Jeju island lifestyle
If you’re a remote worker looking for your next base, the Korea digital nomad visa deserves a hard look. Picture this: you’re sitting in a third-wave coffee shop in Hongdae, Seoul. Your laptop is connected to Wi-Fi that’s faster than your fiber connection back home. Outside, cherry blossoms line a pedestrian street where college students browse vintage shops. You just had a ₩9,000 ($7) lunch — hand-pulled noodles with pork belly — and your next video call is in 20 minutes. This is not a vacation. This is a Tuesday.
South Korea has been quietly climbing the ranks of digital nomad destinations, and in 2026 it’s impossible to ignore. After all, the country runs on what might be the world’s best internet infrastructure, has a transit system so punctual you could set your watch by it, and offers a cost of living roughly 22 percent lower than major U.S. cities. On top of that, the cultural pull doesn’t hurt either — K-pop, K-drama, K-food, and a café scene that borders on religious devotion have turned Korea into a place people don’t just visit, but genuinely want to live.
On January 1, 2024, South Korea launched the Workation Visa (F-1-D), its first-ever South Korea workation visa for remote professionals. What makes this F-1-D visa Korea offers so compelling is its duration: up to two years, making it the longest digital nomad visa in East Asia. Japan caps theirs at six months. Taiwan offers roughly the same. Korea is essentially saying: don’t just pass through — actually build a life here. The country is home to a thriving startup ecosystem with multiple unicorn companies, which makes it an especially compelling base for tech professionals and entrepreneurs.
The F-1-D — officially the “Workation (Digital Nomad) Visa” — is a pilot program from Korea’s Ministry of Justice, designed to attract high-earning remote workers who’ll spend money in the local economy without competing for Korean jobs. Think of it as Korea rolling out the red carpet, but only for people who can prove they’re already doing well.
Here’s the short version of what you need to meet the Korean nomad visa requirements:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 18 or older |
| Employment | Working for a foreign company, or self-employed with overseas clients |
| Work Experience | At least 1 year in your industry (same company not required) |
| Annual Income | |
| Health Insurance | Private coverage of at least ₩100 million (~$75,000) including repatriation |
| Criminal Record | Clean background check, apostilled |
| Local Employment | Absolutely not — no working for Korean companies, period |
That $66,000 income floor deserves some context. It’s high by global nomad visa standards. Thailand’s DTV only asks for $15,000 in savings and doesn’t set a minimum income at all. Portugal wants about $3,500 a month. Korea is clearly not chasing backpackers with laptops — the government designed this for mid-career professionals and senior freelancers who’ll rent proper apartments, eat at restaurants, and generally inject money into the economy.
You get one year initially, extendable for a second year — two years total. Moreover, the visa is multiple-entry, so you can hop to Japan for a weekend, fly home for the holidays, or take a month in Bali without losing your Korean visa status. There’s no minimum residency requirement either. You won’t get penalized for leaving.
This is where the F-1-D gets genuinely generous. Specifically, your spouse and kids under 18 can join you on their own F-1-D visas. The catch? There is no catch — they don’t need to independently meet the income threshold. If you qualify, your family comes along for the ride.
Let’s be honest: the application process for the South Korea workation visa isn’t complicated, but it is paperwork-heavy. In fact, the number one reason people get delayed or rejected is sloppy documentation. Take it seriously.
You’ll need all of this:
Applying from home: Submit everything at your nearest Korean embassy or consulate. Some consulates — Los Angeles, for instance — even accept mailed applications with notarized passport copies. Expect 10 to 15 business days for processing, though it varies.
Already in Korea on a tourist visa? You can convert. If you entered on a B-1, B-2, or C-3 visa, head to the local immigration office and apply for a status change before your current visa expires. This is a great option if you want to test-drive Korea for a few weeks before committing.
The visa fee itself is $45–$100 depending on your nationality. Budget extra for translation, notarization, and apostille costs.
This is the section nobody wants to read but everybody needs to. The financial realities of holding an F-1-D visa in Korea are manageable, but they require some planning.
Korea’s tax situation for digital nomad visa holders is still a bit of a gray zone. Here’s what we know:
If you live in Korea for 183 days or more in a calendar year, you’re generally considered a tax resident and could owe Korean income tax on your worldwide earnings. Rates are progressive — 6 percent on the low end, up to 42 percent at the top.
Stay under 183 days, or ensure your income is entirely foreign-sourced and not remitted to a Korean bank? In that case, you’re typically a non-resident, taxed only on Korean-sourced income — which for most remote workers is zero.
The good news is that Korea has double taxation treaties with 90+ countries, including the U.S., Canada, the UK, and Australia. American citizens can also use the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion to shield up to $130,000 from federal tax (2025 tax year).
On the other hand, clear official guidance on F-1-D taxation remains thin. The Digital Nomads Korea community’s Discord has an entire channel dedicated to members sharing their tax experiences. The National Tax Service hotline (dial 126) can help, but hiring a local tax accountant is worth the investment if you’re staying long-term.
You need private international insurance to get the visa. However, if you stay beyond six months, you’ll be enrolled in Korea’s National Health Insurance system — and honestly, it’s excellent. Monthly premiums start around ₩130,000 ($97) for a single person. For Americans used to paying $400+ for mediocre coverage, this is a revelation. Korean hospitals are modern, efficient, and often cheaper even without insurance than insured care in the U.S.
You can’t open a Korean bank account on day one. Instead, you first need your Alien Registration Card (ARC), which you’ll get after registering at the immigration office within 90 days of arrival. Once you have the ARC, banks like Hana, Shinhan, and Woori will work with you — ask for branches with English-speaking staff (they exist in Seoul and Busan).
Why bother? Because Korea runs on its own payment ecosystem. As a result, KakaoPay, Naver Pay, and local apps are wired to Korean bank accounts. Without one, ordering delivery food or paying at some smaller restaurants can be surprisingly awkward. Kakao Bank and Toss Bank are mobile-first options popular with younger Koreans. English support is limited, but plenty of nomads have navigated setup with help from community members or Korean-speaking friends.
Where you live will define your experience more than almost any other decision. The three main options each attract different types of Korea digital nomad visa holders.
| Seoul | Busan | Jeju | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR, central) | ₩800K–1.2M ($600–900) | ₩400K–600K ($300–450) | ₩500K–800K ($375–600) |
| Coworking | ₩240K–270K/mo ($180–200) | ₩200K–230K/mo ($150–170) | Limited; mostly cafés |
| Internet | 100+ Mbps, free Wi-Fi everywhere | 100+ Mbps | 50–100 Mbps |
| Total Monthly Cost | ₩1.8M–2.8M ($1,350–2,100) | ₩1.5M–1.8M ($1,100–1,400) | ₩1.6M–2.2M ($1,200–1,650) |
| Nomad Scene | Large, active | Growing | Small, tight-knit |
| Transit | World-class subway + bus | Good metro + bus | You need a car |
| The Vibe | Fast, cosmopolitan, never bored | Beach + mountains, relaxed | Island time, nature immersion |
Most nomads end up here, and it’s easy to see why. For instance, over 100 coworking spaces dot the city — WeWork runs 18 locations, FastFive has 20+ spots near subway stations, and indie spaces in Gangnam, Yeoksam, and Hongdae cater to every work style. For the full rundown, see Seoulz’s complete list of coworking spaces in Seoul. The Seoul Global Center offers free consultations for foreigners on everything from visas to apartment hunting.
The neighborhoods have distinct personalities. Hongdae is young, creative, and loud — great if you thrive on energy. Itaewon is the international district, English-friendly, full of global restaurants and bars. Gangnam is corporate, polished, and expensive. Ultimately, pick the one that matches how you live, not how you vacation.
The downside? Seoul’s rent is the highest in Korea, and the pace can be relentless. If you came looking for “slow living,” this isn’t it.
Think of Busan as Seoul’s cooler, more laid-back sibling who moved to the beach. You get nearly all the infrastructure — solid metro, fast internet, great food — at 20–30 percent lower cost, with ocean views thrown in. In particular, the Haeundae district has become the unofficial nomad hub, anchored by NOMAD LIVE, a coliving-coworking hostel where you can surf before your morning standup.
Of course, there are trade-offs: fewer dedicated coworking spaces (most nomads just work from cafés, which are abundant and Wi-Fi-equipped) and thinner English-language services. Still, the community is growing fast, and Busan’s food scene — particularly its seafood — might be Korea’s best-kept secret.
Jeju is Korea’s Bali. Volcanic peaks, tangerine orchards, black lava rock coastlines, and a pace of life that makes Busan look rushed. Mangrove Jeju City offers a Work & Stay experience in a beautifully restored 1980s coastal hotel, and O-Peace Jeju runs two branches with views that make Zoom backgrounds irrelevant.
The reality check: you need a car. In addition, public transit is limited. Coworking options are sparse. And while café Wi-Fi is generally solid, it’s noticeably less consistent than on the mainland. Jeju is perfect if you want to write a novel, build a product in deep focus, or just breathe — but if you need a bustling nomad community, look north.
Korea is one of the most digitally integrated countries on earth, yet it runs on its own tech stack. Download these before you land — or you’ll spend your first week confused.
KakaoTalk is non-negotiable. Ninety-seven percent of Koreans use it. Your landlord will text you on it. Restaurants send reservations through it. Friend groups plan everything — dinners, hiking trips, weekend road trips — on KakaoTalk. If you don’t have it, you effectively don’t exist here.
Kakao Map and Naver Map replace Google Maps, which is borderline useless in Korea due to data restrictions. Both Korean apps offer real-time transit tracking, walking routes, and restaurant reviews — in English. Learn to love them.
Papago is Naver’s translation app, and it’s genuinely better than Google Translate for Korean. For example, point your camera at a restaurant menu and read it in English. Use conversation mode for awkward pharmacy visits. It’s not perfect, but it will save you dozens of times a week.
Baemin (배달의민족) handles food delivery. The interface is mainly Korean, but the photo-heavy menus are surprisingly navigable. Coupang Eats is a bit more foreigner-friendly if you’re still getting your bearings.
Coupang is Korea’s Amazon. Rocket Delivery means most items arrive the next day — often the same day. When you’re setting up an apartment from scratch, it’s a lifeline.
T-money is your transit card. Grab one at any convenience store for ₩4,000, and it works on every subway, bus, and most taxis nationwide. Apple Pay and Samsung Pay also support T-money now.
Moving to a country where you don’t speak the language can be isolating. Fortunately, Korea’s nomad community is small compared to, say, Lisbon or Chiang Mai, but it’s tight-knit and welcoming — and it’s growing fast thanks to the F-1-D visa program.
Digital Nomads Korea is the hub. They run a coliving-coworking space in Hongdae, host weekly in-person events, and maintain an active Discord server that’s become the go-to resource for visa questions, apartment hunting, and tax advice. If you join one thing before arriving, make it this.
Seoul Global Center is a free, government-run resource offering multilingual consultations on visas, housing, healthcare, and Korean language classes. Underused and extremely helpful.
Meetup and Facebook Groups fill in the gaps. Search “Seoul Digital Nomads,” “Busan Expats,” or “Foreigners in Korea” for regular social events and language exchanges. If you’re in tech, explore the top startup communities in Seoul for more professional connections.
One important administrative note: within 90 days of entering Korea on your F-1-D visa, you must register at the immigration office and receive your Alien Registration Card (ARC). This is your Korean ID. It unlocks bank accounts, phone contracts, gym memberships, and delivery app registrations. Don’t procrastinate on this.
The Korea digital nomad visa doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Here’s how it stacks up against the competition across Asia.
| South Korea (F-1-D) | Japan (DN Visa) | Thailand (DTV) | Indonesia (B211A) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Stay | 2 years (1+1) | 6 months, no renewal | 180 days/entry, 5-year visa | 60 days + extensions |
| Income Req. | ~$66,000/year | ~$67,000/year | $15,000 savings | ~$2,000/month |
| Family | Spouse + kids | Spouse + kids | Separate apps | No |
| Residence Card | ARC (full ID) | None issued | None | None |
| Bank Account | Yes, with ARC | Very difficult | Difficult | Limited |
| Internet | 100+ Mbps | 80+ Mbps | 30–60 Mbps | 20–40 Mbps |
| Monthly Cost | $1,350–2,100 | $2,000–3,500 | $800–1,500 | $1,000–1,800 |
| Path to Residency | No | No | No | No |
Korea vs. Japan essentially comes down to duration versus cultural bucket-list appeal. Similar income thresholds, but Korea’s F-1-D visa gives you four times the stay, a real ID card, and a bank account. Japan’s cities are 30–50 percent pricier. If you want a base to actually work from, the South Korea workation visa wins. If you want a six-month deep dive into temples and ramen, Japan.
Korea vs. Thailand is, in contrast, a premium-versus-budget decision. Thailand’s $15,000 savings requirement with no income floor and a five-year visa makes it the easiest entry point in Asia. But Korea’s internet is two to three times faster, the infrastructure is vastly more developed, and you get a genuine residence card. Thailand is ideal for nomads still building their income. Korea is for those who’ve arrived.
Numbers talk, so here’s a realistic budget for one person living moderately in Seoul on the Korea digital nomad visa.
| Expense | Monthly (₩) | Monthly ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (studio in Hongdae/Mapo) | 800,000 | 600 |
| Utilities (electric, gas, water, internet) | 120,000 | 90 |
| Mobile phone (unlimited data) | 50,000 | 37 |
| Food (mix of cooking + eating out) | 500,000 | 375 |
| Transportation (subway + bus) | 60,000 | 45 |
| Coworking hot desk | 250,000 | 187 |
| Health insurance (NHI) | 130,000 | 97 |
| Going out + social | 200,000 | 150 |
| Miscellaneous | 100,000 | 75 |
| Total | ₩2,210,000 | ~$1,656 |
That’s a comfortable life — not luxurious, not spartan. Essentially, you’re cooking some nights, eating kimbap or jjigae at neighborhood joints on others, taking the subway everywhere, and going out on weekends. Drop the coworking membership and work from cafés, and you shave off another $180.
Some price anchors to calibrate your expectations: a proper lunch at a local spot runs ₩8,000–12,000 ($6–9). Coffee at the trendy places is ₩5,000–6,000 ($4–5). A single subway ride costs ₩1,400 ($1). If you prefer café-hopping over coworking, Seoul has world-class options — check out Seoulz’s guide to the best coffee shops in Seoul for entrepreneurs. And never underestimate the convenience stores. CU, GS25, and 7-Eleven serve surprisingly solid meals for ₩3,000–5,000 ($2–4) — think rice boxes, ramen, and kimbap that’s miles above what you’d find in a Western convenience store.
In Busan, slash 20–30 percent off those numbers. Jeju is comparable to Seoul in total cost — the rent is lower, but you’ll need a car.
The F-1-D launched as a pilot program running from January 2024 through December 2025. Nevertheless, every signal suggests it will continue — President Lee Jae-myung’s government has made foreign talent attraction a pillar of its economic reform agenda.
A few things to watch: the income threshold, currently pegged to twice Korea’s GNI per capita, may be adjusted as the community pushes for broader access. Tax guidance for F-1-D visa holders should improve as more people file Korean taxes and the National Tax Service develops clearer frameworks. New coliving and coworking spaces are opening at an accelerating pace, particularly in Seoul and Busan. And Digital Nomads Korea keeps growing, adding programming and resources with each quarter.
Meanwhile, the regional competition will sharpen too. Japan’s short-duration visa and Thailand’s budget-friendly DTV aren’t going away. But Korea’s combination of infrastructure, safety, duration, and cultural richness is hard to match — especially for professionals who want more than a temporary perch.
If you can clear the $66,000 income bar, the Korea digital nomad visa is one of the most complete packages available anywhere in Asia. Whether you’re looking to build a business in Korea or simply want to live in a city where the subway is spotless, the food is extraordinary, and the Wi-Fi never drops — this is your window. Two years is enough time to learn some Korean, find your neighborhood, and figure out whether this is a chapter or the whole next book.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Visa requirements and tax rules change — confirm everything with the Korean Immigration Service or a qualified professional before applying.
Sources: Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Korean Immigration Service, Digital Nomads Korea Community, Bright!Tax, Greenback Tax Services, Nomads.com, Weave Living, The Digital Nomad Asia.
Korea Webtoon Industry 2026: The Story Engine Behind K-Content The Korea webtoon industry 2026 is…
The Korea gaming industry 2026 is one of the most closely watched sectors in Asia. When the…
The Seoul-born startups raising $1.4 billion and reshaping AI, beauty, and fintech markets worldwide Korea…
$28.3B 1.17M 93.2% Projected market by 2030 Foreign patients in 2024 Year-over-year patient surge K-wellness…
Korea AI adoption is unlike anything the world has seen. Here's how a nation of…
There are Korean trends foreigners don't know about — and they go far beyond K-pop,…