South Korea’s Digital Nomad And Working Holiday Visas

South Korea has been a tough country for expats looking to stay long-term. Although this is a modern, developed nation that is integrated into the global economy and has created a worldwide fan group with K-pop, the government’s attitude towards immigrants is quite conservative.

For many years, most digital nomads living in Korea took a tricky route, holding multiple tourist visas to stay in the country due to strict visa restrictions. However, visa conditions for expats have improved slightly starting January 1, 2024. Since then, expats have had two paths to live and work legally in the country. The first one is the Workation Visa (F-1-D) for established remote professionals, which allows up to 2 years of stay. The latter is the Working Holiday Visa (H-1) for younger adults who want to explore Korea and cover their expenses through part-time work.

These two visa options have attracted tremendous interest from the expats who like to experience Korean culture firsthand. I frequently visited South Korea while I was based in the UAE, thus I understand the enthusiasm for it. However, options are still limited for expats. In this article, I will walk you through the details of these visa programs and give basic information on what it is like to live in South Korea. 

Gyeongbokgung Palace is a famous place in Seoul to visit while there

LIVING IN SOUTH KOREA

Before getting into the visas, a quick word on what you are actually signing up for. If you are looking for a Western-style modern country but with a deeply East Asian culture, South Korea is one of your best choices. Fast internet, excellent public transportation, a reliable healthcare system, a reasonably well-functioning bureaucracy, safety on the streets, and, of course, the best Asian food you can find in the region are all upsides taken for granted.

That said, the downsides of South Korea are too big to ignore. The language barrier is unexpectedly one of the biggest problems you will face here. English is not commonly used in daily life, and even if you speak fluent Korean, you might not be included in social circles. Once you add limited long-term optionality and high taxes, Korea is left off the list for many expats.

The cost of living in South Korea is also something you should consider before moving. The average cost of everyday expenses is reasonable for a highly modern country, even with rent included. A digital nomad can expect expenses of around $1,600 USD for a month, with a one-bedroom apartment in the city center. Sure, there are quite expensive neighbourhoods, especially in Seoul, but you can still find reasonable prices for rent.

The country itself isn't huge either, roughly the size of Indiana. The KTX high-speed rail network connects major cities quickly and reliably. Domestic flights exist but are rarely necessary. That is why you will not have trouble travelling around the country quite efficiently.

If you do not know Korea, Seoul and Busan are likely two of your best options. Busan is an interesting second option, as the city has a mixture of coastal and mountain scenery and a population of only 3.5 million. If you are feeling more adventurous and want to explore other options, there are plenty of cities to consider, and the next eight largest cities have a population between 850,000 and 3 million.

Related content: What Is A Digital Nomad Visa, And How Can You Get One?

Busan is a popular destination for being a mixture of coastal and mountain scenery

WORKATION VISA (F-1-D)

This one is South Korea's digital nomad visa for remote professionals, which was launched on January 1, 2024. Thus, if you are a remote worker employed by companies outside South Korea, you can apply for the visa. Unfortunately, freelancers without a formal overseas business affiliation generally do not qualify. That is an important limitation and one the government has been criticized for, but it is the current reality.

As you may already assume, you cannot work for a Korean employer or engage in any local profit-making activity while on this visa. Violating this rule is a serious immigration offence.

You can stay in South Korea with this visa for up to two years. One year initially, with a one-year extension available if you still meet the requirements. If you think that is too limited, I would say that Japan's equivalent visa is only six months.

There is also an income requirement. You need to earn at least twice the per capita gross national income of South Korea compared to the previous year. The GDP per capita for 2026 is 111,154,000 won; this means the applicant needs to prove an annual pre-tax income of approximately US$72,000. However, the upside is that the requirement applies only to the primary applicant, not dependents. You can apply for the visa, with the conditions listed below:

• 18 or older

• At least one year of experience in your current industry

• Employed by a company outside South Korea (or self-employed with a registered overseas business)

• Annual income meeting the threshold above

• Clean criminal record

• Valid international health insurance covering at least ₩100 million (~$75,000 USD) for medical treatment and repatriation

Dependents Spouses and children under 18 can accompany the primary applicant. Spouses need a marriage certificate and a criminal record check. Children over 14 also need a criminal record check. Birth certificates are required for all children.

Once approved, you apply for an Alien Registration Card (ARC) at your local immigration office within 90 days of arrival. With your ARC, you can open a Korean bank account, long-term phone plans, access to services like Coupang and delivery apps, faster airport immigration lanes, and eligibility for free Korean language classes.

If you spend more than 183 days in South Korea in a calendar year, you become a tax resident. For the first five years of tax residency, you are taxed only on Korean-sourced income, which means your remote foreign income is not taxable in Korea during that period.

You can apply at a South Korean embassy or consulate in your home country. However, if you are already in South Korea on a tourist visa, you can apply for the digital nomad visa without leaving the country. Processing typically takes 3 to 4 weeks. Below are the required documents:

• Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)

• Proof of remote employment or overseas business ownership

• Proof of income meeting the threshold

• International health insurance documentation

• Criminal background check (FBI apostille for US applicants; issued within 6 months)

• Passport-size photo (3.5 x 4.5 cm, white background)

• Completed visa application form

However, you must remember that this visa does not lead to permanent residency.

WORKING HOLIDAY VISA (H-1)

The Working Holiday Visa is not a digital nomad visa. It is designed for young adults who want to spend time in South Korea primarily as tourists, with the option to take on part-time work to fund their stay.

Thus, young adults aged 18 to 30 (the upper limit varies slightly by country), from one of 29 countries that have signed working holiday agreements with South Korea. Countries in the program are: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxemburg, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Israel, Poland, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

Most nationalities get one year. There are some exceptions, though. U.S. nationals can stay up to 18 months; UK and Canadian nationals can stay up to 2 years. Thus, you'd better check your country's specific agreement for the exact duration.

Part-time, supplementary employment only is allowed on this visa. You can work up to 25 hours per week, with a hard cap of 1,300 hours for the year. Jobs in hospitality, retail, translation support, and similar fields are typical. Unfortunately, you cannot teach English and work in specialized professional fields like medicine, law, or engineering. You cannot even perform in entertainment sectors, such as singing and dancing. Below are the key conditions you should consider:

• This is a one-time program, which means that you cannot do it twice.

• No dependents.

• You must apply from your home country and cannot transition to this visa from inside Korea.

• The visa is offered on a quota basis, which means that each country has an annual cap.

• US applicants face an additional requirement: you must be a current post-secondary student or a recent graduate within one year of graduation.

You must have at least ₩3,000,000 (roughly $2,000 USD) in your bank account that shows you can cover your initial expenses and a return flight ticket. Below are the required documents:

• Visa application form

• Valid passport (at least one year of remaining validity)

• Passport photo

• Proof of sufficient funds

• Return flight ticket or proof of financial ability to purchase one

• Health insurance

• Criminal background check

The application process typically takes two to four weeks at your local Korean embassy or consulate, but you should always be prepared if the process takes longer. However, as fees vary by country, you should confirm the exact amount with your embassy before applying.

KOREA ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION

If you like to travel to South Korea before applying to any of these visa programs, you can use the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) platform. In total, nationals or residents of 116 countries and territories must apply for an electronic travel authorization to visit South Korea. However, to get an H-1 or F-1-D visa, you must apply at your local Korean Embassy.

EMPLOYEES SHORTAGE IN THE HOSPITALITY SECTOR

South Korea is a fast-aging country, and as a result, there is a growing labour shortage in the hospitality sector, particularly in tourism and the restaurant industry. To ease the labour shortage, the South Korean government has been developing new paths to lead foreigners to work in South Korea, where there is an urgent need. One example of these efforts is the E-9 visa, which allows expats to work at hotels and tourist accommodations since 2024 and at restaurants since 2025.

However, the E-9 visa is a non-professional employment visa and is under strict control by the public agencies. It is mainly designed for small and medium-sized businesses that cannot find enough Korean workers. Because the procedures also involve Korean employers and strict government approvals, H-1 B and F-1-D visas are better options for eligible candidates.

Related content: The Basics Of How To Get A Second Passport Or A Second Residency

You can visit Songdo Central Park in Incheon with your digital nomad visa

FINAL THOUGHTS

South Korea has high-quality infrastructure and every modern amenity you can imagine - probably even more - with acceptable living costs. It could be a wonderful destination for digital nomads who want to spend time in Asia to experience new cultures. However, a long-term stay or making it a base for a Plan-B strategy might be appealing to only a small number of expats, if any.

That said, the digital nomad visa is a great opportunity for those who like to have a taste of South Korea and East Asia. I had great memories regarding South Korea, and I believe experience in this great country would always enrich your world vision. If you are a young adult from one of the 29 listed countries and travelling to East Asia is one of your goals, the Working Holiday Visa is definitely a good option to take advantage of.

Whether it's exploring the world of K-pop, indulging in delicious cuisine, or marvelling at the country's amazing nature, digital nomads and young adults in South Korea can truly have the best of both worlds.

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