Visa Comparison — South Korea
D-10 vs F-1-D Visa — Job Seeker or Digital Nomad: Which One Do You Need?
The D-10 and F-1-D both allow foreign nationals to live in Korea without a Korean employer — but for opposite reasons. D-10 is for people trying TO find work in Korea. F-1-D is for people who already HAVE work, just for a company based outside Korea. Choosing the wrong one is a common and avoidable mistake.
Written by James Chae — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Platform expertise: Immigration consulting & visa services · Reviewed April 2026
D-10 vs F-1-D — side-by-side comparison
Who it's for
D-10
Graduates and former E-visa holders who want to find employment in Korea
F-1-D
Remote workers employed by a company based OUTSIDE Korea, earning their salary abroad
Do I need a job already?
D-10
No — you are looking for one
F-1-D
Yes — you must already be employed by a foreign (non-Korean) company
Income requirement
D-10
None — you are job-seeking
F-1-D
Tiered by age and region as of a July 2026 update — roughly $42,000 (under 35, outside the capital region) up to $84,000+ (35+, or bringing family, in the Seoul/Incheon/Gyeonggi capital region)
Can I work for a Korean company?
D-10
No — D-10 prohibits commercial employment while job-seeking
F-1-D
No — you may only work remotely for your existing non-Korean employer
Can I work remotely for a foreign employer?
D-10
Not authorized — D-10 is strictly for job-seeking activities in Korea
F-1-D
Yes — this is the entire point of F-1-D
Maximum stay
D-10
D-10-1: 6 months (extendable once to 1 year maximum); D-10-T: up to 3 years total
F-1-D
1 year at a time, renewable up to 3 years total
Health insurance required?
D-10
Enroll in National Health Insurance (NHIS) as a long-term resident
F-1-D
Must hold comprehensive private health insurance covering Korea for the full stay
Path to Korean employment
D-10
Yes — when you receive a job offer, change status to E-series visa (E-7, E-2, etc.)
F-1-D
No direct path — to work for a Korean company, you must change to an appropriate work visa separately
Bring family?
D-10
F-3 dependent visa possible if holder's status qualifies
F-1-D
F-3 dependent visa for spouse and children explicitly authorized for F-1-D holders
Which should you choose?
D-10is right for you if…
You want to find employment in Korea and don't have a job yet
You recently graduated from a Korean or foreign university and want to job-hunt in Korea
You previously held an E-series work visa and are between jobs
Your annual income from a foreign employer is below the F-1-D threshold for your age/region (as low as ~$42,000 for under-35s outside the capital region, up to ~$84,000 for 35+ in the capital region)
F-1-Dis right for you if…
You already work remotely for a company based outside Korea and meet the F-1-D income threshold for your age and intended region of residence
You want to live in Korea for up to 3 years while maintaining your current job
You don't want to go through Korean job market competition — you want to keep your existing career
You have dependents who want to join you in Korea
Typical path:
D-10-1 leads naturally to an E-series work visa (most commonly E-7) when a job offer is secured — change of status can be done inside Korea. F-1-D holders who want to eventually work for Korean companies must separately apply for an appropriate work visa after finding an employer; F-1-D itself does not create a direct pathway to Korean employment.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do freelance work for foreign clients on a D-10 visa?
No. D-10 prohibits commercial work activity. Freelancing or remote work for foreign clients while physically in Korea on D-10 is not authorized. If you are freelancing for foreign clients, F-1-D (Digital Nomad) is the correct visa — provided your income meets the F-1-D threshold for your age and intended region of residence.
What income does F-1-D actually require?
As of a July 2026 update, it's no longer a flat figure — it's tiered by age and by where in Korea you'll live. Ages 18–34: roughly $42,000+/year outside the Seoul/Incheon/Gyeonggi capital region, or $63,000+/year inside it. Age 35+ (or bringing a spouse/minor children, regardless of age): roughly $63,000+/year outside the capital region, or $84,000+/year inside it. Documentation includes employment contract, recent payslips, and a bank statement showing salary deposits. Self-employed individuals with equivalent income may also qualify — consult the Korean consulate for your specific situation.
Can I work for a Korean startup on F-1-D if they pay in USD?
No. F-1-D prohibits employment for any Korean entity regardless of the currency of payment. If your employer is registered in Korea or primarily operates in Korea, you need a Korean work visa (E-7 or similar), not F-1-D.
After F-1-D ends, can I switch to a Korean work visa without leaving?
Yes — status changes from F-1-D to work visas (E-7, etc.) can be processed inside Korea, provided you have a valid job offer from a Korean employer and meet all requirements for the target visa. No need to leave Korea to make this change.
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