what was learned during the pilot.

Through this visa, the Korean government hopes to bring in foreign talent who will work and travel in Korea, revitalizing the local economy and promoting the country's scenery and culture, especially outside of Seoul.

The Original Pilot Rules (2024–2026)

Under the pilot program, the Workation Visa was available to applicants who:

• Were employed by a foreign company (or owned their own foreign business) for at least one year
• Could work remotely while based in Korea
• Were at least 18 years old
• Earned more than twice Korea's GNI (Gross National Income) per capita

That income bar was steep. It required roughly KRW 100 million or more per year, regardless of the applicant's age or where in Korea they planned to live. This shut out a lot of younger and early-career remote workers who otherwise would have qualified.

The maximum stay under the pilot was capped at two years.

What Changed With the Permanent Program?

1. Longer Maximum Stay

The visa's maximum stay has been extended from two years to three years, giving digital nomads more time to actually settle in and experience the country.

2. Lower Income Thresholds for Younger Applicants and Regional Areas

The standard requirement is still twice the previous year's GNI per capita. But now:

• Applicants aged 18–34 who plan to live outside the Seoul metropolitan area (Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi Province) only need to earn the equivalent of one year's GNI per capita — roughly half the original threshold.
• Everyone else still needs to meet the standard 2× GNI requirement.

For 2026 applications, based on the 2025 GNI per capita of about KRW 52,416,000, the two thresholds work out to approximately:

3. Adjusted Requirements for Applicants With Dependents

If you're bringing a spouse and/or minor children, the income bar is based on where you'll live rather than your age:

• Seoul metropolitan area: at least 2× the GNI per capita
• Non-metropolitan or designated population-decline areas: at least 1.5× the GNI per capita

This applies regardless of the principal applicant's age. Because your family members enter under your visa as dependents, they are not required to hold a remote job or demonstrate separate income.

Required Documents

Want to hear from digital nomads already living in Korea?

Join our community to swap visa tips, discover top regional destinations, and get real-time advice!

👉 [Join the Community]

FAQ

Is the Workation Visa the same as a work visa?
No. The F-1-D visa does not let you work for a Korean company or earn income from a Korean source. It's strictly for people who continue working remotely for an employer or business based outside Korea. Working for a Korean employer requires a separate visa, such as an E-7.

How long can I stay on the Workation Visa?
Under the permanent program, you can stay for up to three years, up from two years during the pilot.

Can I bring my family with me?
Yes. Spouses and minor children can accompany you as dependents, though you'll need to meet a higher income threshold and provide additional documents (marriage certificate, children's birth certificates, apostilled with Korean translation).

I'm a freelancer without a registered company. Can I still apply?
It depends. The visa is officially aimed at people affiliated with an overseas company or who own a registered foreign business. Freelancers with a formally registered business overseas can typically qualify as business owners, but freelancers without any business registration may face difficulties. It's best to confirm your specific situation with your local Korean embassy or consulate.

Do I qualify for the lower income threshold?
Only if you are between 18 and 34 years old and plan to live outside the Seoul metropolitan area (Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi Province). If either condition doesn't apply to you, the standard requirement of twice the GNI per capita applies.

How long does processing take?
Processing times generally range from about 10 business days to 3–4 weeks, depending on the consulate. There's no expedited processing option.

Can I switch to this visa while I'm already in Korea?
If you're currently in Korea on a visa exemption (B-1), tourist visa (B-2), or short-term stay visa (C-3), you may be able to switch to the F-1-D visa without leaving the country — check with Korean immigration for the current process.

Will I need to pay Korean taxes while on this visa?
Possibly. If you stay in Korea for more than 183 days in a year, you may be considered a tax resident under Korean law, which can affect where your income is taxed. This is a complex area, so it's worth consulting a tax professional familiar with Korea's tax treaties before you commit to a long stay.

Note: Visa rules and thresholds can change. Always confirm the latest requirements with the Korean embassy or consulate in your country before applying.